This week?s approval of funding for a new Baltimore County park could soon become a commodity, lawmakers fear.
Plans for a park in Kingsville are under way after the state?s Board of Public Works this week authorized $941,000 for the county?s purchase of a 25-acre parcel in the northeast corner of Raphel Road and Interstate 95. But legislators said park funds could be the first to go as Gov. Martin O?Malley prepares to make $550 million in budget cuts to curb the state?s $1.5 billion deficit.
“We can hope,” said Del. Steve Lafferty, a Towson Democrat. “But when you?re looking at $550 million in cuts, things like that are victims.”
The funds come from the designated county share of the state?s Program Open Space, drawn from local transfer taxes.
The state can, during difficult budget times, defer payment or withhold local allocations, said Robert Barrett, director of the county?s recreation and parks department.
“We won?t know whether or not what?s due to us will come in full and intact until next year,” Barrett said.
Details of the Kingsville park remain undetermined. The allocation funds land acquisition only, Barrett said, and no dollars have been identified for park design or construction. The county will host a community meeting after settlement to discuss “wants and don?t-wants,” Barrett said.
Once completed, Barrett said he expects the park to attract 33,000 visitors each year.
The county will submit its state funding requests for capital projects in January, officials said.
The board also approved Wednesday spending $792,000 to preserve 126 acres in the Piney Run Watershed ? adding to about 11,000 acres already in permanent preservation ? and spending $500,000 in state-controlled dollars for a 7-acre parcel in Owings Mills? Soldiers Delight park.
