BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Board of Public Works this week announced the allocation of $3.6 million in grants to enhance parks and safeguard land across the state. The funds will support various projects through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), including land acquisition, park improvements, and the protection of natural resources through conservation easements.

One of the most significant grants, totaling nearly $1.5 million, will go towards Garrett County through the Rural Legacy program. This funding will be used to acquire conservation easements on four properties, encompassing 570 acres within the Bear Creek Rural Legacy Area. These easements aim to protect forested stream buffers along Bear Creek and its tributaries, safeguarding crucial waterways that support healthy fish populations, including trout, and providing water for the public.

In Carroll County, over $2 million from the Program Open Space – Local fund will be used to acquire 44 acres adjacent to Cape Horn Park. This land could potentially be developed into a recreational area with athletic fields, walking trails, and even a community center.

Howard County will also benefit from the Program Open Space – Local initiative, with funding allocated for the construction of six pickleball courts at Rockburn Branch Park.

Baltimore City will receive $100,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program to enhance the schoolyard at Hamilton Elementary and Middle School. The project aims to improve existing amenities like the running track, walking trail, and play areas.

The Board of Public Works, comprising Governor Wes Moore, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, approved these allocations as part of their December 4, 2024 meeting agenda.

These grants reflect Maryland’s ongoing commitment to protecting its natural resources and providing public access to recreational spaces. Through programs like Rural Legacy and Program Open Space, the state continues to prioritize land conservation and the enhancement of outdoor recreation opportunities for its citizens.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo: Nearly $1.5 million in Rural Legacy funding was approved for Garrett County to acquire conservation easements on four properties with a combined total of 570 acres in the Bear Creek Rural Legacy Area. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.