November 18, 2020 Baltimore County

Administration’s Latest Program Open Space Purchase Will Allow for Future Neighborhood Park Development

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the purchase of a 7.7-acre parcel of land at 8800 Greens Lane, adjacent to the County complex that houses the Randallstown Community Center, the Liberty Senior Center and the Liberty Family Resource Center. The site, which is highly suitable for a neighborhood park, was purchased for $497,000 as part of Program Open Space (POS).

This is the fifth park acquisition under the Olszewski administration.

“Creating more parks and recreational opportunities is a critical component of our efforts to improve the quality of life for all Baltimore County residents,” Olszewski said. “As we continue our efforts to revitalize the Liberty Road Corridor, this acquisition will ensure we can create a vibrant new space for residents to enjoy.”

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity to expand both green and recreational space for Randallstown and its surrounding communities,” said County Councilman Julian Jones, who represents the area. “I’m thankful for County Executive Olszewski for his commitment to working with our communities to improve our quality of life and bring joy children and adults for many years to come.”

The 8800 Greens Lane parcel is surrounded by densely populated residential neighborhoods that do not currently have access to a nearby neighborhood park. In the Liberty Road Study initiated by the Olszewski Administration, “providing additional parks, open/green spaces, and recreational facilities” were among the most frequently voiced recommendations from the study’s public input process.

Because the site is located next to the Randallstown Community Center complex, the County’s acquisition of the site will allow for a pedestrian connection complex from surrounding neighborhoods. This connection, which will require construction of a pedestrian bridge, will create synergy between the two sites, while also allowing nearby residents to walk to those facilities.

In addition to much-needed green space for the community, the purchase of the parcel will allow for the preservation of sensitive environmental areas, including the forest buffer adjacent to the stream that traverses the eastern edge of the property.

About the Program

Established under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space provides financial and technical assistance to local jurisdictions for the planning, acquisition and development of recreation land or open space areas.

Since 1970, the County has utilized nearly $135 million in POS funding to assist in the acquisition of more than 6,800 acres of parkland, and for the construction, enhancements and renovations of recreational facilities at parks and public school recreation centers. The parkland acquisition program has allowed for the preservation of thousands of acres of woodlands, stream valleys and other sensitive lands.

Through support of POS funding, Baltimore County has secured or expanded critical public sites including Oregon Ridge Nature Center and Park, Cromwell Valley Park, Marshy Point Nature Center, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, Reisterstown Park, Northwest Park, Meadowood Park, Rosedale Park, Eastern Regional Park, and much more.