Recreational Projects in Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's, Washington and Worcester Counties to See Enhancements

Annapolis, Md. (August 22, 2012) ─  Recreational projects in Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Washington and Worcester counties will soon receive funding for necessary upgrades and additions through Program Open Space. Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and the Board of Public Works approved the projects at today’s meeting in Annapolis.

“It is essential that our families have safe, accessible outdoor spaces to enjoy,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “Children that spend time outside gain an appreciation for their natural world and are more likely to make sustainable decisions for the betterment of our great State.”

Frederick County’s town of Myersville will receive $57,900 to acquire approximately 9 acres of land for Pleasant Walk Park. The park will be kept an open space to conserve forestland, provide outdoor recreation and conserve the Seven Springs Watershed.

Montgomery County’s city of Rockville will receive $154,000 to upgrade the 20-year-old playground at David Scull Park with new play equipment, designed for children ages 2-12, that meets the American Standards for Testing Material and the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. A poured-in-place rubber safety surface, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), will be added to improve access to the play area. The surface will be created with a pervious material to reduce soil compaction and allow stormwater to soak into the ground.

Montgomery County’s town of Kensington will receive $83,000 to construct a 60- by 120-foot tennis court at St. Paul Park. The court will feature energy-efficient lighting that emits minimal light pollution, and an all-weather surface that prevents standing water and requires little upkeep.

Prince George’s County’s city of Greenbelt will receive $86,000 to upgrade the more than 20-year-old Laurel Hill Playground with custom play structures, designed for children ages 2-12, and safety surfacing that is ADA accessible.

Prince George’s County’s city of Glenarden will receive $214,000 to renovate the Martin Luther King Community Park with new playground and picnic area equipment, safety surfacing, parking lot resurfacing, pathways, landscaping, and paving and fencing for the tennis and basketball courts. The area will also receive new, energy efficient lighting, designed to minimize light pollution.

Washington County will receive $24,300 to replace the fencing and backstops on two softball fields at Marty Snook Park and $8,100 to patch and overlay two existing basketball courts at the park. These improvements will make these amenities safer for users.

Washington County’s city of Hagerstown will receive $47,084 to install lighting that is energy efficient and emits minimal light pollution at the softball field at Fairgrounds Park.

Washington County’s town of Smithsburg will receive $33,000 to extend the popular, 5,500-foot Veterans Park walking trail by 900 feet. The park features picnic pavilions, exercise stations two playground areas, restrooms, a basketball court, a softball field and two multipurpose fields. Program Open Space made the expansion possible by acquiring an additional 2.5 acres of land.

Worcester County will receive:

• $49,649 to conduct site work at Girdletree Park to develop a composite playground area with a pavilion, picnic tables and a grill. If soil conditions permit, construction will include an alternate green solution to parking as a demonstration project to address stormwater issues. Funds totaling $88,955 were previously approved by the Board of Public Works on the Secretary’s Agenda. Additional funds will be requested as they become available. Total development costs for this project are estimated to be $250,000.

• $26,000 for John Walter Smith Park to improve existing drainage and landscaping at the county recreation center, and repair cracks and water damage to the gymnasium floor. The current catch basins flood and backflow into the center during heavy rainstorms. Larger catch basins would allow the water to drain properly away from the building and into the stormwater management pond. Funds totaling $118,350 were previously approved by the Board of Public Works on the Secretary’s Agenda for other facility improvements.

• Funds totaling $5,069 to replace aged trash receptacles at Newtown Park, John Walter Smith Park, Northern Worcester Athletic Complex and Showell Park to keep the facility in good working order. Funds were previously approved by the Board of Public Works on the Secretary’s Agenda.

Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works has approved funding for 1,116 recreational projects, including Community Parks & Playgrounds, totaling more than $306 million through local-side Program Open Space since 2007.

Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for the State to preserve more than 357,814 acres for open space and recreation areas. Of this area, 36,745 acres ─ more than 10 percent ─ have been preserved within the past 5 years under the O’Malley-Brown Administration. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by Program Open Space. A video showing the direct benefits of Program Open Space can be viewed here.

The three-member Board of Public Works is comprised 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. 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