Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval of Funding for Edgewood Recreation Park Improvements

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ANNAPOLIS, MD —  Today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of local-side Program Open Space (POS) funds to improve Edgewood Recreation Park in Harford County.

A new multi-purpose field and parking areas will be partially financed (75 percent) with $450,000 in local-side POS funds. The additional field and parking will help address the continued demand for more active recreation opportunities in the community.  Once completed, Harford County estimates that the Park’s annual visitation will increase to 25,000 visits annually.

In total the BPW approved funding for seven local park and recreation areas and preservation of more than 180 acres of farmland in six counties today.  Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 322,355 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 Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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January 2, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

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