Planner: Michael Baker International
In cooperation with the City of Martinsburg, Berkeley County Council, Berkeley County Board of Education and Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation (MBCPR), MBCPR is developing a new strategic and master plan to help guide MBCPR's future direction. As part of this master plan, Michael Baker International will place special emphasis on the Lake Thomas/West Quarry area and how it can connect to the City's existing park system - specifically War Memorial Park and Oatesdale Park to the future Frog Hollow Recreational Trail.
Lake Thomas consists of 14 acres of land with 9 acres consisting of a former quarry that filled with water. Part of the master plan analysis will determine whether Lake Thomas and surrounding area can be opened to the public and, if so, what steps are required to get there. The property is currently not open to the public and been fenced for many years. This process is an opportunity to take a fresh look at how to connect all the major parks in the City together using the Frog Hollow trail, future Creek Side trail and Lake Thomas. The project will not happen overnight, but the master plan's goal is to set a vision.
Lake Thomas is essentially located in the middle of Martinsburg with W. Martin Street bordering it to the south and Baltimore Street to the north.