This was a particularly rewarding itinerary because it included officials from the County departments of Economic Development and Recreation, eager to learn how they can parlay the resources they have into more tourism and showcase events. But that was only part of the day.
St. Mary’s County has long been the holy grail of high octane set. Within what is now billed as the “Motorsports Corridor” there is Maryland International Raceway, Potomac Speedway, and the legendary Budds Creek, which has hosted international motocross competitions.
Working its way to the starting line is another exciting venture – Tatton Park.
As currently planned, Tatton Park will feature two road courses, an off-road and rally facility, clubhouse, bike trails and a nature preserve. Tatton Park will be available to automobile clubs, and for the holding of national and regional events hosted by organizations including SCCA, NASA, SVRA and CCS Racing.
Tatton Park will also serve community and security needs as a training facility for driver education, accident avoidance and military security. It will feature off-road activities, rally cross, drifting, autocross, karting, and recreational facilities for families and spectators.
In other words, this will be a full service motorsports park in a region already revved. (I’m told the locals are still recovering from the impact of 75,000 visitors swarming Budds Creek in 2007.)
Terry had a good look at some of the superb facilities the county manages, like the Nicole skatepark (one of the best he’s ever seen) Wicomico golf course and Chapitico sports park (which boasts a BMX course as well as multi-use playing fields)
Terry visited the new Hot Shots Disc Golf Course at John G. Lancaster Park, part of the redeveloped Lexington Manor military housing. The 18-hole course sits where the old flattops used to be and offers a great space for outdoor recreation in addition to this emerging sport. Disc Golf uses plastic discs and elevated basket targets. The course at Lancaster, which opened in October, is free to the public from sunrise to sunset.
After seeing these private and public resources, Terry ventured to the College of St. Mary’s where he saw first hand the relationship between the school and the natural resources of Maryland. The sweeping shoreline of the campus offers access to the waterways of the state, which is why the small school is so renown in the sailing and rowing communities. (St. Mary’s organizes the popular Governor’s Cup regatta, an annual overnight race down the Bay from Annapolis.)
The sailing facilities are wonderful, but we have to get in a word for Terry’s special interest – the natatorium. St. Mary’s has a beautiful natatorium, as befitting a college which enjoys such a close relationship with the water.
Terry wants to express special thanks to Carolyn Laray, of Economic Development, and Phil Rollins of Recreation and Parks, who showed him so much of what the County has to offer. Shoutouts to Hans Welch and Bob Schaller who also participated in his adventure, and to those representatives from the hospitality industry who came to hear Terry tell them how important sports tourism is to the economy and how much potential Maryland has in this growing market.
St. Mary’s is a gem, for Maryland history, natural beauty, and high energy fun.Next time, invite me!
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