County Executive Rolls Out $4M Plan for Towson Open Space

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced a plan Wednesday that will lead to the creation of two new turf fields and a passive park in Towson, where the community has been rallying for open space.

• Towson Residents Take Stand for Open Space

Funding for the $4 million project is a public-private venture involving local government, a developer, the Baltimore Ravens and community organizations, according to a statement from Baltimore County government.

Baltimore County will put $3.2 million toward the project, the statement said.

An additional $800,000 will come from the following partners:

• $200,000 from the Baltimore Ravens
• $200,000 from Caves Valley Partners (Towson City Center and Towson Row developer)
• $200,000 from Towson Recreation Council and Boosters Club (previously committed) for Towson High turf field
• $150,000 from Towsontowne Recreation Council for George Washington Carver turf field
• A request is also pending before the Carver Foundation.

It will cost $800,000 for each turf field, according to the county.

In addition, the county plans to turn the area in front of the Towson courthouse into a passive park. There will be a request for proposals put out in the next 60 days, according to the county.

Here is what the statement said about the park:

The County also plans to repurpose the existing concrete Patriot Plaza in front of the County Courts Building into an attractive passive park, complementing the renowned Historic Courthouse Gardens.

The Patriot Plaza project would involve removing the existing fountain and concrete pavers, adding green space and a park setting. The 40-year-old fountain was shut down last year after persistent leaking into county office space that is sited underneath the fountain.

The County expects to issue a Request for Proposal in the next sixty days, soliciting a range of creative options to better utilize the open space for all citizens, not just those entering into the courthouse. $1.6 million has been budgeted for the landscaping project, which will be supplemented with an additional $1.4 million for underground corrective maintenance.

“...I am delighted that the Towsontowne Rec Council, the Ravens and Caves Valley Partners stepped up to the plate,” Kamenetz siad. “I am also excited about the opportunity to provide better open space opportunities in the heart of Towson in between the Historic Courthouse and the County Courts Building.”

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