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Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $630,350 for Anne Arundel and Montgomery Counties
Trail project and park expansion receive Program Open Space support
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Restating his desire to help counties fund park projects, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $630,350 in Program Open Space funds for Anne Arundel, Harford, and Montgomery Counties.“Today’s approvals aid a trail project and add land to Great Seneca Stream Valley Park,” said Governor Ehrlich. “In its own way, each project promotes a perfect combination: healthy exercise and the great outdoors.”
The total allocation of $630,350 funds two projects in two 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.
- Anne Arundel County: The Board approved $150,350 in Program Open Space funds to acquire 6 acres on Patuxent Road for off-road parking along the Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis (WB&A) Trail between Odenton and the Patuxent River. The shoulders of this rural road are too narrow to accommodate safe parking, and no other appropriate sites are available on this trail segment. The trail, which follows the bed of the old WB&A Railroad, is intended for walking, jogging, cycling, rollerblading, and horseback riding.
- Montgomery County: The Board approved $480,000 in Program Open Space funds to acquire14 acres for Unit 8 of the 1,701-acre Great Seneca Stream Valley Park. Unit 8 currently contains 107 acres. Public use of this parcel of fallow farmland east of Great Seneca Creek between Woodfield School Road and Hawkins Creamery Road will be limited to hiking, horseback riding, and nature study. This acquisition prevents the development of four home sites, avoids damage to the creek from the bridging that would be required for an access road to the lots, and preserves the visual appeal and undeveloped condition of this natural area.
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