Read more about the article FY27 Community Parks & Playgrounds Grants Now Open
Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Parks and Recreation
FY27 Community Parks & Playgrounds Grants Now Open

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting grant proposals for the FY 2027 Community Parks and Playgrounds program. The Community Parks and Playgrounds program provides flexible grants to rehabilitate, expand, or improve existing parks, create new parks, or purchase and install playground equipment. The proposals will be reviewed and considered for submission to the General Assembly as part of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget. Governor Wes Moore’s FY 2026 budget included a total of…

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June 25, 2025
Read more about the article Washington County Adds 173 Acres to Its Permanently Preserved Lands
News You Can Use / Parks and Recreation / Planning and Zoning
Washington County Adds 173 Acres to Its Permanently Preserved Lands

Washington County just added another 173 acres to its growing list of protected properties, bringing the county’s total preserved land to over 42,000 acres. Washington County recently finalized a Rural Legacy Program easement to permanently preserve a 173.54-acre farm along Shepherdstown Pike in Sharpsburg. The property adds to an expanding block of contiguous preserved land. This latest effort builds momentum for surrounding property owners to consider permanent easements and reflects the county’s continued investment in…

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June 5, 2025
Read more about the article Transfer Tax 101: What to Know About Program Open Space Funding
County News / Parks and Recreation / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues
Transfer Tax 101: What to Know About Program Open Space Funding

Every time someone buys a home or piece of land in Maryland, a small portion of that transaction helps preserve the state's natural beauty and expand community parks. But as real estate markets fluctuate, so too does the funding that counties rely on to protect open spaces and deliver quality outdoor recreation. For more than half a century, Program Open Space (POS) has been one of Maryland’s most effective tools for preserving land and expanding…

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June 4, 2025
Read more about the article MD Launches 25 in 2025 Statewide Parks Challenge
Environment / Parks and Recreation / Tourism
MD Launches 25 in 2025 Statewide Parks Challenge

The Maryland Park Service has launched the 25 in 2025 Adventure Challenge, inviting individuals and families to complete at least 25 themed activities across Maryland’s state parks by November 15, 2025. The program showcases the park system's rich natural and historical variety, from island hikes and lighthouse visits to disc golf and geological discoveries. Participants can mix and match challenges, and while registration isn’t required, those who donate $25 will be eligible for a prize…

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May 22, 2025
Read more about the article MD Parks Service Rolls Out Reservation System at Packed State Parks
Photo from MD Dept of Natural Resources - Sandy Point State Park
County News / Parks and Recreation
MD Parks Service Rolls Out Reservation System at Packed State Parks

Maryland Parks Service will be requiring reservations for two state parks due to overcrowding. As reported by Maryland Matters, Maryland is launching a mandatory reservation system at Greenbrier and Sandy Point State Parks on weekends and holidays, starting Memorial Day weekend. These two parks have seen overwhelming visitor numbers in recent years, with long entry lines, traffic backups, and staff pulled from essential duties to manage the crowds. The new system aims to reduce chaos…

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May 21, 2025
Read more about the article Board of Public Works Approves $1.9 M for County Parks
Board of Public Works / Environment / Parks and Recreation
Board of Public Works Approves $1.9 M for County Parks

With almost $2 million in new grants approved, Cecil, Frederick, and Somerset counties are set to upgrade parks and safeguard critical farmland, fueling healthier communities and stronger local economies. The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved over $1.9 million for park improvements and land conservation projects in Cecil, Frederick, and Somerset counties. The funding comes through several Maryland Department of Natural Resources programs, including Program Open Space Local, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Community…

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May 13, 2025
Read more about the article HB 717 Modernizes Program Open Space for Counties
County News / Parks and Recreation
HB 717 Modernizes Program Open Space for Counties

As communities evolve, so must the tools that support parks and recreation. A new law modernizes Program Open Space to meet today’s needs, giving counties the flexibility to build, maintain, and plan for vibrant public spaces. The Maryland General Assembly passed HB 717 – Natural Resources – Public Lands – Acquisition, Staffing, Operations, and Funding – a significant win for counties and the communities they serve. Since 1969, POS has enabled the expansion of parks,…

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April 17, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 447th legislative session was defined by one of the most challenging budget environments in over a decade — with a $3.3 billion shortfall driving proposals for aggressive cost shifts, spending cuts, and tax changes. Despite these unprecedented fiscal pressures, counties worked together through MACo to protect essential services, limit…

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April 11, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks and Recreation
MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks and Recreation

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on parks and recreation policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.  County government parks and recreation departments provide a range of public recreation programs for all population segments and maintain a large network of open spaces throughout Maryland. MACo’s advocacy seeks to support the efforts of county parks and recreation by urging state and federal funding support and defending local determination of priorities in parks…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article Baltimore County Unveils Sparrows Point Park, First Major Recreation Hub in 20+ Years
County News / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation
Baltimore County Unveils Sparrows Point Park, First Major Recreation Hub in 20+ Years

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, the Department of Recreation and Parks, elected officials, and community stakeholders participated in a ribbon cutting event at Sparrows Point Park, the first new major recreational site in Southeast Baltimore County in more than two decades.  Located on a portion of what was once one of the world's largest steel-producing and shipbuilding companies in the country, the accessible and sustainably designed waterfront park pays homage to Bethlehem Steel’s industrial and…

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March 27, 2025
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