The Maryland Department of Transportation has released a new online tool of a comprehensive interactive trails map.  In response to growing interest in trails, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) led a comprehensive interagency planning effort to develop a long-term strategic plan to guide the implementation of a s trail network throughout the State. Many county governments, and in particular, experts from Parks and Recreation departments, worked intensely with the state over the past year…

The National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) annually recognizes the excellence of county-level parks and recreation departments through its Annual Awards Program.  NACPRO is now accepting nominations for outstanding achievement in the categories of park and recreation facilities, programs, and staff, NACo reports.  Awards will be presented at the July 2010 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition  in Reno, Nevada.  Applications must be postmarked by April 9, 2010.   Details are available on the NACPRO website.  Click here to view NACPRO 2009 Awards.

In response to safety concerns raised by the public, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted a study on the use of recycled tire materials (commonly called "tire crumb" or "crumb rubber") for playgrounds and artificial turf fields. The limited-scaled scoping study contains the following findings:  (1) testing and data collection techniques were found to be appropriate; (2)  concentrations of particulate matter and metals (including lead) were above ambient background levels at a playground site with…