ANNAPOLIS (Aug. 23, 2007) – The Board of Public Works (BPW) yesterday approved Program Open Space funding that will be used to preserve more than 38 acres of natural lands in Baltimore and Frederick Counties, and fund shore erosion control, local park expansion and park improvement projects in 10 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.
Seventeen local Program Open Space projects were also approved at Wednesday’s meeting—one of which was for Southern Maryland. In St. Mary’s County, a $125,000 grant was approved to construct a picnic pavilion and complete pedestrian trails at the John G. Lancaster Park in Lexington Park.
Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of 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.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of more than 321,000 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.