Governor Hogan’s Budget Supports Outdoor Access Across Maryland
Maryland DNR photo
Annapolis, MD - The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) request to fund the first group of Community Parks & Playgrounds Program for Fiscal Year 2023.
Overall, Governor Larry Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget included $5 million to 39 local projects statewide, providing greater access to outdoor recreation for all Marylanders. The first round included 16 of the projects. The Board of Public Works will review the funding items during the coming fiscal year.
Once the funding is released, DNR provides flexible grants to municipalities to rehabilitate, expand, or improve existing parks, create new parks, or purchase and install playground equipment.
“The Community Parks & Playgrounds Program invests in the future of Maryland’s communities by developing and revitalizing parks and playgrounds statewide,” Maryland DNR Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “From nature trails to accessible playgrounds, athletic fields, splash pads, and other outdoor gathering spaces, this program benefits all Marylanders.”
The following Community Parks & Playgrounds Projects were approved July 27 by the Board of Public Works:
Allegany County Barton Meadow Park Pavilion equipment $100,000 Caroline County Preston James T. Wright Park – meditation garden $18,200 Templeville Templeville Community Park restoration $141,300 Carroll County Westminster Westminster Municipal Pool inclusive spray ground enhancement $113,000 Dorchester County Vienna Vienna baseball/softball field $208,295 Frederick County Emmitsburg Silo Hill playground improvements $146,263 Montgomery County Gaithersburg Morris Park Playground replacement $275,000 Rockville Croydon Creek Nature Center playground expansion $96,014 Prince George’s County North Brentwood Rhode Island Pocket Park $30,000 University Park Community Park tot lot renovation $225,000 Upper Marlboro Community Park Playground Phase 3 splash pad $192,424 Talbot County Oxford Oxford Causeway basketball/pickleball court $40,000 Wicomico County Mardela Springs Mardela Springs Park baseball field $210,943 Willards Willards Town Park improvements $250,000 Worcester County Berlin Dr. William Henry Park basketball court lighting $111,650 Ocean City Northside Park playground equipment $265,400
To date, more than $84 million in grant funding has been approved for over 832 park and playground projects since the program’s inception.
DNR is now accepting grant proposals for the FY24 Community Parks & Playgrounds Program. All municipalities throughout the state are invited to apply. Grant proposals will be reviewed and considered for submission as part of the Governor’s FY24 budget.
More information on the Community Parks & Playgrounds Program is available on the DNR website.
