Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore County Council passed a bill on Monday that will allow for the construction of three playgrounds at Woodlawn Memorial and Western Hills parks.
The $2.3 million project is partially funded by a $110,307 supplemental appropriation of private funds from the estate of Clara Louise Linthicum, the council said. Barry F. Williams, director of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation & Parks, proposed the project.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of kids that benefit from this,” said Councilman Tom Quirk, who acknowledged the community work of Clara Linthicum in the Western Baltimore County area. “There’s a personal appreciation and gratitude.”
Councilman Julian E. Jones, Jr of the 4th District agreed with Quirk.
“I think it’s just fantastic that someone in their last act would do something very kind and generous for the community and bring a smile to all those kids that will be playing on the playgrounds,” Jones said.
The playground in Western Hills Park in Catonsville will have a budget of $38,673, while the Woodlawn Memorial Park playground, located in Woodlawn, will cost $37,884, officials said. The Woodlawn Community Center’s budget is $33,750.
Construction of the playgrounds is expected to begin this spring, according to the Property Management Division of the Office of Budget and Finance.
In other action, the County Council approved a $226,030 request for state and federal funds for apprenticeship jobs and welding training. The Maryland Highway or Capital Transit Construction Skills Training HCCT Program had sought the funding for 24 individuals who would take part in the program at the Community College of Baltimore County.
Officials said the program, which begins March 15, will help boost the work force in Baltimore County by reaching out solely to low-income and low-literacy residents. The Department of Economic and Workforce Development predicted that at least 80 percent of the participants completing the training program will be placed in unsubsidized jobs at or above the minimum hourly living wage of $13.59.
“This is money well spent,” said Jones. “Many people talk about the unemployment rate, and it saddens me that there’s help wanted signs and we know there’s plenty of unemployed people who just don’t have the skills set to take advantage of those vacancies.”
Councilman Todd K. Crandell said that it is important to remember trades in today’s society.
”It’s important that in this high tech world that we make sure that the trades are not forgotten,” Crandell said. “You can’t outsource these things to China. It seems like a very well thought out program and I’m glad that we are taking part.”