NEXT STEPS ANNOUNCED TOWARD OPENING OF STATE PARK

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced grant funding through a partnership with Frostburg State University that advances the development and opening of Wills Mountain State Park in Allegany County. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments, recently approved a grant of $521,684 to Frostburg State University for the Wills Mountain State Park Comprehensive Planning Initiative project. With ARC’s investment, Frostburg State University, through its Frostburg Outdoor Recreation Economy Institute (FOREI), will work in partnership with DNR and the Maryland Park Service to complete the planning activities that will guide the development of Wills Mountain State Park for public access. On Thursday, the department hosted a community gathering and stewardship celebration atop Wills Mountain in Cumberland to provide an update to local officials and other guests about the latest plans and funding for the park. The department also announced the purchase of an additional 195-acre forested property along the ridge and eastern slopes of Wills Mountain, which will be added to the park.