HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The Hagerstown City Council is giving preliminary approval to a new park along Antietam Creek where paddlers could launch kayaks and canoes.

The Herald Mail reports that the city has been trying to increase recreational access to the creek for more than a decade. The waterway meanders along the city’s southeastern edge through mostly private property.

The council gave initial approval last week to developing the park along with the local Kiwanis Club and local developer JBD LLC. The developer has agreed to donate nearly 5 acres for the project.

The proposed Kiwanis Park would be near the intersection of Eastern Boulevard and state Route 64.

Kiwanis Club members Fred Nugent says the park would give families access to an underutilized resource in the western Maryland city.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)