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Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $46,691 for Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties
Program Open Space funds are allocated for recreation facilities and parkland
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Continuing his support for county park projects, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. recently announced Board of Public Works approval of $46,691 in Program Open Space funds for Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties.“Today’s approvals involve a tennis court, a basketball court, a playground, and additional acres for a well-used park,” said Governor Ehrlich. “I am pleased that we are able to assist the residents of four towns improve their local recreation facilities.”
The total allocation of $46,691 will fund four projects in four counties:
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.
- Caroline County: The Board approved $2,494 in additional Program Open Space funding to complete the resurfacing of the Preston tennis courts, located behind Preston Elementary School. The surface cracks caused by the freeze-thaw cycle will be repaired by applying a layer of asphalt over a layer of stone dust. The courts support community recreation, instructional clinics, and the physical education program at the school.
- Dorchester County: The Board approved $6,750 in Program Open Space funds to grade and resurface the basketball court on Glasgow Street in Cambridge and to install benches along the sidelines. The facility, adjacent to the Busick Tennis Court Complex, is used extensively during spring, summer, and fall months by various age groups.
- Kent County: The Board approved $7,000 in Program Open Space funds to help the town of Galena purchase and install playground equipment at the new Galena Community Park. The park, built on 2 acres of donated land, is located in the Dogwood Village subdivision, which consists of more than 100 new residences. Galena had been the only municipality in Kent County that had no park for its residents.
- Queen Anne’s County: The Board approved $30,447 as a second phase of Program Open Space funding to acquire 11 acres adjacent to Grasonville Park. This expansion of the existing 28-acre park will allow a walking trail to be added, thereby increasing recreational opportunities in the rapidly growing central portion of the county. This acquisition also prevents residential development and preserves the existing woodland, which serves as wildlife habitat and buffers tributaries flowing into Marshy Creek and the Chesapeake Bay.
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