Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval Of 36 Local Park And Recreation Improvement Projects

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval Of 36 Local Park And Recreation Improvement Projects
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval today of more than $16.6 million in local-side Program Open Space (POS) funds for improvements at 36 local park and recreation facilities.
“Program Open Space not only continues to expand the availability of close-to-home enhance recreational areas for Maryland’s working families,” said Governor O’Malley, “it also allows our local partners to enhance those facilities - for safety, for accessibility and for implementation of environmentally friendly practices.”

The BPW approved funding for the following projects today:

Baltimore City will receive $9,233,022 to improve 28 local recreation areas.

$450,000 to replace the roof of four facilities: Lakeland Recreation Center, Herring Run Recreation Center, Mt. Royal Recreation Center, and the Dome Basketball Court at Madison Square Recreation Center.
$500,000 to complete phase II of the Lyndhurst Recreation Center Gymnasium development.
$1,875,000 to construct a new building for the Morrell Park Recreation Center.
$925,000 to improve four of Baltimore’s largest parks: Druid Hill Park, Patterson Park, Clifton Park, and Cylburn Arboretum.
$1,500,000 to implement recommendations of community-based plans by renovating seven parks and playgrounds including Ft. Holabird Park, Reservoir Hill Park, Union Square Park, St. Mary’s Park, Conway Park, Luckman Park, and Lyndhurst Park. Improvements include new walks, playgrounds, playing field renovations, benches, lighting, and landscaping.
$2,250,000 to renovate the popular Druid Hill Park “Bowl” athletic field complex, which includes a football field, soccer field, and two ball fields.
$1,000,000 to replace unsafe or worn-out playground equipment at seven school and park playgrounds including Barclay King & Kennedy Park, Hoe’s Heights Park, Westside Elementary, Langston Hughes Elementary, Lehigh & Gough Park, Garrett Park, and JE Howard Park.
$500,000 for improvements at three park buildings including the Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena, Druid Hill Park, and an abandoned field house near the athletic fields in Radeke Park.
$233,022 to assist in planning, design, and construction supervision of POS funded projects in Baltimore City.

Caroline County will improve two local parks:

$75,000 will fund the first of three phases to improve the Ridgely Athletic Complex with two new baseball fields, three soccer fields, a playground, and a concession stand with restrooms.
$11,250 will partially (75 percent) fund a new walking path, fencing, tree plantings and landscaping improvements at Wheeler Lockerman Park Ball Field in Denton. Caroline County will provide an additional $3,750 of funds to complete the improvements.

Carroll County will install new playground equipment, park benches, a gazebo, fencing, and pathways at the Lexington Run Park in Sykesville, funded by a $126,400 grant.

Harford County will purchase an existing indoor recreation center and 4.25-acres in Forest Hill. The 28,640 sq. ft. building contains a swimming pool, indoor soccer area, and multi-purpose rooms. An additional $660,000 of local-side POS funding was approved to assist with the $2,375,000 purchase.

Howard County will purchase 5.92-acres to expand the Manor Woods Community Park in Ellicott City with a $973,300 grant.

Prince George’s County will receive $5,497,000 in funding for local community centers.

A 12,000 sq. ft. addition to the Vansville Community Center at the Beltsville-Laurel Elementary School Gym will be partially funded (75 percent of total project cost) with a $2,625,000 grant.
A 35,000 sq. ft. recreation complex will be build adjacent to the Henson Creek Stream Valley Park in Fort Washington, partially funded (22 percent of total project cost) with a $2,872,000 grant. The state of the art facility will include a 2-floor over-sized gymnasium, fitness area, indoor warm-up track, game room, and multi-purpose rooms.

Washington County received $49,500 in funding (90 percent of total project cost) to design and construct two multi-purpose fields, additional parking, and a stormwater management pond at the Funkstown Community Park.

Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of more than 321,000 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.

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.

October 17, 2007
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 12 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