On June 14, 1996 William H. Hussmann, Chariman of the Montgomery County Park Commission was joined by Roy I. Dabney, Jr., Vice-Chairman of the Prince George's County Planning Board, several elected officials and the Fairland community at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of development of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Fairland Recreational Park in Montgomery County.
Although the total acreage of the Montgomery County portion of the park is 322 acres, only 39 acres will be developed. Much of that development will occur in the areas which are open and asway from the environmentally sensitive areas of the Little Paint Branch.
During the Summer and Fall of 1996, Phase I of this development will consist of : clearing and grading of 39 acres of the site, resulting in two soccer fields, two softball fields, and one practice field; a gravel-compacted entrance road, an interior road and parking lots for 355 cars; and three stormwater ponds. In the Summer of 1997, a playground will be added to the northern end of the park; the roads and parking lotes will be paved; 5 picnic shelters will be installed; and three basketball courts will be constructed. By the end of 1998, six tennis courts, restroom facilities, and a paved, hiker/biker trail connecting the park in Montgomery County with the Prince George's Cound park, will be completed. Future funding will provide for a group picnic area, more restrooms and enhancements to the playgound.
Fairland Recreational Park is the only bi-county park owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The Prince George's County portion of the park already includes an indoor swim center, a gymnastic facility, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and a batting cage.
When commenting on the beginnin of construction on this long-aswaited park, Chairman Hussmann said.... "The new facilities are sorely needed, and we're pleased construction is now underway."
The site was previously used as farmland, with the southern portion being used as a gravel pit.
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