Rocky Gap improvements part of O’Malley budget

Funds also going to Garrett trail project

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Im-provements at Rocky Gap State Park and on Garrett County trails are part of nearly $23 million that Gov. Martin O’Malley has proposed in the fiscal 2013 capital budget for state park and other public land projects.

The draft budget includes $773,000 for office improvements at Rocky Gap; $150,000 for trail construction in Garrett state parks; and $1.9 million for Washington County’s Western Maryland Rail Trail Project.

Other statewide estimates include $1.4 million for new, natural playgrounds in state parks; $900,000 for green cabin renovations; and $540,000 for removal of impermeable surfaces.

O’Malley made the announcement at Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis and said that the projects will support nearly 300 jobs, help restore the environment, reduce energy usage and improve services to visitors.

“Our state parks are tremendous economic engines in our state with a $650 million annual impact on our local economies, a great resource for Maryland families, and a big part of why our tourism industry remains so strong even in tough times,” O’Malley said.

The funding includes more than $14 million from the governor’s capital budget in addition to $8.7 million derived from the Department of Natural Re-sources annual transfer tax allocation.

“I applaud Gov. O’Malley for making this critical investment in our public lands during these difficult financial times,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. The Maryland Park Service has committed to “green” its 66 state parks by focusing on energy improvements, state-of-the-art building design and construction, sustainable trails and recycling, as well as reforestation and stormwater management improvements to help the Chesapeake Bay.

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