| Press Releases | DNR Press Room | Search DNR | DNR Home |
Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $4.7 Million for Nine Maryland Counties Park improvements, recreation projects, and conservation efforts receive funding
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $4,747,318 in Program Open Space and Rural Legacy funds for counties throughout the state. The Board is composed of Governor Ehrlich, Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp.“Today’s approvals fund a variety of park improvements and recreation projects,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Additionally, a combination of conservation easements and land acquisitions will bring permanent protection to approximately 1000 acres of forest and farmland and seven miles of riparian buffers.”
A total allocation of $4,747,318 will fund 15 projects in nine counties:
Allegany County
- The Board approved $29,813 in Program Open Space funds to install play equipment and a storage shed for maintenance and field equipment at the Holly Avenue Recreation Area in La Vale.
- The Board approved $16,328 n Program Open Space funds to pave the existing walking path with shale and to install new play equipment at the La Vale Lions Field.
Baltimore County
- The Board approved $618,000 in Program Open Space funds for bridge construction and road improvements at the 370-acre Cromwell Valley Park, located just south of Loch Raven Reservoir. A low bridge spanning Minebank Run and servicing the main entry road will be relocated to replace a makeshift crossing over a tributary of Minebank Run. This upgrade ensures a safe emergency route to or from the Merrick area and allows better access for park maintenance and management vehicles. A new bridge will be constructed over the 100-year flood plain to replace the old low bridge, and the dirt road that runs between the Sherwood and Merrick areas will be paved.
Calvert County
Frederick County
- The Board approved $772,891 in Rural Legacy funds to acquire a conservation easement on 116 acres of the Campbell Farm in the Calvert Creeks Rural Legacy Area. The property, which lies on a peninsula between the Patuxent River and St. Leonard Creek, is two-thirds wooded and one-third agricultural, and its green-infrastructure rating is excellent. This acquisition protects the rural character of the area and more than a mile of riparian buffers along a stream that drains into St. Leonard Creek. Calvert County will hold the easement title.
- The Board approved $538,606 in Rural Legacy funds to acquire the 153-acre Goldstein Farm in the Calvert Creeks Rural Legacy Area. The property, nearly all wooded and used for timber production in accord with a forest management plan, has a green-infrastructure rating of excellent. This acquisition provides for public access trails to adjacent state-owned land and protects water quality by maintaining 4,200 feet of forested buffers along streams that flow into Parker Creek. Calvert County will hold the easement title.
- The Board approved $14,000 in Program Open Space funds for improvements at Woodsboro Regional Park. The plans are to resurface 1000 feet of park paths, build a road from the maintenance building to the new restroom building, and install plywood ceilings in three pavilions and four dugouts.
Harford County
- The Board approved $400,000 in Program Open Space funds to develop Rutledge Park on a 35-acre site in the Jarrettsville community. This project involves constructing two baseball and softball diamonds, three fields for soccer and lacrosse, an entrance road and parking lot, and support facilities. Reforestation through the county and the DNR Forest Service will enhance wetland buffer zones.
Montgomery County
- The Board approved $133,931 in Rural Legacy funds to acquire a conservation easement on 31 acres of the Poss property, located in the Mid-Maryland Montgomery Rural Legacy Area. This acquisition will protect 11 acres of active farmland, 20 acres of forest, 5 acres of nontidal wetlands, wildlife habitat, and 3,167 feet of riparian buffer along the Monocacy River, a tributary of the Potomac River. The forest and the farmland will be managed in accord with a Total Resource Management Plan. Montgomery County will hold the easement title.
- The Board approved $280,761 in Rural legacy funds to acquire a conservation easement on 60 acres of the Potomac Hunt property, located in the Mid-Maryland Montgomery Rural Legacy Area. This acquisition will protect 47 acres of farmland, 5 acres of forest, 3 acres of nontidal wetland, wildlife habitat, and 2,100 feet of riparian buffer along a tributary of Little Seneca Creek, which drains into the Potomac River. The forest and the farmland will be managed in accord with a Total Resource Management Plan. Montgomery County will hold the easement title.
Prince George’s County
- The Board approved $20,742 in Program Open Space funds to replace the existing wooden play equipment at the Cheverly Town Park playground with new equipment that meets current safety standards.
- The Board approved $1,355,598 in Rural Legacy funds to acquire the 241-acre Rogers property in the Patuxent Prince George’s Rural Legacy Area. The property, located on the Patuxent River, is more than four-fifths wooded and contains 32 acres of wetlands. This acquisition extends the Patuxent River Greenway, provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, and protects nearly three miles of stream and river buffers. Prince George’s County will hold the title.
Washington County
Worcester County
- The Board approved $70,000 in Program Open Space funds as the final installment in acquiring the 66-acre Hagerstown Fairgrounds property, located less than a half-mile from downtown Hagerstown. The purpose of this acquisition is to provide a site for developing a municipal recreation area that will accommodate various recreation facilities. Plans include protecting sensitive land and preserving greenways along Hamilton Run, a tributary of Antietam Creek. The city of Hagerstown will hold the title to the property.
- The Board approved $38,160 in Program Open Space funds to construct an overnight camping area for hikers and bikers at the Western Maryland Rail Trail Park in the town of Hancock. The project includes landscaping and the installation of six campsites, fireplace grills, picnic tables, utilities, restroom facilities, a small parking lot, and a pavilion. The park will accommodate users of the trail and the C&O Canal towpath as well as Hancock residents and local organizations.
- The Board approved $351,408 in Rural Legacy funds to acquire a conservation easement on 272 acres near Boxiron. The property includes 148 wooded acres and 53 acres of wetlands. This acquisition will protect significant agricultural and forested land, including 4100 feet of stream buffer along Boxiron Creek, and will expand a contiguous block of protected land in the Chincoteague Bay watershed. Worcester County and the Lower Shore Land Trust will jointly hold the easement title.
- The Board approved $107,080 in Rural Legacy funds to acquire a conservation easement on 130 acres adjacent to Pocomoke State Forest. The property includes 123 wooded acres and 27 acres of wetlands. This acquisition will protect significant agricultural and forested land, including 2300 feet of stream buffer along Mattaponi Creek. Worcester County and the Lower Shore Land Trust will jointly hold the easement title.
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