Governor O’Malley Announces Park Improvements In Seven Counties

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Annapolis, Md. (April 15, 2009) - Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works approval of Program Open Space funding for local park improvements and one land acquisition in seven Maryland counties.

"I am very pleased that by working closely with the Members of the General Assembly over the course of the Session, we were able to protect funding for Program Open Space, and with it maintain our commitment to preserving land and supporting local recreation projects for Maryland families and for our smart, green and growing future,” said Governor O’Malley.

Baltimore County will receive $627,000 to design and construct a new artificial turf athletic field at Hereford High School Recreational Center.

Caroline County will receive $53,000 to construct a pavilion next to the playground at Jonestown Community Park in Preston, and $25,000 to develop a county-wide Land Preservation, Park and Recreation program for the year 2011.

Cecil County will receive $491 to construct a welcome sign for Johnie’s Field Park in North East, and $3,753 to construct signs for Cecil Arena that identify it as a county facility.

Frederick County will receive $195,969, including $177,747 to begin development on a nature center and recreational trails at Catoctin Creek; $11,222 for renovations including repairs to its outdoor fountain, new benches and trashcans and additional landscaping for New Market Messanelle Park; and $7,000 to construct a welcome sign and pathway to Natelli Field in Middletown.

Somerset County will receive $1.3 million in state and local share Program Open Space funds to acquire the12.75-acre Wenona Harbor property along Deal Island Road in the town of Wenona. The property has direct access to the Tangier Sound, a favorite waterway for local recreational boaters and fishermen, and will also provide adequate parking for the current boat ramp area.

Washington County will receive:

• $125,000 to begin construction of a new recreational complex in Boonsboro;
• $9,473 to replace the roof of the arts pavilion at Doub’s Woods Park;
• $22,500 to replace existing wood carpet mulch with safer rubber mulch around playground equipment at Marty Snook Park in Hagerstown;
• $37,350 to pave and extend an existing walking trail, also at Marty Snook Park; and
• $10,800 to resurface the basketball courts at Keedysville Taylor Park.

Wicomico County will receive $705,000 to renovate five acres of the former Salisbury Mall parking lot to serve as a new parking area for the Salisbury City Park and Zoo, Wicomico County Stadium and the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center,

Since 2007, Governor O'Malley and the BPW preserved more than 21,762 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 341,473 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded Program Open Space. Visit www.greenprint.maryland.gov for an interactive, statewide map showing the land protected by Program Open Space.

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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April 15, 2009

Contact: Megan Rhoads 410-260-8001 mrhoads@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