by Geoff Fox
Washington County Commissioners approved $175,000 for Sideling Hill Overlook Park west of Hancock on Scenic Rt. 540 and will move it into the county’s park system.
The commissioners made the approval during their October 15 meeting.
In a text message to the Hancock News, Commissioner Wayne Keefer said the small park would become the first county park in Hancock.
The motion was to approve the budget adjustment of $175,000 from the General CIP Reserves to the newly created Sideling Hill Overlook Park account for the renovation of the overlook area.
Director of Public Works Andrew Eshleman said the renovation of the park had been discussed at a commissioners’ meeting held in Hancock this past July. 
The overlook park was constructed by the state but closed and included in the road conveyance to the county in 1987.
In 2015, the overlook area was reopened to the public by the county, however, no substantial investment or maintenance of the overlook area has occurred in that time.
County staff evaluated the existing conditions and received input on the desired outcome which includes, but not limited to; paving resurfacing, picnic shelter and construction and new seating, drainage structure replacement, lighting, viewshed clearance, signage and landscaping.
The cost estimate assumes county employees would do the majority of work, but Eshleman said contractors could be used for specialized services.
Once the work is completed, the overlook would be managed as part of the Washington County Park system.
Signage, Eshelman added, would be for the park itself as well as signage along Interstate 68 highlighting the park.
During the meeting, Keefer thanked fellow commissioners Jeff Cline and John Barr for looking at the location with him, as well as others, and for their efforts.
“What we’re doing here is creating a new park in Washington County,” Keefer said. “That’s an exciting thing.”
The park, he added, bookends Washington County with Sideling Hill Overlook Park on the western end of the county and PenMar Park in Cascade on the eastern end, as well as the southern border of the county with the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
Keefer noted the Sideling Hill Overlook Park will be the furthest west park in Washington County.
Eshleman pointed out at the bottom of the overlook is Sideling Hill Creek, which is the border between Washington and Allegany Counties.
Eshleman said some of the work could start this winter, but some things, such as lighting, have already started, but filling in gaps with county employees when available keeps the cost down. Those employees also have other commitments such as roads and other parks.
He said the hope is by spring, there could be substantial improvements at the overlook.
“It will happen gradually in phases,” he said.
There will also be several thousand dollars in ongoing annual maintenance and reoccurring costs associated with the park that will be added to the Parks Department’s operating budget.
Commissioners unanimously approved the $175,00 for the new park.
