Talbot County approves Program Open Space funding for Home Run Baker playground replacement

Talbot County Council voted to accept the county’s annual Program Open Space plan to use state Program Open Space funds to replace the playground at Home Run Baker Park and to fund minor repairs to adjacent ballfields.

The plan, presented July 22 by Emily Gomer, director of Parks and Recreation, seeks state Program Open Space funds administered through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to pay 90% of the playground replacement cost; the county must provide the remaining 10% local match. Gomer said the current playground was installed about 20 years ago and the department proposes an accessible, ADA-compliant surface and new equipment; she estimated the playground budget at about $252,750 and said remaining funds would be used for ballfield fixes including bullpens.

Program Open Space funds must be used within five years for development projects or acquisitions, Gomer said, and the county is also planning future replacements at other parks that are approaching 20-year lifespans. Council members asked about whether ballfield improvements were included; Gomer said the department is coordinating with the youth little-league organization on exact scope for those minor repairs.

Council motion to proceed carried by unanimous voice vote. The council’s approval moves the county’s annual Program Open Space submission to the DNR and authorizes staff to pursue the proposed projects and the required local match.

The playground at Home Run Baker Park is named for Frank “Home Run” Baker, a native of the area who played major league baseball from 1908 to 1922 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, a county speaker noted during the meeting.