{"id":41672,"date":"2024-06-05T15:39:45","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T19:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=41672"},"modified":"2024-06-05T15:42:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T19:42:38","slug":"board-of-public-works-approves-4-5-million-for-recreation-and-land-preservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2024\/06\/05\/board-of-public-works-approves-4-5-million-for-recreation-and-land-preservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Board of Public Works Approves $4.5 Million for Recreation and Land Preservation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Funding includes $2.1 million for Rural Legacy Area conservation easements<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Photo

Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items including $4.5 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to preserve and protect land, and provide recreational opportunities for Marylanders.<\/span><\/p>\n

A total of $679,000 in <\/span>Program Open Space \u2013 Local<\/span><\/a> was approved for seven projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Town of Sharpsburg in Washington County will receive a $370,000 grant for a new historical park that will showcase the area\u2019s rich history with a monument and signage. The City of Taneytown will receive about $100,000 in funding to replace an outdated playground located in Taneytown Memorial Park, Carroll County.\u00a0 Additionally, Frederick County will receive about $86,000 to renovate and improve trails at Emmitsburg\u2019s Rainbow Lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

Program Open Space \u2013 Local<\/span><\/a> provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also approved was $1 million from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program for Prince George\u2019s County to acquire one acre of land in College Park for construction of a 14,000-square\u2013foot recreation and community center.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program was funded in FY 2022 and FY 2023 to provide grant funds primarily to local governments for park and recreation projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

More than $2.1 million in<\/span> Rural Legacy<\/span><\/a> funding was approved for local sponsors to acquire conservation easements on six properties totaling 535 acres, all of which are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed:<\/span><\/p>\n