{"id":44186,"date":"2025-03-19T14:25:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=44186"},"modified":"2025-03-19T14:44:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:44:01","slug":"board-of-public-works-approves-15-3-million-for-park-improvements-and-land-conservation-in-baltimore-city-and-several-counties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/03\/19\/board-of-public-works-approves-15-3-million-for-park-improvements-and-land-conservation-in-baltimore-city-and-several-counties\/","title":{"rendered":"Board of Public Works Approves $15.3 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Several Counties"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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Funds were approved for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy will acquire a 399-acre easement in the Agricultural Security Corridor – Eastern Shore Heartland Rural Legacy Area. Maryland DNR photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Board of Public Works today approved more than $15.3 million in grants to local governments and a land trust from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nearly $2.8 million in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Program Open Space \u2013 Local<\/span><\/a>\u00a0funding was approved for six projects including two in Baltimore City, to improve the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory at Druid Hill Park and provide outdoor recreational facilities at North Harford Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

Baltimore City will also receive $10 million from Program Open Space Stateside as a direct grant to improve three parks\u2013the Frederic B. Leidig Recreation Center field house and playing field, the outdoor pool and other site amenities at City Springs Park, and constructing a new Cab Calloway Legends Square Park in the Druid Heights community. The grant will also support maintenance, planning and operation of the entire Baltimore City park system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also approved for Baltimore City is $500,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program to create the new Greenmount Park at Johnston Square.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Frederick County, $11,200 was approved from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program to add a park concession stand with restrooms at the E. Eugene Myers Community Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

A total of $5,800 in funding was approved for recreation <\/span>communication boards at Edesville Park in Kent County and Chaptico Park in St. Mary\u2019s County. These boards will improve play area accessibility by displaying photos, symbols, or illustrations to enable individuals with limited language skills to communicate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, $2 million in\u00a0<\/span>Rural Legacy<\/span><\/a> funding was approved for local sponsors to acquire conservation easements on two properties, totaling 485 acres:<\/span><\/p>\n