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Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of $168,301 for Allegany, Frederick, and Washington Counties
Parkland acquisition and park improvements funded through Program Open Space
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Restating his support for county park and recreation projects, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $168,301 in Program Open Space (POS) funds for Allegany, Frederick, and Washington Counties.“Ordinary park improvements, a land purchase for a large recreation facility, and a new camping site along the Western Maryland Rail Trail are among the projects funded today,” said Governor Ehrlich. “All in their own ways encourage Marylanders to engage in healthy forms of recreation.”
The total allocation of $168,301 funds five projects in three counties:
Allegany County
- The Board approved $29,813 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 to pave the existing walking path with shale and to install new play equipment at the La Vale Lions Field in La Vale.
Frederick County
- The Board approved $14,000 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.
Washington County
- The Board approved $70,000 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 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.
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 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