Fun Fact: Trees in Transition – Colorful Counties
County News / Environment / Fun Fact / Parks and Recreation
Fun Fact: Trees in Transition – Colorful Counties

Did you know the Maryland Department of Natural Resources features a weekly fall foliage report every year starting in September? It’s true! The department highlights the trees’ transition each week with reports from experts with Maryland state forest and parks. The reports also include photos from various counties submitted by outdoor enthusiasts who capture the changing colors. Counties in Western Maryland are typically the first to see changes in the leaves. Garrett County has hit…

Comments Off on Fun Fact: Trees in Transition – Colorful Counties
October 14, 2021
Fun Fact: Getting to the Root of It….240 Years in the Making
Agriculture / County News / Fun Fact / Parks and Recreation
Fun Fact: Getting to the Root of It….240 Years in the Making

This week, Harford County announced the preservation of a 240-year-old root cellar. It is the last freestanding cellar in the county and one of very few that remain in Maryland. Root cellars are underground or partially underground shelters that were used to store vegetables, fruits, and other foods before refrigeration. Most cellars were built as part of houses, but others were separate structures. In the late 1700s, planter Aquila Scott lived on and worked the…

Comments Off on Fun Fact: Getting to the Root of It….240 Years in the Making
October 7, 2021
State Park Leaders Echo Concerns Presented by MACo and Others
County News / Environment / Parks and Recreation / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Tourism
State Park Leaders Echo Concerns Presented by MACo and Others

At the latest hearing of the State Park Investment Commission, State Park Leaders voiced funding concerns and stressed the need for investment.  Echoing the testimony of local government officials in September, leaders of Maryland's state parks told the State Park Investment Commission about the dire need for investment. Currently, park rangers make just under $12 an hour, making retention a constant challenge. The pandemic has highlighted the need for outdoor recreational space and the value…

Comments Off on State Park Leaders Echo Concerns Presented by MACo and Others
October 6, 2021
2022 Keep Maryland Beautiful Applications Open
County News / Environment / Parks and Recreation / Public Works
2022 Keep Maryland Beautiful Applications Open

The program has $320,000 for grants related to Community Beautification, Greening, and Environmental Initiatives. Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants are part of a partnership between Forever Maryland and the Maryland Environmental Trust. For 2022, the program is funded up to $320,000. Grants can be used to fund city beautification projects, greening, and other environmental initiatives. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2021.  "'We are pleased to work with our partners again to offer Keep Maryland…

Comments Off on 2022 Keep Maryland Beautiful Applications Open
October 4, 2021
Calvert Earns National Parks and Recreation Accreditation
Leadership / Parks and Recreation / Tourism
Calvert Earns National Parks and Recreation Accreditation

Calvert County recently earned National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation. Calvert County's Department of Parks & Recreation recently received accreditation through the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). This prestigious accreditation is granted to first in class parks departments nationally. "'Achieving CAPRA accreditation is proof of Calvert County’s commitment to providing world-class parks, facilities, and programs to our residents,' said Board of County Commissioners President Earl F.…

Comments Off on Calvert Earns National Parks and Recreation Accreditation
September 30, 2021
Hogan Announces Office of Outdoor Recreation
Environment / Parks and Recreation / Tourism
Hogan Announces Office of Outdoor Recreation

Governor Hogan announces the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation and names J. Daryl Anthony to serve as executive director. In a press release last Friday, Governor Larry Hogan announced the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, a brand new office within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The governor named J. Daryl Anthony, a 35-year DNR veteran and former assistant secretary, as the office's new executive director "'One of our state’s…

Comments Off on Hogan Announces Office of Outdoor Recreation
September 27, 2021
MACo & Others Testify On State Park Concerns
Environment / Parks and Recreation / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Tourism / Transportation and Public Works
MACo & Others Testify On State Park Concerns

Yesterday, MACo, along with other local government leaders, testified before the State Park Investment Commission on a number of concerns facing state parks. Steven Miller, Director of Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism, noted that county parks saw a 33% increase in use while at the same time they experienced a 33% shortage in staffing. "'We get behind on routine tasks, the grass doesn’t stop growing,'...'At times, the level of service suffers and then we…

Comments Off on MACo & Others Testify On State Park Concerns
September 22, 2021
Hogan Announces $16.8M to Advance 42 Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
Environment / Parks and Recreation / Public Works / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Tourism
Hogan Announces $16.8M to Advance 42 Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects

Hogan announced $16.8M in grants to support bicycle, pedestrian, and trail improvements through 42 projects across the state.   In Annapolis today, Governor Hogan announced $16.8M in grants to fund 42 projects with a focus on designing bike lanes, rebuilding trails, and improving multi-modal connectivity.   The funding package is composed of three main parts:   $12.4M in federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)  $1M through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP)  $3.4M in state…

Comments Off on Hogan Announces $16.8M to Advance 42 Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
September 20, 2021
Fun Fact: Go Chasing Waterfalls in These Counties
Fun Fact / Parks and Recreation / Tourism
Fun Fact: Go Chasing Waterfalls in These Counties

Maryland is home to several waterfalls, but Garrett and Frederick County have two that really make a splash. Courtesy MD DNR website At Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, you can visit Muddy Creek Falls. This 53-foot-tall stunner is the highest free-falling waterfall in the state of Maryland and is surrounded by impressive hemlock trees that date back more than 300 years. Some well-known visitors include Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone who…

Comments Off on Fun Fact: Go Chasing Waterfalls in These Counties
September 16, 2021
Parks Commission Kicks Off, Local Gov’ts to Testify at Next Meeting
County News / Parks and Recreation
Parks Commission Kicks Off, Local Gov’ts to Testify at Next Meeting

This past Friday, the State Park Investment Commission met for the first time over Zoom, kicking off an investigation into questions around state park funding and access.   The Commission is chaired by Former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening. Committee members include: House Majority Leader Eric Luedtke Appropriations Vice Chair Mark Chang Delegate Regina T. Boyce Delegate Jeff Ghrist Senate Capital Budget Chair Craig Zucker Senator Sarah Elfreth Senator Obie Patterson Senator George Edwards The State Park Investment…

Comments Off on Parks Commission Kicks Off, Local Gov’ts to Testify at Next Meeting
September 13, 2021
Older Posts →

© 2019 All rights reserved

Close Menu