At a meeting of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) on June 8th, 2021 the authority voted by unanimous vote to expand the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West (MMGTW) Heritage Areas boundary to include the property of 1249 Bumble Bee Road. This parcel, owned by the Garrett County Government, is managed and maintained by the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club (DCLLC). The property currently holds a ball field, pavilion, dog park, ten miles of trails and historical and art exhibits honoring the life of Garrett County’s first frontiersman, Meshach Browning.
“The expansion of this property into our boundary will allow the club to secure funding to assist them with future heritage related projects and continue to grow and develop for both locals and visitors,” said Kim Folk, Heritage Area and Groups Director of the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area, a program of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.
The Deep Creek Lake Lions Club has expressed an interest in pursuing funding for numerous projects that will enhance the property and educate visiting tourists. The property currently has five interpretative panels about the life and times of Meshach Browning, along with a wooden carved art piece dedicated to Browning. Future plans include moving a donated log cabin to the property to serve as a small museum, in assistance with the Garrett County Historical Society.
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is the largest professional business association in the region with 600 members representing every industry in the community. The mission of the Chamber is to organize, support and represent Garrett County’s business community in advancing common interests and additionally to promote Garrett County’s hospitality and recreation industry by attracting visitors to the county through comprehensive marketing. The Garrett County Chamber also serves as the Destination Marketing Organization and Heritage Area Management entity for the County.
