Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens continued her quest this week to preserve acreage in the county for agriculture and outdoor recreation by including another $3.5 million in her proposed budget for preservation.
Owens announced Monday she would pursue negotiations this year to purchase property in the Annapolis Roads area, a residential neighborhood on the peninsula south of downtown Annapolis.
“The property, if acquired, will remain open space and be enjoyed for all future generations,” she said.
Along with the new county funding, Owens? budget also included $16 million in state Program Open Space money. In the past, open space funds have been used to preserve parcels like the Looper property in Pasadena that houses community ball fields and nature trails.
County spokeswoman Pam Jordan said the county was discussing the purchase of the 80-acre Annapolis Roads golf course that has been threatened before.
Last year, the community rallied to purchase some 30 acres ofwoods to prevent plans for a 40-lot subdivision. Ribera Development, the company behind the proposed housing project, was also involved in negotiations to develop the adjacent golf course property for new ballfields and a gymnasium for St. Mary?s High School.
Since 1979, 11,500 acres of agricultural and forest land have been preserved in Anne Arundel.
