Parks and Recreation Archives

Counties Flag Operational Challenges With Proposed Pesticide Notification Registry

On March 4, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein gave in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1237 - Pesticide Applications - Subscription Contract Requirements and Registry Establishment. This bill establishes the Residential Pollinator Protection and Neighbor Notification Registry within the Department of Agriculture for individuals to receive advance notification of pesticide applications on neighboring properties. Counties already follow strict pesticide safety regulations and public…

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March 9, 2026

Board of Public Works Approves More Than $125M for County Projects This Week

Three counties and Baltimore City received funding approvals from the Board of Public Works today, with money coming from agency grants, prior year capital budget allocations, and - the bulk of the distributions - from Program Open Space. In a regularly scheduled meeting of the Maryland Board of Public Works, $126M was approved for 10 projects across four jurisdictions. Baltimore City received almost all of that total for seven projects. Howard, Washington, and Wicomico all…

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January 7, 2026

Environment / Parks and Recreation

State Marks Major Milestone in 5M Trees Campaign

The state marked a major milestone by planting 1.5 million of its 5 million tree-planting goal. Maryland’s 5 Million Trees program has reached more than 1.5 million native trees planted, marking a major milestone and reflecting strong momentum toward reaching the state’s ambitious goal of planting 5 million trees by 2031. More than 555,330 trees were planted in Fiscal Year 2025, according to a new annual report prepared for the Maryland General Assembly. Plantings done…

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January 7, 2026

Environment / Parks and Recreation / Policy Deep Dive

Policy Deep Dive: A County’s Guide To Program Open Space

In Maryland, residents are rarely more than 15 minutes away from a park, trail, or outdoor recreational area made possible by Program Open Space (POS). From playgrounds to hiking trails and waterfront access points, this State-county partnership has built a network of outdoor spaces that define daily life for Marylanders. To date, Program Open Space has preserved hundreds of thousands of acres and built thousands of parks and conservation area projects, helping counties and municipal…

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November 19, 2025

County News / Environment / Health and Human Services / Parks and Recreation / Winter Conference

PFAS in Local Spaces: Hidden Chemicals, Real Challenges

As concern over PFAS grows nationwide, counties are taking a closer look at where these long-lasting chemicals are hiding, sometimes in the very parks and public spaces meant to promote community health and well-being. PFAS contamination has evolved from a distant environmental issue to an operational challenge for Maryland governments. Once prized for their durability and resistance to water and heat, PFAS now pose growing regulatory, financial, and public trust hurdles for counties tasked with…

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November 10, 2025

Health and Human Services / Parks and Recreation / Winter Conference

“Forever Chemicals” Leave a Lasting Mark at Bay Head Park

Once a Cold War missile site, Anne Arundel’s Bay Head Park still carries the lasting footprint of military-era “forever chemicals.” As reported in a recent Eye on Annapolis article, Bay Head Park in Anne Arundel County has a long and complex history, one that stretches from Cold War military operations to a modern-day environmental health challenge. Testing and research at the former Navy site introduced PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” into local soil and water, leaving…

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October 28, 2025

County News / Environment / Health and Human Services / Parks and Recreation

Calvert County Parks & Rec Unveils New Orienteering Course

The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation announces the unveiling of a new orienteering course at Ward Farm Recreation & Nature Park in Dunkirk. The course was designed by Eagle Scout Seamus Casada of Troop 789. An orienteering course is a mapped route that guides participants through a series of checkpoints called controls, which participants must find using a map and compass. It is a sport that combines navigation, physical activity, and decision-making. The…

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October 2, 2025

County News / Environment / Parks and Recreation / Transportation and Public Works

WB&A Trail Bridge Opens, Connecting Counties and Communities

Officials from the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and local advocacy groups celebrated the completion of the WB&A Trail Patuxent River Bridge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. From the press release: “This bridge is proof of what happens when we work together across county lines,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “By connecting the WB&A Trail, we’ve given our residents and visitors a safer, healthier way to get where they’re going…

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September 25, 2025

County News / Parks and Recreation

Maryland’s New Trails Strategic Plan Supports Local Communities

Maryland's new Trails Strategic Plan lays out a path for safer, more accessible routes that strengthen local communities. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released its Statewide Transportation Trails Strategic Plan, outlining a vision for a safer, more connected trail network that strengthens communities and expands multimodal transportation options across the state. The plan emphasizes safety, accessibility, and equity while linking Marylanders to jobs, schools, parks, transit, and local destinations. It also supports other…

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September 9, 2025

County News / Parks and Recreation / Summer Conference

More Than Just Green Space: How Parks Are Transforming Maryland

When we think about what makes a community vibrant, healthy, and economically strong, parks and recreation may not always be the first thing that comes to mind. But perhaps they should be. Across Maryland—from the 30,000 acres of parkland in Prince George’s County to over half a million acres statewide—parks are proving to be more than just green spaces. They are economic drivers, public health assets, and powerful tools for community development. The Honorable Delegate Regina…

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August 19, 2025