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Anacostia Trails Heritage Area outlines grants, trails and 2026 county events to Mount Rainier council
Summary
Anacostia Trails Heritage Area executive director Megan Baco told Mount Rainier officials the group expanded its county boundary in May 2025 and has grant opportunities for municipalities and nonprofits, including capital awards up to $100,000 and smaller seed grants; she urged local partners to apply.
Megan Baco, executive director of the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, told the Mount Rainier mayor and council on Jan. 6 that ATHA has expanded its state‑certified boundary and is focusing on countywide 'community tourism' projects, trail connectivity and cultural signage ahead of the 2026 semiquincentennial.
Baco said ATHA — also known on signage as Maryland Milestones — works with municipalities and nonprofits to secure heritage‑tourism funding and technical help. "We literally exist to help people access this funding," she said, describing grants administered through state programs including Program Open Space. Baco said Program Open Space totals about $6,000,000 annually, of which roughly $5,000,000 is typically available for project grants; capital awards can reach $100,000 and noncapital grants up to $50,000. ATHA also redistributes smaller 'mini' grants up to $5,000.
Baco reviewed ATHA projects that have included battlefield signage, a civil‑rights bilingual website developed with National Park Service support, ongoing placemaking and public‑art partnerships, and work on regional trails such as the Trolley Trail and Dueling Creek. She said ATHA provides encouragement and technical assistance to local projects and can be a conduit to other funders such as the Maryland Historical Trust and county preservation programs.
During questions, council members asked whether individual small businesses could apply for ATHA funding. Baco said the ATHA's grant streams are targeted to municipalities and nonprofits, but she described successful partnerships in which a nonprofit or municipal applicant partnered with private businesses on projects. She recommended that property owners and business owners consider county Historic Preservation Commission grants, which the ATHA noted have programs for private property owners in Prince George's County.
Baco invited local leaders to participate in ATHA planning meetings and noted a county‑level block party set for May 30 and other 2026 events tied to the semiquincentennial. She encouraged Mount Rainier officials to contact ATHA staff for grant guidance and project ideas.
The presentation ran about 20 minutes and closed with an offer from ATHA staff to help the city refine potential applications and partnerships.
