Governor O’Malley Announces Approval of New Park Project in Montgomery County
Falls Road Park Improvements also Funded

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Annapolis, Md. (January 27, 2009) — Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works approval for the creation of a new park on a 25-acre tract on Glen Road in Potomac. The Greenbriar Local Park will incorporate natural areas to provide for wildlife habitat and environmental wellness, with active recreation areas to serve a projected annual attendance of 50,000 visits per year.

“Through local Program Open Space projects like this one, we can continue to bring exciting, outdoor recreation opportunities to families across our State,” said Governor O’Malley. “By using environmentally sound practices in the creation of this new park, we can improve our quality of life and protect our natural resources for the enjoyment of forthcoming generations.”

Greenbriar Local Park will receive over $2.8 million to establish a park with amenities including: a regulation soccer/ football field with spectator areas, a basketball/ multi-use court, a grass volleyball court, school and tot-aged playgrounds, a loop path with pedestrian connections, central seating, picnic table areas, a gazebo and parking for guests.

A project to resurface a playground in the 19.9-acre Falls Road Local Park in Montgomery County was also approved today; $368,000 will fund the resurfacing of the popular Hadley’s Playground which contains specially designed play structures for children of all abilities.

“Montgomery County is a national leader in preservation of open space, and I’m very grateful to the State of Maryland for approving two additional projects that will further expand our efforts to safeguard our natural resources for future generations,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.

Since 2007, Governor O'Malley and the BPW have preserved more than 20,752 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland through Program Open Space. Since its inception in 1969, the program has provided funding for acquisition of 340,463 acres of Maryland’s landscape. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by POS.
The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor O’Malley, is comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW 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 28, 2009

Contact: Kara Turner 410-260-8018 katurner@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.