Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $656,980 in Program Open Space Funds for St. Mary’s County
Park Expansion Benefits Lexington Park and the U.S. Navy
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Restating his commitment to expanding recreational opportunities in Maryland’s counties, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today announced Board of Public Works approval of $656,980 in Program Open Space funds to help acquire a blighted area in St. Mary’s County for conversion to parkland.
“Lexington Park is a prominent population center in St. Mary’s County,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Today’s approval will allow a blighted area to be transformed into additional recreational space and resolve a major concern of the U.S. Navy—namely, development encroachment on the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.”
The Board approved $656,980 in Program Open Space funds to enable the acquisition of 50 acres on Route 235 in Lexington Park. This allocation supplements other federal, state, and local funds, which cover the bulk of the purchase price. The property is contiguous to the John G. Lancaster Park and will double the size of the existing park.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Program Open Space is a nationally recognized program that provides funding for Maryland’s state and local parks and conservation areas. More than 4,500 county and municipal park and conservation projects have been completed through the program, improving the quality of life for millions of Marylanders.
Posted June 23, 2004