'Much progress has been made' - A message from the Association President

Spring is finally here, and it is great to see more faces moving around the Pines. It was a long winter, but so much progress has been made against the COVID-19 pandemic. Many OP residents have received both vaccinations, and the number grows daily. I hope everyone sees the light at the end of the tunnel. I believe we are very close to normalcy.

The budget process is complete, with a $10 assessment increase for non-bulkheaded lots and an additional $100 increase for bulkheaded lots. Unfortunately, the cost of materials for bulkheading has skyrocketed and we are now paying the prices. The Board chose to increase the bulkheaded lots’ assessment last year, this year, and probably next year to keep up with the costs.

The Bainbridge drainage project is underway and Comcast has completed construction in Ocean Pines. You may have noticed the bulkhead work taking place in Terns Landing. Our Public Works and maintenance crews are busy getting Ocean Pines ready for the upcoming summer season. Although Governor Hogan has relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions, we are still not sure
how this summer season will go.

As a result of the work by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee, kayak racks will be available for rental this summer. I am also happy to inform the community that the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department, led by Debbie Donahue, is doing preliminary investigations into building the first and only handicapped playground in Ocean Pines and Worcester County in the Bainbridge Park area. Debbie will be working with the county and state in the coming months to develop plans and funding for this project. We continue to try and find ways to make Ocean Pines inclusive for all our residents and guests. This project is another great idea emanating from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee.

Finally, the Worcester County Veterans Memorial will be hosting The Wall That Heals from April 20 through April 25. This is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. This is a great honor for Ocean Pines, Worcester County and the state. This traveling wall, which is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, does not usually award locations in states near the original wall, but has made an exception for the Worcester County Veterans Memorial.

I hope everyone remains safe and can finally get out and enjoy our amenities as they start opening for 2021.