Baltimore County officials announce plans to preserve 85 acres of former C.P. Crane site as park space

BOWLEYS QUARTERS, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Monday joined federal, state, and local elected officials and community stakeholders to celebrate plans to protect, preserve, and transform an 85-acrage parcel of the former Charles P. Crane facility grounds as waterfront park space.

The site is one of the Olszewski administration’s largest open space acquisitions to date and continues the administration’s efforts to expand park and recreation opportunities throughout Baltimore County.

“Preserving this large, waterfront property for all to enjoy – even as we continue exploring additional land acquisition opportunities throughout Baltimore County – is all a part of our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents,” said County Executive Olszewski. “I extend my thanks to our federal and state partners for their support on this meaningful acquisition, and Councilman Marks along with community members from Bowleys Quarters and beyond, for their tireless advocacy on behalf of this scenic Seneca Creek space which will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Earlier this month, the Baltimore County Council unanimously approved the acquisition which is supported by $10 million in Maryland’s Program Open Space (POS) grant funds. Established under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space provides support for local jurisdictions for park acquisition, development and enhancements.

“With this acquisition, we are helping to create a nearly unbroken green space from Carroll Island to the Hammerman area of Gunpowder Falls State Park,” said Baltimore County Councilman David Marks. “It’s a huge win for Baltimore County’s Eastside and for our environment.”

To further support this project, Baltimore County received a $1,666,279 federal earmark and $1.25 million in State capital grants to support post-acquisition park related improvements.

“Once home to a coal power plant, this site is on the way to becoming a beautiful waterfront park. We delivered over $1.6 million in federal funding to help Baltimore County turn this property into a public amenity – creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation in Bowleys Quarters while helping to preserve our environment,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Located in close proximity to multiple Baltimore County parks, approximately six miles from the Gunpowder Falls State Park, and adjacent to the Seneca Creek tributary of the Gunpowder River, the former site of the C.P. Crane power plant provides potential connectivity in supporting a regional park network with a connected water trail access.

“This project — transforming a site damaging our environment into one that enhances it — is exactly the type of investment the taxpayers expect and deserve,” said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. “This property has been an eyesore and, before that, it produced dirty fossil fuels that contributing to the climate crisis. Soon, it will be a park that will enable Baltimore County residents to enjoy historic Seneca Creek. I am proud to have helped secure federal resources for Baltimore County’s down payment on this site and want to congratulate County Executive Olszewski and the local for community on this creative and collaborative effort.”

The C.P. Crane Generating Station, a 400-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Bowleys Quarters, officially closed in 2018. The site was acquired by Charlotte-based Forsite Development in 2021 and demolished in 2022. Baltimore County previously announced it had entered into an agreement in principle with Forsite to acquire major portions of the site to preserve as future parkland in May, 2024. In preparation for the preservation of this space, Forsite has been actively performing environmental remediation in coordination with the Maryland Department of Environment.

Since 1970, Baltimore County has utilized nearly $163 million in POS funding to secure, expand and improve a wide range of public parks and recreation sites including Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center, Cromwell Valley Park, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, seven regional parks and athletic facilities and nearly 100 neighborhood and community parks.

The purchase is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Photo via Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on X