2025 Annual Report - Report - Page 24
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2025
RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY
EXPANDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH
STORMWATER POCKET PARKS
The Charles County Resilience Authority, in partnership
with the Charles Count y Department of Recreation,
Parks and Tourism and the Charles County Department
of Planning and Grow th Management, continued
advancing nature-based solutions to address stormwater challenges and strengthen community resilience.
Supported by more than $500,000 in grants from the
Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Watershed Assistance Grant
Program and the Mar yland Depar tment of Natural
Resources’ Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays
Trust Fund, the Waldorf Elite Gymnastics Stormwater
Pocket Park (pictured above)was selected as part of a
$29 million statewide ecological restoration investment
recognizing its benefits to water quality, climate resilience, habitat enhancement, and environmental justice.
meadow, and interactive outdoor elements, is being constructed at Bensville Count y Park. This project provides
on-site restoration that also serves as a demonstration of
how natural features can transform lawns into climate-resilient spaces. Together, these efforts reduce flooding, improve
water qualit y, restore habitat, and lower temperatures in
developed areas — creating cleaner, safer, and more resilient
neighborhoods that enhance residents’ health and overall
quality of life.
Watch the "Your Charles County"
as the County begins turning small
spaces into big environmental wins!
Youtu.be/YpdxmZzGuIA
Stormwater pocket park s t rans form over-paved,
flood-prone areas into functional green spaces with
underground drainage, native plantings, pollinator habitat, and accessible pathways — reducing flooding and
heat while creating shaded community gathering areas.
This approach is demonstrated at the Waldorf Senior and
Recreation Center (pictured, right) and will be expanded
at the Waldorf Elite Gymnastics site, complementing
the nearby Sunshine Art Park.
Suppor ted by a Mar yland DNR Greenspace Equit y
grant, a half-mile ADA-accessible “Nodes of Nature”
Educational Nature Trail, featuring native trees and
plants, a rain garden, soil restoration, a pollinator
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CharlesCountyMD.gov
