County Releases Lexington Park Parade Map
Click to enlarge the map
The heart of Lexington Park will come alive with an inaugural parade and ribbon cutting on Saturday, May 5 to celebrate the completion of the Great Mills Road Streetscape Project. The $9.7 million project provides infrastructure improvements to further the revitalization of Lexington Park.
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department. It will proceed along South Shangri-La Drive to Essex Drive before heading to Great Mills Road. At approximately 10:15 a.m. a brief ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at Essex Drive and Great Mills Road. The parade will then continue to Raley’s Home Furnishings where the parade will end by 11 a.m.
To date, over 600 people are expected to march in the inaugural parade. Many of those are members of community groups, organizations and businesses including the Color Guards from the U.S. Navy and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Great Mills High School Parade Band, Taylor Gas Company, Mike’s Bikes and Bay District Volunteer Fire Department.
The Maryland State Highway Administration oversaw the construction of the 1.4 mile project, which stretched from MD Route 235 (Three Notch Road) to west of Saratoga Drive. Work included replacement of storm drainage, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, roadway reconstruction, landscaping and a number of safety improvements. The project was paid for through a combination of funding sources. The state of Maryland provided $4.5 million of the $9.7 million total cost. The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) added an additional $3.3 million. Federal highway dollars accounted for $1.5 million while St. Mary’s County Commissioners added $450,000.
“SHA is pleased to be a part of the revitalization efforts in Lexington Park,” stated Lee Starkloff, SHA District Engineer for southern Maryland. “Community enhancement projects such as the Great Mills Road Streetscape allows SHA to provide a ‘Main Street’ that enhances safety and supports economic development. It is a shining example of a partnership which results in a great community project.”
“The completion of the Great Mills Road Streetscape is an important part of the revitalization of Lexington Park,” said Francis Jack Russell, Commissioner President. “We realize how important a refurbished Great Mills Road is for Lexington Park and as a gateway to PAX River Naval Air Station. This project reaffirms our commitment to the continued growth of this critical economic area of our county.”
The Lexington Park Business and Community Association is sponsoring the inaugural parade and ribbon cutting. Organizers say this is the beginning of an annual show of community pride and spirit.
“The Great Mills Road Streetscape provides us with a wonderful opportunity to say Lexington Park is back,” said Robin Finnacom, President and CEO of the Community Development Corporation. “The support and excitement from local businesses and residents regarding the Streetscape Project has been tremendous and we feel the parade will become our signature event for years to come.”
Source: St. Mary’s County Public Information Office
