We walk trails, visit parks, hunt state forests, relax on beaches, fish from public piers, and play on playgrounds all the time without giving much thought as to how these outdoor recreation assets came to be. But a common thread that exists at most of these places is something called Program Open Space.
Now, unless you’re involved in public land management or a municipality planning department, you probably haven’t heard much about it. But in most states, there is some type of open space program that is the backbone of how land is acquired and managed for public use. In fact, if it wasn’t for open space funding, Delmarva Trails & Waterways probably wouldn’t even exist because there wouldn’t be enough content for this website!
While each state’s program is funded and managed a little bit differently, right now we need to specifically shine a light on Maryland’s Program Open Space. The reason we are focusing on Maryland today is because Maryland’s Project Open Space is at risk of being deleted for the next 4 years. That means no new parks, trails, playgrounds, beaches or other public recreation facilities will be funded through the program. This would be a huge loss to both Maryland’s residents and visitors.
But what IS Program Open Space, you ask? It comes from a transfer tax that is paid every time someone purchases property or land in Maryland. Those funds are specifically earmarked for Program Open Space to balance out development with the protection of lands.
And it’s not just parks and trails that get funded from the transfer tax. It protects farmland and our agricultural industry through conservation easements, and helps to tell the story of Maryland’s cultural heritage by slowing development and preserving natural landscapes.
Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services is proposing to move all the funds of Program Open Space into the general fund, essentially putting land conservation and the development of outdoor recreational spaces at a complete standstill.
If you are passionate about natural landscapes, outdoor spaces, public land, agricultural heritage, and slowing down development, make your voice heard! Not sure how? The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has some great suggestions on who to contact and what to say. In addition, if you are in a position to help spread the word about this, they have an excellent toolkit with materials to help get the word out.
