New Concession Stand Planned For Chancellors Run Park, Bringing Snacks And Meals Back To The Fields

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Families spending long evenings at Chancellors Run Regional Park may soon have one less thing to pack before heading to games. A new concession stand is expected to open by the end of May after the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved an operating agreement with a local catering business during their May 19 meeting.

The agreement allows Lexington Park resident Stacy Ray Seldon, owner of Giselle’s Catering and Soul Food and Barbecue, to operate the park’s snack bar under a seasonal agreement that could last up to five years with annual renewals. The approval follows a Request for Proposals issued by the Department of Recreation and Parks in March.

Director of Recreation and Parks Ray Bivens said reopening the snack bar has been a frequent request since he joined the department.

“Since coming as director, I’ve heard multiple times that people miss having that snack bar open to the public,” Bivens told commissioners. “It’s probably the snack bar that is best suited to serve as a snack bar. It’s a great location, and if all goes well, she’s ready to be opened by the end of the month.”

According to a memo presented to commissioners, the snack bar has remained closed for several years, despite repeated requests from sports league leaders, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and community members to reopen it.

Affordable Options For Families

Seldon said her goal is to keep prices reasonable for families who often spend hours at youth sporting events.

Menu offerings are expected to include hot dogs, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, chili cheese fries, walking tacos, snacks, beverages, popcorn, candy and grab-and-go options aimed at younger children.

“My menu is going to have family-friendly prices,” Seldon said. “You come out there with a family of five or six, you want to eat for at least $30 or $40 … that’s the way I’m gonna try to price it.”

Commissioners emphasized affordability as a priority, noting many families attend multiple games each week and spend entire evenings at the park.

Bivens added that county officials intentionally sought a vendor who would avoid “festival pricing” often seen at larger events.

“When we first talked to her, she made clear that she’s not looking to do any kind of festival pricing,” Bivens said. “You see … $8 for a hot dog … things like that.”

A Community Service More Than A Revenue Source

Under the agreement, St. Mary’s County will receive 8% of monthly gross receipts from concession sales while covering utility costs and repairs to county-owned equipment used in the facility. The county does not expect the arrangement to generate significant profit.

“We will not be making money, maybe a little bit,” Bivens said. “We hope to cover our expenses … I don’t see it as a profit center for us, but just a community service.”

The agreement also requires background checks for concession workers using the same screening standards applied to county coaches and volunteers, officials said.

Supporting Youth Sports Experience

Commissioners and staff said reopening the snack bar could improve the overall experience for families while reducing responsibilities often placed on volunteers.

Commissioner Mike Alderson reflected on years spent coaching youth soccer and helping run concession stands.

“Having an outside vendor come in and do this, it just relieves parents from having to volunteer, relieves the directors from having to try to manage the thing, and provides a much wider array of snacks,” Alderson said.

The concession operation will be seasonal rather than year-round, with schedules adjusted around sporting events and park activity levels. Seldon said she expects to remain open until approximately 8:30 p.m. most evenings, with later hours possible during busy tournaments or extended game schedules.

Additional Safety Measures At Chancellors Run

Discussion around the concession stand also led to updates on recent safety concerns at Chancellors Run Regional Park.

Bivens said the county partnered with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office to increase patrols following reports of disruptive behavior and unsupervised gatherings.

“We are paying for some overtime shifts to come in,” Bivens said, adding that league leadership reported improvements following the increased law enforcement presence.

The county also plans to install fencing near the softball Hall of Fame area to discourage unsupervised evening gatherings.

Commissioners unanimously approved the concession operating agreement.

According to county documents, the county recommends the agreement with Giselle’s Catering as a way to restore a long-requested amenity while improving convenience for families attending games and tournaments at one of St. Mary’s County’s busiest recreation hubs.

Click here to view a video description of Chancellors Run Regional Park.

To watch the full video of the operating agreement at 54:04.

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