Olszewski Announces Nearly 110 Acre Land Acquisition for Parks and Recreation Opportunities in Windsor Mill

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced the purchase of a nearly 110 acre parcel of land situated in the 7800 block of Dogwood Road in the Windsor Mill area of western Baltimore County.

The site, acquired $847,000 with Maryland’s Program Open Space (POS) grant funds, is the Olszewski administration’s largest single acquisition to date and continues the administration’s efforts to expand park and recreation opportunities throughout Baltimore County.

“Baltimore County believes in the power of investing in the public spaces that bring our residents together and draw visitors from all over,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We thank the Department of Natural Resources for helping us to fund this important purchase, which will support the conservation of nearly 110 acres of woodlands and streams and create recreational opportunities for future generations to enjoy.”

The 108.9 acre acquisition will preserve approximately 100 acres of woodlands, as well as streams that flow into Dogwood Run, a Baltimore County Master Plan designated recreational greenway. The numerous trails that run through the property, formerly used for hunting, will offer expanded opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and bird-watching.

“The Department has frequently received public requests to increase access to hiking and biking trails. This 100 plus acre acquisition represents a first important step towards providing that needed and valuable access,” said Recreation and Parks Acting Director Bob Smith. “We would like to thank the public for their consistent advocacy for parks and the County Executive for his continued support for improving the public’s access to recreation opportunities”

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 $163 million in POS funding to assist in the acquisition of properties to serve as parks and other recreation sites, and for the construction, enhancement, and renovations of recreational facilities. The parkland acquisition program has allowed for the preservation of thousands of acres of woodlands, stream valleys and other sensitive lands.

With the support of POS funding, Baltimore County has secured, expanded, and improved a wide range of public parks and recreation sites including Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center, Cromwell Valley Park, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, seven regional parks and athletic facilities, and nearly 100 neighborhood and community parks.