{"id":46407,"date":"2025-12-17T13:02:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T18:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=46407"},"modified":"2026-01-05T10:19:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:19:03","slug":"board-of-public-works-approves-12-9-million-for-parks-and-land-conservation-in-baltimore-city-and-eight-maryland-counties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/12\/17\/board-of-public-works-approves-12-9-million-for-parks-and-land-conservation-in-baltimore-city-and-eight-maryland-counties\/","title":{"rendered":"Board of Public Works Approves $13.2 Million for Parks and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Nine Maryland Counties"},"content":{"rendered":"

Funding approved for DNR\u2019s Program Open Space Local and Rural Legacy programs, and to support local recreation communication boards<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Farm

Carroll County will acquire an easement on 23 acres in the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area that protects some of the county\u2019s most productive farmland and forested buffers along a stream that flows to the Liberty Reservoir, a source of drinking water for the area for the metropolitan Baltimore area.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Board of Public Works today approved $13.2 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for parks and land conservation in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Wicomico counties. NOTE: This release was updated to add an approved project that was accidentally excluded.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

About $10.3 million in <\/span>Program Open Space \u2013 Local<\/span><\/a> funding was approved for nine projects including five in Baltimore City. The city will use the approximately $9 million in Program Open Space – Local funds to construct a multipurpose sports field at Clifton Park; design a maintenance facility to replace one at Carroll Park; renovate tennis courts at Druid Hill Park; replace the roof, windows, and doors of the field house at Wilber H. Water Park; and for general maintenance and operations throughout the park system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Baltimore County will use approximately $400,000 in funds to acquire one acre for a new park in the Liberty Road Corridor. Frederick County will construct a new storage shed for Eyler Road Park in Thurmont. Harford County will acquire three acres that will expand Cedar Lane Park. Wicomico County will purchase field lighting for Winterplace Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

A total of $12,000 in funding was approved for recreation <\/span>communication boards at four Anne Arundel County locations: Bachman Sports Complex, Solley Park, Bodkin Park and Green Haven P<\/span>ark. 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, the Board approved $2.6 million in <\/span>Rural Legacy<\/span><\/a> funding for four conservation easement acquisitions:<\/span><\/p>\n