Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler and 1st District Councilman Tom Quirk announced to an enthusiastic group of area residents this morning that the County is preserving four acres of land in Lansdowne so that it will be preserved as environmentally beneficial open space rather than being developed into townhomes.

The County purchased the four acres, located in a neighborhood near the intersection of Hammonds and Hollins Ferry Roads from the Charles H. Gehringer Revocable Trust. Program Open Space acquisition funds will be applied to reimburse the full $415,000 purchase price.

“Preserving this open space helps to retain the character of the neighborhood, while also protecting the water quality of the Patapsco River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay,” Mohler said.

The seller had proposed building townhomes on the property. When the community expressed concerns, Councilman Quirk suggested that the County use POS funds to preserve it as passive open space. “It's great to see Program Open Space money being used for this property,” said Quirk. “Our office worked very closely with the County Executive's office to make this important open space project happen. We had dozens and dozens of community leaders and activists ask us to preserve this land as passive open space and I'm delighted to see this transaction completed.”

Preserving passive open space in neighborhoods adds to the quality of life for the community, reducing traffic congestion. This site has the added benefit of being near the Patapsco River, so keeping it undeveloped helps filter stormwater run-off and improves water quality in the Patapsco and the Bay.

Program Open Space acquisition funds will be applied to reimburse the full purchase price. The POS covenants will preserve this area as open space in this established area of the County.