Program Open Space Stateside funds also approved to acquire additions to Doncaster Demonstration State Forest and Chesapeake Forest Lands
Funds were approved to add a 324.89-acre tract in Charles County to Doncaster Demonstration State Forest. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved $12.7 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and a land trust for courts, playgrounds, and land conservation in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
Nearly $11.79 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for 21 projects, including:
- Reconstruction of the existing basketball courts and installation of a new playground at Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park in Anne Arundel County
- Construction of new pickleball courts at School Street Athletic Complex in Cambridge, Dorchester County
- Replacement of a splash pad in Nicolet Park in St. Mary’s County
- Renovation of a barn for safety and enhanced use at Snow Hill Park in St Mary’s County
- Improvements to fencing, fields, restroom, and concession stand at East Wicomico Little League Park in Salisbury; and
- Development of playing fields, walking paths and a playground at the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex in Berlin.
In addition, Washington County had multiple projects approved including renovating the pool facilities and adding splash park features at Marty Snook Park in Hagerstown; updating Mt. Briar Wetlands Preserve Trail with signage, new trails and fencing; and replacing playground equipment at Ridge Avenue Park in Hagerstown.
Multiple approved projects in Baltimore City include additional funding for projects at Druid Hill Park’s Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory, and Patterson Park Athletic Field. Funding was also approved to renovate the Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center and to contribute to the maintenance and operations of the Baltimore City park system, which comprises more than 5,700 acres of land.
Also approved was $370,500 for the Community Parks and Playgrounds program to fund two projects – a parking lot and improved walking path at Friendship Hall Park in East New Market, Dorchester County and a new splash pad at Leonard Hall Miedzinski Park in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County.
In land conservation, $253,000 of Rural Legacy program funding was approved for the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy to acquire a 31.9-acre permanent conservation easement in the Gunpowder Rural Legacy Area in Baltimore County. The easement will protect productive agricultural fields and forestland, as well as stream buffers within the watershed for the Loch Raven Reservoir, a source of drinking water for the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Additionally, the easement will preserve scenic views along the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail.
The Board also approved $293,000 for Charles County to purchase a conservation easement on 72.9 acres in the Nanjemoy-Mattawoman Forest Rural Legacy Area. This easement will protect farmland and woodlands, including a stream buffer in the Nanjemoy Creek watershed, which is an area that supports exceptional aquatic, wetland and terrestrial habitats, as well as Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) of birds that require relatively large blocks of undisturbed forest to successfully nest.
In addition, the Board approved Program Open Space – Stateside funds of $1.87 million for three property acquisitions totaling almost 844 acres. A 324.89-acre tract in Charles County will be added to Doncaster Demonstration State Forest, to expand opportunities for silvicultural education and public recreation as well as protect water quality in the Nanjemoy Creek watershed and Forest Interior Dwelling Species habitat.
Two tracts will be acquired and added to Chesapeake Forest Lands – 138.26 acres in Worcester County and 380.67 acres in Wicomico County. These additions will simplify boundary management, protect water quality in the Dividing Creek and Nanticoke watersheds, and add to contiguous blocks of protected FIDS habitat. The Maryland Forest Service manages working forest lands to produce sustainable forest products and provide outdoor recreational opportunities, helping to maintain the local resource-based economy.
More detailed information on these and other items is available in the Board of Public Works October 7, 2026 meeting agenda.
The three-member Board of Public Works is composed of Governor Wes Moore, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman.
Information about these Maryland recreation and land conservation programs, primarily funded with dedicated revenue from the state property transfer tax for these purposes, is below:
Program Open Space – Stateside preserves natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland through fee simple and conservation easement acquisitions. Fee simple acquisitions are managed by the department as state parks, forests, and wildlife and fisheries management areas.
Program Open Space – Local provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities. Funds are allocated annually to every county and Baltimore City and projects funded are determined by the local government. Established under the Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space, along with other state land conservation programs, symbolizes Maryland’s long-term commitment to conserving our natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for all citizens.
The Community Parks and Playgrounds program provides funding to municipal governments to restore existing and create new park and recreational facilities throughout the state.
The Rural Legacy Program, created in 1997, conserves large working landscapes across 36 locally designated areas throughout Maryland. The Rural Legacy Program, along with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, have recently earned the State of Maryland national recognition from the American Farmland Trust.
More news on funding approved for Program Open Space, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Community Parks and Playgrounds, Greenspace Equity, Rural Legacy, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Permanent Easement programs is available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Land News webpage.
