The Town of Hillsboro recently purchased a residential property that will be used to expand the current Hillsboro Park facility. The acquisition was made thanks to a partnership with Caroline County Recreation and Parks and funding from the State of Maryland’s Program Open Space program.

The vacant one-acre property, located adjacent to the current park with frontage on Church Street, will expand the park’s overall footprint and alleviate the negative impact on the surrounding properties left by the neglected land. Public input will be sought in the latter half of 2021 regarding future uses for the land, while the buildings on the property will be removed in the interim.

“We are excited to begin redevelopment of 22025 Church Street and the potential to grow the park amenities available to our residents,” Hillsboro Commission President Ross Benincasa said. “We are especially thankful to Caroline County, the County’s Recreation and Parks Department, and the State of Maryland’s Board of Public Works for prioritizing this venture to convert a blighted property into a public space for our community.”

While public input will be sought to develop the space, initial planning includes keeping existing non-invasive vegetation and introducing more native plants to create a tranquil walking and outdoor meeting space. This project coincides with the town’s recent Sustainable Community accreditation and goals surrounding community development and property remediation.