Story Category: Regional News »

Last week, Governor Martin O’Malley announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of local-side Program Open Space (POS) funds for creation of a new regional park in Charles County.

“Creation of new regional and local parks would often not be possible without the financial assistance that local-side Program Open Space offers,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin.

Pisgah Park, a 234+ acre regional park and sports facility will offer multiple soccer, baseball and football fields, a BMX bike course, mountain bike trail, playground area, picnic facilities, and dog park.  Development of this regional park, serving residents of Indian Head and Bryans Road, will be partially financed (70 percent) with $1,874,000 local-side POS funds.  The Park’s energy efficient outdoor recreational lighting system is designed to minimize light pollution.  Once established, Charles County expects up to 40,000 visits to the new park annually.

In total the BPW approved funding for 14 local park and recreation areas and preservation of more than 4,566 acres of agricultural and forest land in 18 Counties today.

Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 322,355 acres for open space and recreation areas.  Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.

Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.  The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.