Maryland’s Board of Public Works has approved over $1.18 million in grant funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to help local governments upgrade parks, sports facilities, and playgrounds across six counties.
Roughly $455,000 from the Program Open Space – Local initiative was set aside for projects in Dorchester and Frederick counties. Dorchester County will use its share to build a new restroom and storage building at School Street Park. In Frederick County, three municipalities will benefit: the Town of New Market will acquire 1.56 acres of land for a future soccer field complex, the Town of Myersville will add parking, benches, and picnic areas to Bullivant Park, and the Town of Mount Airy will install a paved accessible path at East West Park.
An additional $316,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program was approved for Calvert and Dorchester counties. Calvert County plans to tear out the existing basketball courts at Hallowing Point Park and replace them with brand-new ones. Dorchester County will add pickleball courts to its School Street Athletic Complex. That program received state funding in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to direct grant money primarily to local governments for park and recreation improvements.
Western Maryland communities will see about $413,000 through the Community Parks and Playgrounds program. In Allegany County, the Parris N. Glendening Recreation Complex in Frostburg will get new lighting for its basketball and pickleball courts, while the Little League Ballfield in Lonaconing will be expanded to include pickleball courts. Garrett County’s Friendsville Elementary School and Washington County’s Sharpsburg Community Park will each build inclusive playgrounds designed to be accessible for all children.
The Community Parks and Playgrounds program is designed to help municipal governments both restore existing recreational spaces and create new ones throughout Maryland.
The three-member Board of Public Works includes Governor Wes Moore, who was represented at the meeting by Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, along with Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman.
The Program Open Space – Local initiative has been in operation since 1969 under the Department of Natural Resources. It provides annual funding to every county and Baltimore City for planning, acquiring, and developing recreational land and facilities. The program is financed through a property transfer tax and reflects Maryland’s long-standing commitment to preserving natural resources and expanding outdoor recreation access for residents.
