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Governor O'Malley Announces Preservation Of 606 Acres Of Agricultural And Forest Lands
9/13/07
Annapolis, Maryland - Governor Martin O'Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval today of more than $5.83 million in Program Open Space (POS) funds and more than $3.59 million for Rural Legacy acquisitions. The projects approved will preserve more than 606 acres of the state's landscape, provide for improvements to 13 local parks, and allow for expansion or upgrades to Maryland public lands.
"While Maryland works to accommodate unprecedented growth," said Governor O'Malley, "we are truly fortunate to have these outstanding opportunities to permanently preserve Maryland's unique rural character, and to improve the local parks that enhance the quality of life of our citizens."
Program Open Space state-side funding was approved as follows:
Greenbrier State Park: The Board approved $380,000 in state-side funds for the purchase of a 17-acre in-holding, located within the park's legislative boundary. The property will be incorporated into the Park, which will resolve boundary confusion, improve hunting opportunities, improve Park security and enforcement, and provide a large water source for future demands.
Rocky Gap State Park: As part of Governor O'Malley's effort to create a more sustainable Maryland, $165,410 will fund renovations at the park, including energy saving geothermal mechanical systems in both the bathhouse and the concession building. Originally constructed during the 1970s, the existing buildings contain no insulation and need renovating to adequately serve the 825,500 annual visitors to the park and save taxpayer dollars in the long term through energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
The Board approved the following 13 local-side Program Open Space projects:
• Allegany County
? A $125,159 grant fund improvements at Constitution Park in Cumberland, including rehabilitating the Bicentennial Fountain, improve aeration at the duck pond, and planting wetlands.
? Energy efficient, night sky friendly lighting and a new playground will be installed at the Moss Cottage Ball Field Development with a $97,000 grant.
• Carroll County
? $1.73 million (48 percent of total funds necessary) will fund the creation of Krimgold Park, a planned 139.6-acre active recreation area comprised of three ponds, 2.2 miles of walking trails, nature appreciation areas, five football/soccer fields, four softball/baseball fields, four picnic pavilions, and woodlands in Woodbine. Carroll County will provide an additional $1.885 million (52 percent of total funds necessary) to complete development of the Park. The property was initially acquired using POS funds in 2002 by Carroll County at well below the appraised value thanks to the Krimgold family's strong support for a new local public park.
? A $42,550 grant will improve Manchester's Christmas Tree Park's five pavilions with water and electric as well as install a new playground.
• Frederick County
? A $142,800 grant will renovate a youth soccer field, construct and outdoor amphitheater, and install trails and other improvements at Doub's Meadow Park in Myersville.
• Garrett County - A $177,100 grant will assist in developing the 18-acre Friendsville Community Park to include a fitness trails, a new playground, two pavilions, picnic areas, and a volleyball court.
• Harford County - Harford County will purchase a 2.42-acre in-holding within Heavenly Waters Park in Bel Air with a $542,000 grant. The parcel contains a single family residence which could be used as Park offices and meeting space. If not purchased by the County, sale of the residence would likely lead to inappropriate site modifications as well as conflict over park use and traffic. The property is being purchased below its appraisal value.
• Howard County - Acquisition of a 2.02-acre parcel adjacent to the Font Hill Community Park in Ellicott City with a $347,000 grant will provide additional passive recreation areas for the community and further protection of the Font Hill ponds and wetlands.
• Montgomery County - A $431,888 grant will fund six percent of the total construction costs of a new gymnasium addition to the Takoma Park Community Center. The remainder (94 percent) of the $7 million total cost of the project will be funded by the City of Takoma Park and other local government and private partners.
• Prince George's County
? Renovation of existing ball fields, sediment erosion control, and stormwater management upgrades at Walker Mill Regional Park in District Heights will be partially funded (75 percent of total project cost) with a $555,000 grant.
? Expansion of the Deerfield Run Community Center, located adjacent to Deerfield Run Elementary School in South Laurel, will be partially funded (65 percent of total project cost) with a $1,065,000 grant.
• Queen Anne's County - New playground equipment will be installed in three age-appropriate play areas at the Kent Island Elementary School Playground in Stevensville, funded in part (26 percent of total project cost) with a $20,950 grant. An additional $59,344 has been raised by a consortium of community partners and local government entities to complete this public-private project.
• Washington County - A $10,800 grant will partially fund (90 percent of total project costs) installation of benches and picnic tables at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of more than 321,000 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.
The Board also formally approved funding for seven Rural Legacy projects, which were originally designated in previous fiscal years:
• Baltimore County
? A 35-acre conservation easement located within the Gunpowder River Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $264,203 grant to The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy of Baltimore County, preserved forested and agricultural lands. Permanent riparian buffers along a tributary of the Little Falls River which feeds into Loch Raven Reservoir protect water quality.
? A 42-acre conservation easement in the Manor Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $362,294 grant to The Manor Conservancy of Baltimore and Harford Counties, creates forested and grass buffers on a tributary of Big Gunpowder Falls and protects agricultural and forested land on a hay and beef cattle farm.
? A 11-acre conservation easement (adjacent to the easement described above) in the Manor Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $54,636 grant to The Manor Conservancy of Baltimore and Harford Counties, creates riparian buffers on a tributary of the Big Gunpowder Falls and protects agricultural land on a hay farm.
• Carroll County - A 43-acre conservation easement located in the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $300,000 grant to Carroll County, protects valuable agricultural and forest land. The easement is expected to help improve water quality of the Patapsco River by protecting riparian buffers.
• Charles County - A 190-acre conservation easement located in the Zekiah Watershed Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $1,251,545 grant to Charles County, is expected to improve water quality of Zekiah Swamp Run, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, by permanently maintaining riparian buffers. The easement also protects valuable agricultural and forest lands.
• Frederick County
? A 185-acre conservation easement located in the Carrollton Manor Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $1,007,591 grant to The Carrollton Manor Land Trust of Frederick County, preserves agricultural lands. Within the easement, a 5-acre continuous permanent riparian buffer that includes wetlands, flood plain area, and a stream that feeds Locust Run, a tributary of the Monocacy River, projects water quality.
? An 83-acre conservation easement located in the Mid-Maryland Frederick Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $354,981 grant to Frederick County, protects valuable agricultural resources. Water quality will be protected through permanent riparian butters on the property, which drains into Catoctin Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River.
The 2008 Rural Legacy projects are scheduled to be announced by Governor O'Malley later this fall.
To help protect the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area shoreline and the navigation channel into Wenona Harbor, the BPW also approved $985,130 for marsh plantings and construction of seven breakwaters totaling 998 feet. Supported by the Somerset County Commissions, this project benefits not only boaters and watermen but also water quality, wildlife, and public lands.
Chaired by Governor O'Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
###
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.DNR.Maryland.gov.
Media Contact:
Olivia Campbell (410) 260-8016 (office) or (410) 507-7525 © ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us
9/13/07
Annapolis, Maryland - Governor Martin O'Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval today of more than $5.83 million in Program Open Space (POS) funds and more than $3.59 million for Rural Legacy acquisitions. The projects approved will preserve more than 606 acres of the state's landscape, provide for improvements to 13 local parks, and allow for expansion or upgrades to Maryland public lands.
"While Maryland works to accommodate unprecedented growth," said Governor O'Malley, "we are truly fortunate to have these outstanding opportunities to permanently preserve Maryland's unique rural character, and to improve the local parks that enhance the quality of life of our citizens."
Program Open Space state-side funding was approved as follows:
Greenbrier State Park: The Board approved $380,000 in state-side funds for the purchase of a 17-acre in-holding, located within the park's legislative boundary. The property will be incorporated into the Park, which will resolve boundary confusion, improve hunting opportunities, improve Park security and enforcement, and provide a large water source for future demands.
Rocky Gap State Park: As part of Governor O'Malley's effort to create a more sustainable Maryland, $165,410 will fund renovations at the park, including energy saving geothermal mechanical systems in both the bathhouse and the concession building. Originally constructed during the 1970s, the existing buildings contain no insulation and need renovating to adequately serve the 825,500 annual visitors to the park and save taxpayer dollars in the long term through energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.
The Board approved the following 13 local-side Program Open Space projects:
• Allegany County
? A $125,159 grant fund improvements at Constitution Park in Cumberland, including rehabilitating the Bicentennial Fountain, improve aeration at the duck pond, and planting wetlands.
? Energy efficient, night sky friendly lighting and a new playground will be installed at the Moss Cottage Ball Field Development with a $97,000 grant.
• Carroll County
? $1.73 million (48 percent of total funds necessary) will fund the creation of Krimgold Park, a planned 139.6-acre active recreation area comprised of three ponds, 2.2 miles of walking trails, nature appreciation areas, five football/soccer fields, four softball/baseball fields, four picnic pavilions, and woodlands in Woodbine. Carroll County will provide an additional $1.885 million (52 percent of total funds necessary) to complete development of the Park. The property was initially acquired using POS funds in 2002 by Carroll County at well below the appraised value thanks to the Krimgold family's strong support for a new local public park.
? A $42,550 grant will improve Manchester's Christmas Tree Park's five pavilions with water and electric as well as install a new playground.
• Frederick County
? A $142,800 grant will renovate a youth soccer field, construct and outdoor amphitheater, and install trails and other improvements at Doub's Meadow Park in Myersville.
• Garrett County - A $177,100 grant will assist in developing the 18-acre Friendsville Community Park to include a fitness trails, a new playground, two pavilions, picnic areas, and a volleyball court.
• Harford County - Harford County will purchase a 2.42-acre in-holding within Heavenly Waters Park in Bel Air with a $542,000 grant. The parcel contains a single family residence which could be used as Park offices and meeting space. If not purchased by the County, sale of the residence would likely lead to inappropriate site modifications as well as conflict over park use and traffic. The property is being purchased below its appraisal value.
• Howard County - Acquisition of a 2.02-acre parcel adjacent to the Font Hill Community Park in Ellicott City with a $347,000 grant will provide additional passive recreation areas for the community and further protection of the Font Hill ponds and wetlands.
• Montgomery County - A $431,888 grant will fund six percent of the total construction costs of a new gymnasium addition to the Takoma Park Community Center. The remainder (94 percent) of the $7 million total cost of the project will be funded by the City of Takoma Park and other local government and private partners.
• Prince George's County
? Renovation of existing ball fields, sediment erosion control, and stormwater management upgrades at Walker Mill Regional Park in District Heights will be partially funded (75 percent of total project cost) with a $555,000 grant.
? Expansion of the Deerfield Run Community Center, located adjacent to Deerfield Run Elementary School in South Laurel, will be partially funded (65 percent of total project cost) with a $1,065,000 grant.
• Queen Anne's County - New playground equipment will be installed in three age-appropriate play areas at the Kent Island Elementary School Playground in Stevensville, funded in part (26 percent of total project cost) with a $20,950 grant. An additional $59,344 has been raised by a consortium of community partners and local government entities to complete this public-private project.
• Washington County - A $10,800 grant will partially fund (90 percent of total project costs) installation of benches and picnic tables at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of more than 321,000 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.
The Board also formally approved funding for seven Rural Legacy projects, which were originally designated in previous fiscal years:
• Baltimore County
? A 35-acre conservation easement located within the Gunpowder River Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $264,203 grant to The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy of Baltimore County, preserved forested and agricultural lands. Permanent riparian buffers along a tributary of the Little Falls River which feeds into Loch Raven Reservoir protect water quality.
? A 42-acre conservation easement in the Manor Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $362,294 grant to The Manor Conservancy of Baltimore and Harford Counties, creates forested and grass buffers on a tributary of Big Gunpowder Falls and protects agricultural and forested land on a hay and beef cattle farm.
? A 11-acre conservation easement (adjacent to the easement described above) in the Manor Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $54,636 grant to The Manor Conservancy of Baltimore and Harford Counties, creates riparian buffers on a tributary of the Big Gunpowder Falls and protects agricultural land on a hay farm.
• Carroll County - A 43-acre conservation easement located in the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $300,000 grant to Carroll County, protects valuable agricultural and forest land. The easement is expected to help improve water quality of the Patapsco River by protecting riparian buffers.
• Charles County - A 190-acre conservation easement located in the Zekiah Watershed Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $1,251,545 grant to Charles County, is expected to improve water quality of Zekiah Swamp Run, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, by permanently maintaining riparian buffers. The easement also protects valuable agricultural and forest lands.
• Frederick County
? A 185-acre conservation easement located in the Carrollton Manor Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $1,007,591 grant to The Carrollton Manor Land Trust of Frederick County, preserves agricultural lands. Within the easement, a 5-acre continuous permanent riparian buffer that includes wetlands, flood plain area, and a stream that feeds Locust Run, a tributary of the Monocacy River, projects water quality.
? An 83-acre conservation easement located in the Mid-Maryland Frederick Rural Legacy Area, purchased with a $354,981 grant to Frederick County, protects valuable agricultural resources. Water quality will be protected through permanent riparian butters on the property, which drains into Catoctin Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River.
The 2008 Rural Legacy projects are scheduled to be announced by Governor O'Malley later this fall.
To help protect the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area shoreline and the navigation channel into Wenona Harbor, the BPW also approved $985,130 for marsh plantings and construction of seven breakwaters totaling 998 feet. Supported by the Somerset County Commissions, this project benefits not only boaters and watermen but also water quality, wildlife, and public lands.
Chaired by Governor O'Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
###
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.DNR.Maryland.gov.
Media Contact:
Olivia Campbell (410) 260-8016 (office) or (410) 507-7525 © ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us
