{"id":42440,"date":"2024-09-11T12:11:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T16:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=42440"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:13:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T17:13:23","slug":"board-of-public-works-approves-4-million-for-park-improvements-and-land-conservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2024\/09\/11\/board-of-public-works-approves-4-million-for-park-improvements-and-land-conservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Board of Public Works Approves $4 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A blue heron catches a fish for breakfast on Spencer Creek near St. Michaels. Credit: J. Scott Bruce\/ Maryland DNR<\/p><\/div>\n

Funding approved for DNR\u2019s Program Open Space Local, Community Parks and Playgrounds, and Rural Legacy programs<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling $4 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.<\/span><\/p>\n

A total of $1.3 million in\u00a0<\/span>Program Open Space \u2013 Local<\/span><\/a>\u00a0funds were approved for six projects including a grant to the Town of St. Michaels to acquire 5.9 acres along San Domingo Creek \u2013 adjacent to the St. Michaels Nature Trail and a short walk from downtown St. Michaels \u2013 to create a new waterfront park to be named San Domingo Creek Park. <\/span>Program Open Space \u2013 Local<\/span><\/a>\u00a0provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Also approved was over $1.5 million in <\/span>Community Parks and Playgrounds<\/span><\/a> grants for eight projects across the state. Projects include playgrounds for James T. Wright Park in Preston, Carpenter Park in Chestertown, and Golton Park in Easton; bathroom facilities and more for Triangle Dog Park in Rising Sun; one acre of property for Mill Street Nature Park in Cambridge; swing sets and other equipment for parks in Bel Air; gazebo and walking paths for Oak Lane Park in New Carrollton; and an amphitheater for Mahoney Woods in New Carrollton. The Community Parks and Playgrounds program provides funding to municipal governments to restore existing and create new park and recreational facilities throughout the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

More than $1 million in\u00a0<\/span>Rural Legacy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0funding was approved for local sponsors to acquire conservation easements on four properties and totaling 301 acres:<\/span><\/p>\n