City of Salisbury

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 Salisbury City Park
City Park

Welcome to the Salisbury City Park! 

      

City Park Description:   The Salisbury City Park is the largest municipal park within the City limits. It encompasses 113 acres of land along Beaver Dam Creek from Snow Hill Rd to Beaglin Park Dr. 

Some of the attractions located within the park:

  • Salisbury Zoological Park
  • Lighted tennis courts
  • Ball fields
  • Picnic areas and pavilions
  • Several playground areas, including Ben's Red Swings
  • Paddle boat rentals
  • Hiking and bike trails
  • The Francis J Tilghman Dog Park
  • Lighted horseshoe court

The Salisbury Community Band Performs its summer concert series annually in the historic bandstand. In the winter, the west side of the park is the site of the "Winter Wonderland" display of lights.

      

History of the City Park   The area that encompasses the Salisbury City Park was once covered by Humphrey’s Lake. The City Park owes its existence to the failure of the Humphrey’s Lake mill dam on May 29, 1909. After the lake was drained, the area east of the railroad bridge was an abandoned wasteland. In 1925, Salisbury Mayor Thomas L Parker Sr. negotiated the purchase of the 53 acre exposed lake bottom for $5000, in order to construct a new municipal water plant and well field.

Since the new water system only took up a small portion of the lake bottom, the balance of the land was developed as the municipal park. In 1927, Mayor Parker appointed the first Park Commission to oversee the park.

Winding through the early park was the east prong of the Wicomico River, spanned by a series of simple timber footbridges. The devastating Atlantic storm of August 1933 damaged the Schumaker Lake dam, flooding the park and destroying most of the improvements.

In the years following this storm, with aid from Depression Era federal work programs such as the WPA, the park lands were redesigned and improved with trees, shrubs, bridges, roads and walkways. Two of the most distinctive structures built during this time were the octagonal bandstand and the arched footbridge. The electric water fountain was built prior to the Salisbury Bicentennial in 1932. The Salisbury Zoo, at the east end of the park, was founded in 1954, when a few animals were placed on permanent exhibit within the park.

Information courtesy of:
Paul Baker Touart (2008)
At the Crossroads: The Architectural History of Wicomico County, Maryland 


City Park Committee   The City Park Committee (CPC), established by the City of Salisbury, serves as an advisory body to the Mayor and City Council concerning all matters pertaining to the City Park. The purpose of this committee is to assist the City of Salisbury in the operation, management and promotion of the City Park for the enjoyment of the citizens of Salisbury and the surrounding region.

The CPC holds regular meetings at 6:00PM on the third Thursday of every month on the third floor of the Government Office Building in downtown Salisbury. The public is encouraged to attend these meetings.

Current officers are listed below: 

  • Chris Roberts - Chair
  • Katherine Gunby - Secretary
   

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If you have any questions, corrections, or comments on the Public Works web pages, please contact Salisbury Public Works at (410) 548-3170.