July 13, 2020
MEDIA RELEASE
Patapsco Valley Heritage Area Expansion Makes Way for Additional Heritage Tourism Destinations and Opens Funding Opportunities for New Partners
CONTACT: Lindsey Baker / director@patapsco.org /410.696.1328
Executive Director, Patapsco Heritage Greenway
ELLICOTT CITY, MD— Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) is proud to announce that the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA) is officially expanding by approximately 12 square miles and will now include portions along the Patapsco River from the Carroll County line to the Baltimore City line. The expansion also encompasses key sites on both the Baltimore and Howard County sides of the river including the Diggs-Johnson Museum, Howard County Conservancy’s Mount Pleasant, a portion of the Korean Way, Granite Historic District, and Guinness Open Gate Brewery.
“We are eager to expand our future activities and funding opportunities into these new areas. With the addition of these spaces to PVHA, greater opportunities for recreation, more inclusive stories of the area’s history, and critical environmental programming are now possible,” said PHG President Steve Wachs.
Organizations located within the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area have access to support in the form of sponsorships, mini-grants (up to $5,000), non-capital grants (up to $50,000) and capital grants (up to $100,000) via PHG from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. As part of the heritage area they also gain increased exposure through PHG’s heritage tourism promotional outreach efforts. Since its formation, over one million dollars of State matching funds have been distributed to partners within the PVHA for heritage tourism projects.
“The Howard County Conservancy is excited about the expansion of the heritage area to include our home base in Woodstock. We have worked with Patapsco Heritage Greenway at our location in Elkridge for several years. Our partnership has enhanced our ability to offer programs to the community and serve our shared missions. We look forward to growing this partnership in the years to come.” says Meg Boyd, Executive Director of Howard County Conservancy
PHG’s mission is to preserve, protect, interpret, and restore the environment, history, and culture of the Patapsco River Valley. PHG administers the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area, one of 13 certified Heritage Areas in Maryland. The organization develops and supports historic, environmental, recreational and cultural programs in cooperation with both Baltimore and Howard Counties, the Patapsco Valley State Park, and numerous partner organizations to enhance area residents’ appreciation of the Valley’s assets, as well as to promote heritage tourism.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
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- For more information about The Patapsco Heritage Greenway visit www.patapsco.org
- To see the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area Map with boundary additions, visit here.
- To see the public presentation for the boundary amendment, visit here.
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