User:Lnmmack/sandbox

This is my sandbox for the stub article "Piney Run Park" on Wikipedia. An Evaluation of the Article "Piney Run Park" 1. Are the facts presented in the article relevant to the topic, neutral, and backed up by reliable sources?"Yes, all facts in the beginning of the article are relevant. The first section, titled Piney Run Park, describes Piney Run's historical background, including the motivation for creating the park and its construction. They are objective and contain a reliable reference (the Maryland Department of Natural Resources). However, there is only one reference for the entire article which is problematic, since other information reaffirming the background and purpose of the park should be able to be located if the subject is notable enough to exist on Wikipedia. Since this source is a recognized stub and part of two Wikipedia projects, WikiProject Maryland and WikiProject Environment, it seems like its notability as been affirmed by Wikipedia experts and is missing a dedicated editor to add the references it needs.""This article runs into some more serious problems when the second section is examined, titled Piney Run Nature Center, which is a more recent addition created for the park's upkeep and recreational function. However, this section has clearly been edited by an affiliate or employee of Piney Run Park's Nature Center, which is exemplified in segments like: 'Along with our exhibits there is a children’s room for exploration and learning and we are home to a number of native animals.' The clear conflict of interest of this editor/editing style undermines the credibility in this section of the article, even though the facts presented may be able to be consolidated by other credible sources. Additionally, the facts included in this section of the article are vague. For example, they state that Piney Run Park is home to 'a number of native animals.' The first paragraph notes that the park is used for 'boating, fishing and wildlife conservation,' and so the article could benefit from a more in-depth overview of these uses, such as the types of native and possibly endangered species that Piney Run Park is home to (this is especially relevant to the WikiProjects the article is a part of)."2. Is any information missing or out of date? "There is a lot of information missing from this article, including mention of the structures which exist as part of Piney Run Park's public services, the mention and functioning of Carroll County's Department of Recreation within Piney Run Park, and a more in-depth overview of the natural environment being conserved and used for recreation in the park. The page was last edited in March of 2018, so it may contain some information that is out of date, such as the current acreage of the park, but further research would be required to determine this."

Key for editing work: Italics mean that it is was already in the article and is not being removed. Strikethrough means that it was already in the article and is being removed. Regular font means that it is my work and I plan to add it to the article.

= First Draft Edits for "Piney Run Park" = * REQUESTED PICTURE OF PINEY RUN PARK (TO BE TAKEN OVER NEXT WEEKEND)*

Piney Run Park is a nature park in Sykesville, located in Carroll County, Maryland. It is Carroll County's oldest developed park and hosts thousands of visitors annually. ''The park encompasses 550 acres of fields, forest and open spaces, features over 5 miles of hiking trails, a 300 acre lake and many sports and recreational facilities. Prior to being a park, this land was a private farm.''

''The Piney Run project was initiated in 1964 to provide southeastern Carroll County with a future water supply, a site for outdoor recreation, and for protection from flooding. Construction of a 73 foot high earthen dam began in 1973 and was completed 16 months later. This created the 300 acre lake that is used for boating, fishing and wildlife conservation. A portion of the 500 acres surrounding the lake has been developed for recreational use. The remaining land is conserved in its natural state. The lake is 50 feet deep at the lowest part, just in front of the dam.''

''Piney Run Park officially began operations in 1976. At this time, the only building in the Park was the entrance station. The Park Manager had his office at that location, and all Park business, including rental of boats, occurred there.''

Since 1976, many structures have been erected throughout the park, including the Nature Center and the boathouse. Semi-permanent structures have also been added, such as picnic tables, six pavilions, two playgrounds, an amphitheater, and basketball and tennis courts. Additionally, a steel sculpture titled "The Great Blue Heron," created by local Sykesville artist Virginia Sperry, was installed in March of 2018 off-shore near the boathouse.

Piney Run Nature Center
''The Nature Center was completed in 1981 and is staffed by the park naturalists and volunteers. It offers programs throughout the year to a variety of school, youth and community organizations.'' Along with our exhibits there is a children’s room for exploration and learning and we are home to a number of native animals. The Nature Center features living exhibits and informative displays pertaining to the history and ecosystem of Piney Run Park. The center also has designated rooms for young children and environmental education.

The Center offers environmental education, summer camp and birthday party programs. Along with our exhibits there is a children’s room for exploration and learning and we are home to a number of native animals. The first annual apple festival was held at Piney Run Park in 1986 and continues to this day.

The center's naturalists operate the Nature Center and are available to answer visitor questions. Piney Run Nature Center staff offer environmental education, a part of the center's "mother nature program series," and birthday parties, which are available to the public. The Nature Center is a sponsor of the Piney Run Nature Camp, a summer program open to kids in kindergarten and up to 8th grade. Piney Run Nature Center also holds an annual event called the Apple Festival, which began in 1981.

Smaller structures surround the nature center. These include the Yak Shak, the Yurt, and the outdoor bird cages. The Yak Shak holds some of the park's kayaks, which residents can rent from the boathouse. The Yurt is a space which can be rented for various public and private activities, including birthday parties.

Piney Run Reservoir
The geographical boundaries of Piney Run Park encompass Piney Run Reservoir, a 300 acre man-made, freshwater lake finished in 1974. The reservoir's deepest point is 50 feet and its dam is 73 feet high. It is a tributary of the South Branch Patapsico River Piney Run Reservoir has four established coves: Farm Cove, Kickout Cove, Dot's Cove, and Nature Center Cove. Floating piers and standing platforms are located around the lake. Additionally, a restricted wildlife area exists in the northwest point of the reservoir which exists for the purposes of channel catfish propagation. Boating and fishing is permitted in areas other than the restricted wildlife area, but swimming and boats with gasoline motors are not allowed. Fishing tournaments and boating events are hosted throughout the open season. Night fishing has been permitted at various times during the open season.

Piney Run Reservoir is stocked with multiple species of fish by the Maryland Freshwater Fisheries Division. Common species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, redear sunfish, yellow perch, and black crappie. Other species include striped bass, tiger musky, various native sunfish species, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead and annually stocked rainbow trout.

Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata is a non-native plant and inside species which can be found in the reservoir ecosystem and is visible throughout the lake. The presence of hydrilla may influence the water clarity of Piney Run Reservoir.

Peer Review:

I quite liked what you did in the beginning of your sandbox. You addressed the conflicts of interest as well as the bias coming from what appeared to be an employee or someone who is extremely biased towards the park. You also addressed the limited or outright missing information in the article. Your bibliography is quite organized as well. I rather enjoy looking at it. You clearly did your research, as you talk quite a bit about the structures within the park. I'm not sure if it's in the stub article, but I would've liked to know a bit more about what animals were actually present at the facility.

- MasterOfCider