Concrete To Green In Charles County Transforms Asphalt Into Pocket Parks

WALDORF, Md. — Two pocket parks in Waldorf were highlighted as examples of how small-scale green infrastructure projects can deliver outsized benefits during the Feb. 3, 2026, Charles County Board of Commissioners meeting, as officials received an annual briefing from the Resilience Authority of Charles County.

The projects — a stormwater pocket park at the Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center and an ADA-accessible pocket park at the Waldorf Senior and Recreation Center — are part of the authority’s broader “Concrete to Green” initiative, which targets heat islands, stormwater runoff, and limited access to green space in urbanized areas.

During the presentation, staff said both sites were identified through heat-mapping and stormwater data as locations where extensive pavement, compacted soil, and limited tree canopy contributed to higher temperatures, increased flooding risk, and reduced public usability.

The project converts that impervious surface into bioretention areas designed to capture and absorb stormwater, reduce heat buildup, and improve safety. Earth-moving construction has been completed, and planting with native trees, shrubs, and groundcover is scheduled as weather conditions allow.

The Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center pocket park held a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

During the discussion, it was noted that recent winter weather highlighted the project’s value, as redesigned drainage prevented the widespread icing that had previously occurred at the site. Once completed, the pocket park is expected to provide cooling shade, absorb stormwater runoff, improve air quality, support wildlife habitat, and offer a welcoming gathering space for summer camps, parents, and visitors.

Funded by Charles County and supported in part by a Chesapeake Bay Trust grant, the park includes the planting of 17 native trees to expand the urban canopy in an area identified as a heat island.

Designed at the request of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, the park is fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible and features four garden areas with native pollinator beds and butterfly houses. The gardens include ADA-compliant seating and picnic tables designed for wheelchair users.

Before construction, the area consisted largely of compacted soil and pavement with minimal shade or usable gathering space. The completed pocket park now provides shaded seating, pollinator habitat, and stormwater absorption while creating an accessible outdoor gathering area for seniors and visitors.

Commissioners noted during the meeting that the space began to be used almost immediately after installation, even before the surrounding trees and plants had fully matured. Officials said the project reflects the importance of smaller neighborhood green spaces in urban areas like Waldorf, where opportunities for large park development are limited.

Authority staff said education has become a core component of the program, noting that a green infrastructure training initiative launched in 2025 included multiple sessions with county agencies and environmental partners. The goal, staff said, is to ensure long-term performance of the parks while expanding local understanding of climate-resilient design.

“The Resilience Authority has instituted a green infrastructure training program, and this year in cooperation with county parks we had five educational seminars from the Charles County Soil Conservation District, from DNR Wildlife, to talk about why we are using these nature-based methods, all aspects and all of the benefits,” said Stacy Schaefer, executive director of the Resilience Authority of Charles County.

She added that the authority plans to expand the training through its Youth Corps and community workshops.

Officials emphasized that while pocket parks are modest in size, they play a critical role in addressing heat, flooding, and equity concerns in built-out communities. By improving safety, comfort, and access to green space, staff said the projects support both climate adaptation and everyday quality of life.

The two Waldorf pocket park projects were presented as part of the $5.76 million in outside funding secured by the Resilience Authority of Charles County by the end of 2025, which officials outlined during the same Feb. 3 briefing. Authority staff said the funding supports climate resilience initiatives countywide, including stormwater management, heat mitigation, and expanded access to green space, without relying on county taxpayer dollars.

“Wherever we can fit pockets of native nature, we’re going to do that because they absorb storm water, they cool the air, and they give the community a place to gather. And that’s resilience,” said Schaefer.

Watch the Feb. 3 Meeting: CCGTV
See the complete Feb. 3, 2026, presentation here.

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