Governor O’Malley Announces BPW Approval of Funding
to Renovate Cornish Park and Preserve 180 Acres in Dorchester County

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Today, Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of Rural Legacy funds to preserve 180+ acres of farmland in Dorchester County and local-side Program Open Space (POS) funds to renovate Cornish Park in Cambridge.

The BPW approved the purchase of two conservation easements located in the Marshyhope Rural Legacy Focus Area to protect valuable farmland.  The easements totaling 180+ acres will be held cooperatively by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.  Rural legacy funds totaling $489,440.86 financed the easement purchase.

Since 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided funding to preserve 57,798 acres vulnerable to sprawl development.

Renovations to Cornish Park which will be partially financed with $43,200 in local-side POS funds, include resurfacing the existing basketball courts, installing four basketball goals, and new playground equipment.  Once renovated, Dorchester County estimates that the Park will receive 10,000 visits annually.

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.

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. 

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