Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval of $6 Million in Program Open Space and $690,000 in Rural Legacy Projects

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval
of $6 Million in Program Open Space and $690,000 in Rural Legacy Projects
ANNAPOLIS - Governor Martin O’Malley yesterday announced the Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of $6.1 million in Program Open Space (POS) funds for development and acquisition projects across Maryland and $690,000 for Rural Legacy acquisitions.
"I look forward to working with the environmental community to breathe new life into Maryland's Program Open Space," said Governor O'Malley. "These projects will protect the environment for generations to come and protect Maryland's valuable farmlands from pollution and development."
Program Open Space funding was approved as follows:

$4,225,500 to Montgomery County for:

Elmhirst Parkway Neighborhood Park — new play equipment and parking lot improvements;
Olney Manor Recreational Park — new lighting for its tennis courts;
Wheaton Regional Park — new play equipment;
Takoma-Piney Branch Local Park — upgrades including new pedestrian walkways, an improved entrance and new play equipment; and
The acquisition of 1.1 acres of unimproved land as an addition to the County’s Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park.

$1,230,000 to Carroll County for the acquisition of 93.7 acres on unimproved land at Morgan Run National Environment Area.
$383,750 to Allegany County for:

Frostburg East End Playground — new play equipment;
Frostburg Community Poll System — new filtration system; and
Parkside Elementary School — new play equipment and construction.

$104,905 to Cecil County for:

Little League Community Park — new energy efficient lighting; and
Cecil County YMCA — construction of a 24’ x 48’ pavilion.

$75,000 to Frederick County for the acquisition of 15 acres of unimproved land at South Mountain State Park.
$51,000 to Dorchester County for Secretary Park Playground — new play equipment.
$20,000 to Kent County for Galena Community Park — new handicapped walkway.
$13,500 to Frederick County for Middletown Downtown Mini Park — for new benches, trash cans and picnic tables.
The BPW also approved $689,097 for Rural Legacy Funds:

$289,137 to Cecil County for Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area — acquisition of a conservation easement that will protect significant farmland, forest resources and riparian buffers.
$399,960 to Wicomico County for Quantico Creek Rural Legacy Area — acquisition of a conservation easement that will protect agricultural land, and provide water quality protection to the headwaters to Quantico Creek.
Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of nearly 292,000 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.

February 16, 2007
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 449,000 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