Governor O'Malley Announces BPW Approval Of Local Recreational Projects In Worcester And Carroll Counties

Annapolis, Md. (December 1, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of recreational projects in Worcester and Carroll Counties through local Program Open Space.

“Maintaining and improving Maryland’s outdoor recreational facilities is an important function of Program Open Space,” said Governor O’Malley. “We continue to evaluate these areas, making the necessary enhancements to keep our families safe while recreating outdoors.”

Worcester County will receive $3,000 to install playground edging and an engineered wood fiber safety surface for the existing swing set at Bishopville Park. Currently, the area below the swing set lacks adequate safety surfacing for the fall zone.

Carroll County - Hampstead will receive $10,339 to rebuild two tennis courts and one basketball court at Melvin Miller Community Park. In addition, fencing, ADA picnic tables, nets, and poles for the courts will be installed.

Among the advantageous projects that have benefited from Program Open Space funding is the YMCA at Stadium Place in Baltimore, which includes a playground and baseball field. A video showing the direct benefits of Program Open Space at that location can be viewed here.

Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works has approved funding for 936 recreational projects, including Community Parks & Playgrounds, totaling over $281,482,995 through local-side Program Open Space since 2007. This is about 16 percent of the more than 5,800 total projects funded since the program’s inception in 1969.

The three-member Board of Public Works is composed of Governor O’Malley (chair), 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.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 11 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