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Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval Of Improvements At Two Parks And Preservation Of 25 Acres In Howard County
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of Program Open Space (POS) funds for improvements at two local parks and preservation of 25 acres in Howard County. Howard County will receive a total of $4,391,518 to expand and improve four natural, historical, and recreational sites:
- 12.9-acres of open space located adjacent to the historic Ellicott City Colored School site will be purchased to provide passive recreation opportunities and protect the site, funded by an $867,000 grant.
- 12.8-acres along the Patuxent Greenway will be purchased to protect the river while providing a future community park site, funded by a $691,500 grant.
- $753,693 will fund the eighth phase of Western Regional Park’s development in Woodbine. Once completed, the 160-acre Park will include 13 athletic fields, six court games, two playgrounds, five picnic shelters, restrooms, equestrian trails, and pathways.
- $2,079,325 will fund the sixth phase of development of Meadowbrook Park in Ellicott City. Once completed, the 77-acre Park will include four baseball fields, two tennis courts, two basketball courts, two playgrounds, a gymnasium, and pathways as well as a protected pond and wetland area.
“We have so many projects in Maryland, and a lot of communities may not think they are touched by the State, “said Treasurer Nancy Kopp. “I hope that citizens realize the significant support that the State regularly provides for these local park and recreation projects through Program Open Space.”
In total the BPW approved funding for 14 local park and recreation areas and preservation of 406 acres of agricultural and forest land in 10 Counties today.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of nearly 322,000 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.
November 1, 2007 Contact: Olivia Campbell
410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell
ocampbell@dnr.state.md.usMaryland 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