Parks and Recreation Archives

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

Environment / Parks and Recreation

Chesapeake Bay Program Surpasses 300-Site Goal

Expanding access to the Chesapeake Bay is a tangible way to strengthen communities and support state and local priorities. With over 300 new public access sites now open, the region is making meaningful progress toward a more accessible and inclusive Bay. In a press release from the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Program has officially exceeded its longstanding goal to expand public access across the Bay watershed. This achieved goal represents a win for recreation, tourism,…

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August 6, 2025

County Budgets / County News / Emergency Management / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Parks and Recreation / Risk Management

Charles Awarded Grant for Innovative Stormwater Pocket Park

The Charles County Resilience Authority, in partnership with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, and the Department of Planning and Growth Management, has announced the award of a $438,000 grant for the construction of the Waldorf Elite Gymnastics Stormwater Pocket Park. From the county press release: “We’re excited about the Stormwater Pocket Park at the Waldorf Elite Gymnastics Center, which will transform unused space into vibrant green space for our residents. This project supports…

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July 17, 2025

Parks and Recreation / Summer Conference

The Bottom Line on Green Spaces: ROI of Parks and Recreation

Green spaces can be a significant health and financial boost for communities. Hear from panelists about the importance of investing in parks and recreation. Investing in parks and recreation programs has proven to strengthen community well-being, promoting physical activity, mental health, and social connection. These spaces support environmental sustainability, improve air and water quality, provide safe, inclusive places for residents of all ages, and have been shown to raise property values. MACo’s The Bottom Line…

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July 7, 2025

Parks and Recreation / Summer Conference

State Invests $3.2M for Parks Projects Across Nine Counties

The Board of Public Works approved $3.2 million for the trails and park facilities across nine counties. Last month, the Board of Public Works approved more than $3.2 million in grants to local governments from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to construct trails and park facilities in Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Prince George’s, Washington, and Worcester counties. About $2.35 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for ten projects. In Baltimore,…

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July 1, 2025