Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $990,056 for Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties
Playgrounds and athletic facilities among projects funded through Program Open Space

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Restating his intent to support county park and recreation projects whenever possible, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $990,056 in Program Open Space funds for Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties.

“The projects funded today include playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, and park pavilions,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Throughout the year, Maryland residents will make great use of these outdoor facilities.”

The total allocation of $990,056 funds 13 projects in four counties:

Allegany County:

• The Board approved $94,350 for improvements at the Lonaconing Recreational Area in the town of Lonaconing. Projects include installing lighting and new fencing at the ballfield and paving the basketball court.
• $37,873 to pave an existing gravel walkway and parking area and to construct a stage at Creekside Park in Westernport.

Frederick County:

• $59,100 to replace unsafe playground equipment at Cone’s Branch Pocket Park in the town of Middletown.
• $27,640 to install playground equipment, a handicapped-accessible ramp, benches, trash receptacles, picnic tables, and lights at Kim Weddle Park in the town of Brunswick.
• $50,000 to purchase new playground equipment and to install the items at Maryvale Park in the city of Frederick.

Garrett County:

• $90,558 to install tennis court lighting, token boxes, a storage building, and a batting cage at Grantsville Community Park in the town of Grantsville.
• $87,228 to install a handicapped-accessible walkway and trail at Mountain Lake Park-Crystal Springs in the town of Mountain Lake Park.
• $17,500 to purchase new playground and fitness equipment and to install these items and safety surface at the Park at Glades West in the town of Oakland.
• $120,000 to construct a walkway and tennis court and to install lighting and sound equipment, fencing, and gates at Friendsville Community Park in the town of Friendsville.
• $64,350 to install handicapped-accessible restrooms, a concession stand, and a pavilion at Town Park East in the town of Accident.
• $85,133 to pave the parking lot and to install a walking trail, a retaining wall, benches, and a picnic table at Loch Lynn Heights Athletic Field Complex in the town of Loch Lynn Heights.

Washington County:

• $107,759 to construct a new pavilion with a restroom facility at City Park in Hagerstown.
• $148,565 to build a new pavilion, construct a new basketball court, and grade and seed the multipurpose field at Smithsburg Veterans Park in the town of Smithsburg.

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.

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources 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