Governor O’Malley Announces 28 Recreation and Land Acquisition Projects Across Maryland

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Annapolis, MD. – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of 28 recreation and land acquisition projects in 10 counties through Program Open Space.

“Protecting our lands and providing spaces for young Marylanders to learn about its rich natural and cultural heritage are vital to creating a generation of informed, responsible stewards,” said Governor O’Malley. “Through Program Open Space, we ensure that our children will have the opportunity to connect with nature at an early age and build upon that connection as they grow.”

Today, the Board of Public Works approved funding for the following projects:

Caroline County will receive $83,027, including: $61,351 to construct new playing fields, concession and storage facilities, and a walking trail connecting to the parking areas for South County Regional Park in Federalsburg; $15,676 to pave walking paths and renovation to the existing baseball field at Lockerman School Park in Denton; and $6,000 to construct a safer chain link backstop for the baseball field at Cedar Lane Senior League Park in Greensboro.

The Town of Charlestown in Cecil County will receive $2,487, including $945 to purchase safety matting to place under swings at Fair Green Park, and $1,541 to place a sanity yard hydrant adjacent to the softball field at Charlestown Athletic Complex, which will provide drinking water for players.

Charles County will receive $1.8 million, including:

• $750,000 to develop Friendship Farm Park in Nanjemoy into a nature center and interpretive farm facility, constructing a visitor center, trails, an amphitheater and barns for educational programs and events;
• $860,000 to begin construction on a new regional park in Waldorf, providing much-needed athletic fields for the community, in addition to hiking trails, dog park, playgrounds and picnic areas; and
• $251,250 to continue construction of Indian Head Rail Trail, Charles County’s first multi-purpose recreational/bike trail, a 13-mile trail being developed on an abandoned railroad corridor.

Frederick County will receive $432,200, including: $402,200 to acquire three properties totaling 24 acres adjacent to the Town Watershed property in Myersville, which houses seven natural springs and spring line that feeds into the Myersville water supply system, preserving forest land and preventing potential development and possible water contamination; and $30,000 to construct a 3,700-foot circular gravel path and gazebo at Emmittsburg Community Park.

Garrett County will receive $183,013 for six park improvement projects, including:

• $64,800 for construction of a much-needed parking area for the athletic fields at Loch Lynn Heights Athletic Complex, which serves several hundred youth from the surrounding communities and southern areas of Garrett County;
• $5,998 to add aluminum bleachers and garbage receptacles to Accident Town Park East,
• $11,385 to upgrade the softball field at Northern High School to improve its safety for its students and community;
• $20,200 to construct a new basketball court and playground equipment for the Avilton Community Association in Lonaconing;
• $7,800 for improvements to the county-owned Crellin softball field, including new bleachers, fences and parking area upgrades; and
• $72,830 to install energy efficient lighting for the existing walking trail at Glades West Park in Oakland.

Kent County will receive $144,990, including:

• $45,000 to resurface tennis courts at Worton Park;
• $23,490 for Kent County Parks and Recreation to replace fencing around tennis courts and new safer main drains for Millington Pool;
• $58,500 to renovate the historic granary building at Turner’s Creek Park, one of the last rural grain warehouses remaining on the Eastern Shore; and
• $18,000 to develop a hard surface parking lot to replace the current grass field parking area at Edesville Park in Rock Hall.

Prince George’s County will receive $1.1. million to acquire 63 acres within the Patuxent River corridor, protecting wildlife habitat and open space, and providing floodplain protection and river access. In addition to environmental preservation, the property contains the historic Compton Basset site, which includes a historic house, chapel, smokehouse and other dependency buildings that were built in the 18th century. Preserving this area will ensure that both this historic property and its wildlife and watershed will be protected from unnecessary destruction due to suburban development.

Talbot County will receive $52,500 to provide new much-needed dugouts, back-stop, goals, and field irrigation for Easton Middle School athletic fields, which hosts over 1,0000 games a year for the local youth.

Washington County will receive $113,208, including:

• $13,500 to replace the grass surface in the horse arena at Washington County Agricultural/Education Center with stone dust and sand to improve safety to both the user and horses;
• $18,000 to replacing older damaged playground equipment at Piper Lane, Marty L. Snook, Camp Harding and Devil’s Backbone Parks with safer equipment;
• $13,770 to construct a walkway to connect the existing sidewalk with a new fitness course, as well as to patch and repaint two tennis courts at Funkstown Community Park; and
• $67,938 to renovate part of the pool deck for improved safety at L. Beard Miller Pool in Williamsport.

Wicomico County will receive $59,700, including $29,700 to replace aging roof and cedar siding on the 3,000 sq. ft. contact building at Pemberton Historical Park, an 18th century working plantation and $30,000 to install an irrigation system for the softball field and fencing for the new football field at Fruitland Recreational Park.

Since 2007, Governor O'Malley and the BPW preserved more than 21,970 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 341,681 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.

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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May 20, 2009

Contact: Megan Rhoads 410-260-8001 office 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