$22M Goes to Counties This Week from the Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works approved a total of $22M in state funding for Maryland counties and Baltimore City at its latest meeting with the largest share being a $17M loan to Baltimore City from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The Board of Public Works (BPW) approved a total of $22M in state funding for Maryland counties and Baltimore City at its latest meeting, based on the projects listed. The largest share came through Maryland Department of the Environment grants and loans, including $17 million for Baltimore City’s Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative. The remaining funds primarily came from Program Open Space allocations. Other funding included Rural Legacy Funds for Charles County and previously authorized capital grants for Harford County. Funding supported a wide range of local recreation, conservation, and park infrastructure projects.

All project details below.

Allegany

  • A request from the Maryland Department of the Environment for new funding up to $334,148 ($71,601 loan + $262,537 grant) to the Allegany County Commissioners to replace the aging water distribution system in the area near the City of Frostburg.

Anne Arundel

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $213,176.77 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to reconstruct the existing basketball courts at Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park, and install a new playground, paved ADA sidewalks, and pathways connecting these elements.

Baltimore City

  • A request from the Maryland Department of the Environment for new grant funding up to $17,000,000 to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for Phase 2 of the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative, Phase 2. Work involves restoring aquatic habitat and enhancing shoreline resiliency around the Baltimore Harbor and Patapsco Delta watershed. This includes habitat restoration, wetlands creation, stormwater management, and green space creation, along with various other practices. This will eventually reduce nutrient loading to Baltimore Harbor, reduce flood risks to local residents, restore aquatic habitat, and address environmental justice concerns for nearby communities.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $700,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore City to continue the renovation of the existing Ortman baseball fields at Patterson ParkA request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit an additional  $336,721 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore City to continue the renovation of the Howard Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park. This phase of the project includes structural repairs below the orchid room and replacing deteriorating window frames on the palm house.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $750,000 from the Program Open Space State Share/Baltimore City Direct Grant program to renovate the Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center.

Charles

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $293,216.97 from Rural Legacy Funds to The County Commissioners of Charles County to acquire a 72.90-acre conservation easement in the Nanjemoy-Mattawoman Forest Rural Legacy Area Rural Legacy Area (Tuana Property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive farmland and woodlands, including a 100-foot forested buffer along approximately 1,000 linear feet of an unnamed tributary to Beaverdam Creek, which flows into Nanjemoy Creek. The Nanjemoy Creek watershed is an area of statewide ecological significance that supports numerous rare plant and animal species within exceptional aquatic, wetland and terrestrial habitats. The easement will be held by the County Commissioners of Charles County. Easement value: $4,774.16/acre

Dorchester

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $180,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Dorchester County to design and construct six new pickleball courts at the School Street Athletic Complex. This includes surfacing, striping, fencing, a net system, and stormwater management.

Frederick

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit an additional $205,468 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to acquire 30.77 acres of a former farm property on the west side of Middleton for the future Harris Farm Park.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $40,041 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County for new picnic tables and perennial landscape plantings at Walkersville Community Park.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $22,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County for new fencing at East End Park.

Garrett

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $149,890 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Garrett County for the following:
    • Eastern Garrett Community Park: $61,294.76 to upgrade the playing surface at an existing field, and adding field markings, goals, spectator seating, and fencing for new lacrosse activities.
    • Grantsville Community Recreation Center: $88,595.57 to construct a parking lot and pathways and install new lighting systems.

Harford

  • A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $300,000 to Harford County, Maryland for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Schucks Road Regional Park, including restroom facilities to support Miracle League baseball. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2024 and 2025 Capital Budgets.
  • On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Board of Public Works will be considering a request to enter into a grant agreement for a $50,000 gran to Harford County, Maryland for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a new playground at Reckord Road Park. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2024 Capital Budget.

St. Mary’s

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $153,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to St. Mary’s County to renovate the barn for expanded programs and public use at Snow Hill Park.

Washington

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $135,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County to update the Mt. Briar trails. This includes constructing a trailhead parking lot, developing natural-surfaced trails, installing gates, fencing, wayfinding and park signage, and planting native perennial grasses and trees.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $36,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County to update the HVAC system, lighting, and exterior building signage at the existing interpretive museum at Pen Mar Park. The project also includes modifying the concession stand building to be a sheltered vending machine kiosk.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $110,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to the Town of Funkston to construct a pavilion, paved parking area, access roads, sidewalks, electrical upgrades, a picnic area, and associated site amenities at Poplar Street Park.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $225,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County to renovate the existing pool facility at Marty Snook Park. The project includes renovating the locker rooms, staff facilities, and concession area, constructing a new interconnected roof structure and water play and splash park features, replacing the pool pump and filtration system, expanding the fenced poolside area, and adding shade structures.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $135,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County to replace the playground equipment at Ridge Avenue Park.

Wicomico

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $742,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Worcester County for projects at the following parks:
    • Northern Worcester Athletic Complex: An additional $720,000 to develop the newly purchased property, such as adding playing fields, walking paths and a playground.
    • John Walter Smith Park: An additional $22,500 to purchase and install a new concession stand roof, and construct dugouts for three ball fields.
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit an additional $247,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Wicomico County plan to install new perimeter fencing around all four ballfields, field improvements, restroom renovation, concession stand upgrades, a new facility sign, landscaping and other site improvements at East Wicomico Little League Park.