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Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Governor O’Malley Announces Support For 13 Local Park Improvement Projects
ANNAPOLIS, MD –  Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of local-side Program Open Space (POS) funds for improvements at 13 local park and recreation facilities in six counties across Maryland.

“As the weather warms, Marylanders increase their use of local and state parks," said Governor O'Malley. "Program Open Space is a critical component of investing, improving and maintaining Maryland's community parks which remain a valued component of our high quality of life.”

Funding for the following projects was approved today:
  • Anne Arundel County will receive $840,708 for three local park improvement projects including:
    • A $655,000 grant to create three athletic fields with outdoor lighting, a playground, a concession/restroom building and parking areas at the 24+ Bay Head Park in Annapolis. Once completed, the park is expected to receive 30,000 visitors annually.
    • A $77,138 grant to renovate two picnic pavilions and install outdoor cooking grills and picnic tables at Truxtun Park in Annapolis. Once improved, use of the picnic area is expected to double to 2,400 visitors annually.
    • An $108,570 grant to replace failing, aged outdoor lighting on two softball fields at Truxtun Park in Annapolis with energy efficient lighting.
       
  • Carroll County will receive $101,533 for two local park improvement projects including:
    • A $43,393 grant to replace unsafe playground equipment at King Park in Westminster.
    • A $58,140 grant to construct a yurt building to serve as recreation and educational activity space for the 700 students who attend summer camp and 111,300 annual visitors of the Piney Run Nature Center in Eldersburg.

  • Cecil County will receive an additional $23,677.79 grant to finance creation of six soccer fields and a parking area at Chesland Park in Elkton.

  • Garrett County will receive $55,625 to expand Grantsville Community Park and partially finance installation of new picnic tables and fencing as well as improvements to the softball fields at Broadford Park in Oakland.

  • Kent County will receive $719,600 for four local park improvement projects including:
    • A $50,400 grant to create a handicap accessible multi-use trail at Worton Park.
    • A $105,300 grant to construct ADA compliant public restrooms at Bayside Landing Park in Rock Hall.
    • A $63,900 grant to renovate the bathhouse, stairway paths and parking areas at Betterton Beach, one of the few public beaches on the Chesapeake Bay’s eastern shore.
    • A $500,000 grant to partially fund development of a new community center in Worton that once completed will offer an outdoor swimming pool, several athletic fields, a gymnasium, multi-purpose meeting and activity room and computer room. Trails will connect Kent County High School, Worton Elementary School and Worton Park to the new community center.
       
  • Somerset County will receive a $135,000 initial grant to partially fund creation of six new athletic fields in Westover.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW have approved preservation of over 1,881 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across the state. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 322,700 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.

March 13, 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.