Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $41,324 in Program Open Space Funds for Howard County
Funding helps complete acquisitions for North Laurel Community Park
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Citing his continuing support for county parks, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $41,324 in Program Open Space funds for parkland in Howard County.“For families in particular, a neighborhood park means a better quality of life,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Before the development of North Laurel Community Park, the nearest parks were miles away.”
The Board approved $41,324 to help acquire the eight remaining building lots of an acquisition totaling 23 acres, the site on which Howard County has been developing North Laurel Community Park. Because additional costs exceed $200,000, the county will probably request further assistance next year. No other large tracts were available in this high-growth area north of Laurel. Most users are able to get to the park by walking, not driving. This project indirectly protects the Patuxent River by allowing county-owned land along this major Chesapeake tributary to remain undeveloped.
DNR’s Program Open Space is a nationally recognized program that provides funding for Maryland’s state and local parks and conservation areas. More than 4,600 county and municipal park and conservation projects have been completed through the program, improving the quality of life for millions of Marylanders.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to Maryland citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 435,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, as well as Maryland's wildlife and fishery species for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, the department manages natural, historic and cultural resources that attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov