The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the awarding of 23 Community Parks and Playgrounds Program grants – totaling $2.5 million – to municipalities across the state.
From pickleball courts in Ocean City to new playground equipment in Mountain Lake Park, the program provides essential funding for the creation, enhancement and renovation of recreational facilities in Maryland’s incorporated cities and towns.
“This department program is so important to communities and municipalities across Maryland,” Land Acquisition and Planning Director Emily Wilson said. “Our cities and towns really rely on this critical funding for needed recreational amenities designed to improve the quality of life of all our citizens and their neighborhoods.”
The following Community Parks and Playgrounds Program projects were included in Governor Larry Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget, which was presented to the Board of Public Works for final approval:
Municipality
Project Project Details
Cost
Aberdeen Aberdeen Festival Park Playground Expand existing playground area by adding a tot lot for smaller children. $50,000
Baltimore City Violetville Park Playground Replace outdated playground equipment and safety surface. $177,077
Boonsboro Shafer Park Playground Purchase and installation of new playground equipment and replace 20+ year old equipment. $60,000
Chesapeake City Union Street Park Create a passive park including a public water-view location and access point to the Canal Trail. $115,995
Cumberland Cumberland and Allegany College Softball Field Build a softball field for community and college use. $120,000
Delmar Gordy Park Replace the existing 25+ year old pavilion with a 20′ x 20′ laminated wood gabled shelter with electricity. $44,680
Edmonston Edmonston’s 47th Avenue Park Convert an existing underutilized tennis court to a futsal court, install a rain garden to address runoff, and replace fence. $47,221
Forest Heights Anne Reifsneider Memorial Park Develop a vacant lot into new green community gathering place with outdoor stage, benches, shade canopy and rain garden. $22,000
Hagerstown City Park Playground Purchase and installation of barrier free playground for the south end of City Park. $100,000
Havre De Grace Tydings Park Playground Expand the playground area, incorporating accessible playground equipment. $264,407
Leonardtown Robert Miedzinski Park Playground Replace existing outdated wooden playground with new equipment and rubber safety surfacing to enhance Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility. $200,000
Middletown Memorial Park Replace current tot lot equipment to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. $16,993
Mount Airy Watkins Park Tennis Court Purchase and installation of 5 backboard panels for tennis practice and play. $5,635
Mountain Lake Park Woddell Park Renovate playground and install security cameras. $80,974
Oakland Broadford Recreation Stage Build a stage with a shell for concerts, plays, and community events held at the park. $80,000
Ocean City Gorman Park Pickleball Courts Construction of a dedicated outdoor play space for pickleball, a mix of ping pong, tennis and paddleball. $115,000
Port Deposit Main Street Park Basketball Court Construct improvements to the existing basketball court, goals and benches. $42,489
Rockville Croydon Park Playground Replace existing 21 year old playground, install new picnic tables, benches, pads and trash cans. $131,500
Salisbury Salisbury Skate Park Design and construction of an additional 4,200 square feet of poured-in-place concrete skating surface. $180,000
Smithsburg Veterans Park Purchase and installation of a rock climbing wall and a generation swing which allows an adult to swing with a child. $10,000
University Park University Park Wells Run Playground Repurpose two existing tennis courts into a playground area with large play structures for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, swings, shade structure, tables and other amenities. $262,000
Westernport Creekside Park Playground Construct new playground. $174,029
Williamsport Byron Memorial Park Playground Purchase and installation of a fully inclusive and accessible playground and safety surface suited for children with disabilities. $200,000