anchor Description
The Legacy Open Space initiative identifies open space lands that should be acquired and interpreted because of exceptional natural or cultural value to current and future generations of Montgomery County residents. The project funds acquisition (in-fee and easement) of open-space lands of countywide significance. Priorities are updated during each CIP cycle but remain flexible to allow the Montgomery County Planning Board to address development threats, opportunity acquisitions, and joint funding opportunities. The County Council encourages the Commission to seek supplemental appropriations if approved CIP funding is insufficient. Non-County funding sources are expected to contribute significantly to the Legacy Open Space program. Contributions will appear in the PDF Expenditure and Funding Schedules only if the contribution is spent by the County or M-NCPPC. Donations of land or non-County funded payments that go directly to property owners are not included. The combination of these non-County and County funds have resulted in the successful protection of over 5,400 acres of open space in the County, including over 3,850 acres of new parkland.
anchorCost Change
Schedule adjusted due to affordability while also maintaining the historical project balance of $100 million.
anchor Justification
The Vision 2030 Strategic Plan for Parks and Recreation in Montgomery County (2010) and the 2017 Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan recommend placing priority on conservation of natural open spaces, protection of heritage resources, providing critical urban open spaces, and expanded interpretive activities in parks. Legacy Open Space: Open Space Conservation in the 21st Century, approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in October 1999. Legacy Open Space Functional Master Plan adopted by the County Council in July 2001.
anchorFiscal Note
Reduction in FY22 Current Revenue: General from non-recommended reductions, and G.O. Bonds were reduced in FY23-25 and slipped to FY26 for fiscal capacity.FY18 reduction of $100k in Current Revenue to reflect the FY18 Savings Plan. Modifications reflect Resolution 19-322 that was approved December 10, 2019 after the Department's CIP submission in November, 2019. The resolution provided a transfer of funds to the Acquisition: Non-Local Parks CIP project related to the acquisition of park land in Wheaton.
anchorDisclosures
Expenditures will continue indefinitely.
M-NCPPC asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.
anchorCoordination
Park Acquisitions 872301, Acquisition: Local Parks 767828, Acquisition: Non-Local Parks 998798, ALARF: M-NCPPC 727007, Bethesda Park Impact Payment PDF 872002, Restoration of Historic Structures 808494, State of Maryland.