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PRESTON – After nine months of waiting, the Town of Preston has received word that their 2027 Community Parks and Playgrounds grant application was approved by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The grant will be used to completely replace the main children’s playground at the James T Wight Memorial Park on Backlanding Road in Preston.
The original application was submitted in August of 2025, and while the grant was recently awarded, the Town must still wait for the state Department of Public Works to sign off on the project. The grant team at Maryland DNR said they received over 55 applications for the program, totally almost $15 million in asks. Preston’s grant amount is $141, 567.
“James T Wright Memorial Park Playground improvement projects are consistent with the Preston Comprehensive Plan,” Preston Town Manager Amber Korrell said, “It is important to the Town of Preston to continue investing in our beloved park for the community and to enhance their quality of life. The park is viewed as a ‘key pillar’ for community health, providing safe spaces for residents of all ages to exercise and socialize. Upgrading the park increases the overall attractiveness of Preston as a place to live and visit.”
The mock-up of the new playground includes an accessible main play area, a swingset with various types of swings, a musical sensory area, and a freestanding cirrus swing, with canopy shading over the main play area. The project will be completed by April 2027.
