Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, who today chaired the Board of Public Works (BPW), announced approval of recreational projects in St. Mary’s and Washington Counties through Program Open Space.

“I am pleased to support these local recreational projects,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “Not only do these areas promote active, healthy lifestyles, they help build a sense of community by strengthening ties among residents.”

St. Mary’s County will receive $75,000 to create a design for the new Leonardtown Community Park on 25 acres of the Hayden Farm property in Leonardtown. The park will include multi-purpose athletic fields, a playground, parking and restroom facilities.

Washington County will receive:

  • $58,500 to design and install control components, software and pumps to upgrade the existing 23-year-old irrigation system at Black Rock Golf Course. The new system will be much more efficient and cost effective, reducing water usage and energy consumption.
  • $36,000 to upgrade the 4-acre Mount Tammany Park with a small pavilion, handicapped-accessible playground equipment, two multi-purpose areas, tree plantings and resurfacing of the existing basketball court.
  • $18,000 to replace a vertical lift that is used for ADA accessibility to the Martin Luther King Community Center’s gymnasium.

Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works has approved funding for 1,052, projects since 2007, about 18 percent of the 5,900 projects funded since the program’s inception in 1969. This includes Community Parks & Playgrounds, totaling over $298,210,330 through local-side Program Open Space since 2007.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW preserved more than 36,229 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 357, 298 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded through Program Open Space.

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