County Executive Allan H. Kittleman announced last week that he has committed $3.25 million in the coming capital budget to start phase three this fall of Blandair Park, the 298-acre multipurpose facility along Route 175 in Columbia project this fall.

Overall, the county has allocated $29 million toward the park's development, said Anna Hunter, a spokeswoman for the county's Department of Recreation and Parks.

In 2012, the first phase brought three multipurpose playing fields, a playground, a restroom and a pavilion to the park.

The second phase — to be completed by spring 2017 — will include two synthetic turf ballfields, five tennis courts, and another playground and restroom, Kittleman said. About 35 percent of the project has been completed, Hunter said.

The third phase will include a backyard games area, a maintenance facility, a dog park, picnic shelter and restrooms.

Kittleman said, a new “play for all” playground will be designed for children with varying physical abilities.

The park will be connected to the county's bikes and pedestrian pathways, and include a bus stop, Kittleman said. Oakland Mills Road, which cuts through Blandair Park, will open in spring 2017 after being closed for construction.

The property, essentially made up of three parcels, is surrounded by residential development.

The North Area contains 200 acres of meadows, forests, wetlands and a farm complex.

The South Area contains roughly 100 acres of former farm fields.

Woodlot, a parcel of 11 acres, is largely forested.

The parkland was part of a tract granted to the Talbot family in the Colonial era. It became a horse farm when the Smith family bought it in 1937.

Recreation officials also discussed other projects in the development pipeline, including a ballfield and picnic pavilion at Troy Park and a skating area at South Branch Park, on the border of Carroll and Howard counties, by this fall.