ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland will acquire 15 forested acres in Washington County next to South Mountain State Park, expanding protected public land along the Appalachian Trail corridor.
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $82,000 in Program Open Space Stateside funding for the acquisition during its meeting this week, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The property adjoins South Mountain State Park and is expected to provide a buffer for the Appalachian Trail corridor. State officials said the purchase also will help protect water quality in the Antietam Creek watershed, preserve habitat for migratory birds and create additional outdoor recreation opportunities.
The land purchase was among more than $9 million in recreation and land-conservation grants approved by the three-member board for projects in several Maryland counties.
More than $8.3 million in Program Open Space Local funding was approved for local government projects, including continued construction of the Edgewater Recreation Center in Anne Arundel County. The facility is planned to include indoor and outdoor recreation amenities.
The board also approved funding for improvements at the Rubini Athletic Complex in Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County. Planned upgrades include sports courts, parking areas, roadways, utilities and lighting.
In Prince George’s County, the city of Laurel received approval for funding to build a new 7-acre park at Anderson Corner. The park is planned to include an inclusive playground, trails, courts and a pavilion.
Maryland’s Board of Public Works consists of Gov. Wes Moore, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman.
