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Families and friends of Roger Layton and Sarah Mueller gathered for a joint dedication at the park, which is on Route 16 north of Preston and south of Denton.

A fence for the park鈥檚 ball field got a new addition: a plaque cementing it as Roger Layton Memorial Field, named after the former Caroline County commissioner and longtime youth softball and baseball coach.

In front of the park鈥檚 pavilion, a large plaque set on brick dedicated the park to Sarah Mueller, a well-known community volunteer and former Character Counts coach at Preston Elementary School. Character Counts coaches teach trustworthiness, respect and fairness to school-age kids.

Current Caroline County commissioners and other officials attended and spoke to the expansive impacts both Layton and Mueller had on the local community.

Stacy Seward, one many local softball players coached by Layton, recalled fond memories of her former mentor.

鈥淗e created lasting memories for so many young athletes,鈥� said Seward, the county鈥檚 grants coordinator. 鈥淔or example, teaching us how to slide in the playground sand at Denton Elementary School, saying 鈥業f I can get my old body down here, you girls can too.鈥欌��

Steward said he was key to creating the county鈥檚 first ever softball travel team.

鈥淗e was the true backbone to girls鈥� softball, not only in Caroline County, but to the entire Eastern Shore,鈥� Seward said.

Commission Vice President Larry Porter said Layton, a commissioner of eight years and former investigator for the State鈥檚 Attorney鈥檚 Office, always put Caroline County first.

Daughter Jaclyn Crawford said her father鈥檚 鈥渞eal gift was his deep commitment to young people.鈥�

鈥淚n each role, he was known for his competitive spirit, but above all, his determination to make life safer and better for the community,鈥� Crawford said.

In addition to Crawford, other family members of Roger Layton who attended Saturday鈥檚 dedication included: wife Faye Layton, sister Rena Callahan, stepfather Ronald Sard, granddaughter Madison Weston, cousin Rick Davis and more.

After Layton鈥檚 sign was unveiled, the curtain was removed off of a large plaque dedicated to Mueller. Husband John Mueller then reflected on his wife鈥檚 knack for helping people.

鈥淚f she heard that you needed something, she鈥檇 be the one to offer,鈥� her husband said. 鈥� ... She was always there first.鈥�

He recalled not just her volunteer efforts as a character coach for elementary school kids, but also her assistance in collecting dog and cat food for the local Humane Society.

In addition to John Mueller, his four kids and six grandchildren attended Saturday鈥檚 dedication, as well as Sarah鈥檚 mom, Jessie Browne.

Around four years ago, the Mueller family donated $20,000 to the county for upkeep and improvements at Harmony Community Park, including to the pavilion, walking trails and playground.

County commissioners thanked the Mueller family for their donation to the park and spoke about Sarah Mueller鈥檚 lasting legacy.

鈥淪arah was more than a neighbor,鈥� Porter said. 鈥淪he was a friend, volunteer, mother and a mentor who gave so much of herself to this community, from her time as a Character Counts coach to her years with the Girl Scouts, where she poured her love into children and back.

鈥淏y placing her name here at Harmony Park, we make sure her kindness, spirit and her legacy will always be a part of this place.鈥�