Program Open Space Grants
Accomplishments

Established under the Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving our natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for our citizens.

Program Open Space has...

Protected 352,192* acres of land

More than 5,800 grants awarded to local government

Enhanced quality of communities

Established Greenways and Green Infrastructure network

Provided state, local park or public open space within 15 minutes of most residents

*Acreage includes Heritage Conservation Fund, CREP and State and Local POS, but not GreenPrint or Rural Legacy. Acreage for individual programs.

Have We Done Enough?

The population of Maryland goes up every year, while the land area remains the same.

About 20% of Maryland is developed and about 19% is protected with conservation easements or publicly-owned open space. POS has allowed the State to protect land at a rate that keeps pace with land development.

Growing communities need to save land for recreation and maintain scenic beauty and environmental quality. Open space protected from development today will be available for recreation and natural areas for tomorrow.

The provision of recreation and park programs are proven alternatives to crime and drugs. In drug-free zones and public parks, people can develop healthful, lifetime sports and skills.

Today there are more than 5,800 individual county and municipal parks and conservation areas that exist because of the program. Almost all of the land purchased by the DNR in Maryland in the last 40 years was funded at least in part through POS.