Board of Public Works Allocates $3.6M to Counties This Week

In a regularly scheduled meeting the Board of Public Works (BPW) approved an allocation of $3.6M across seven counties with the majority of funds – almost $2.9M – coming from Program Open Space.

Nearly $2.9 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for ten projects, including a Calvert project to install new playground equipment at Cove Point Park, a Cecil project to construct an outdoor bike playground with a pump track at Brantwood Regional Park, and funding for two new parks in Harford.

Additionally, the Board approved nearly $1.8 million in Rural Legacy funding for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy to protect 285 acres of land in the Agricultural Security Corridor – Eastern Shore Heartland Rural Legacy Area in Talbot County. The conservation easement will preserve forested stream buffers along Ash Bridge Branch, a tributary to Miles Creek, and habitat for Forest Interior Dwelling Species of birds, such as scarlet tanagers and barred owls, which require large blocks of forest to successfully nest.

Below is a list of all approved requests from the meeting yesterday with funds going directly to county governments.

Allegany

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $46,744 from Program Open Space funding to Allegany County including $21,744 to replace the existing chain link fencing and gates along Darrows Lane and the access drive at Cresaptown Sports Complex and $25,000 for a new restroom building at the school’s gymnasium for Allegany College of Maryland.

Baltimore County

  • A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $125,000 grant to Baltimore County, Maryland for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Holland Hill Park. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2024 Capital Budget.
  • A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $25,000 grant to Baltimore County, Maryland for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the trail system and a memorial garden in Oregon Ridge Park. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant.  The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget.

Calvert

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $462,000 from the Program Open Space funding to Calvert County for new playground equipment and safety surfacing at Cove Point Park.

Carroll

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $501,200 from Program Open Space funding to Carroll County including $431,000 in additional funding to resurface approximately 110,000 square feet of roadway and parking facilities in Piney Run Park and $70,200 to construct a half-court basketball court at the beginning of the walking path in Atlee Ridge Walking Path.

Cecil

  • A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding to Cecil County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements.
  • A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding to Cecil County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $400,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Cecil County to construct an outdoor bike playground, including a pump track, at Brantwood Regional Park.

Harford

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $900,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Harford County to construct two multi-use sports fields, a baseball diamond, pickleball courts, a pavilion, and benches at Benson Field. 
  •  A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $500,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Harford County to construct a new recreational area with pickleball courts, baseball fields, and a connection to the Ma and Pa Trail at Vale Road Park.

 Washington

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $59,220 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County to replace a total of six pavilion roofs at Joseph Hancock Park and Widmeyer Park.

See the full agenda and items approved by the BPW this week.