September 2016 Senior Staff Notes

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

September 14, 2016

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Mike Riley, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Dave Powell, Debbie Cooper, Dan Hudson, Alison Woodfield

[next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Western Region]

Senior Staff officially welcomed our two new Regional Managers!!

Today is the official first day for both Christy and Steve.

Thank you to Dave and Al for their outstanding work as Acting Regional Managers.

REGIONAL REPORTS

• SOUTHEAST

1.     Visited Harriet Tubman UGRR State Park this week. Grass not being cut by contractor…was cut by staff. Grounds are still under construction and look rough. MPS staff will do what they can, including posting signs that indicate that the area is still under construction.

2.     Property for sale on the bay near Assateague…will explore possible purchase.

3.     Rosaryville Mansion Atrium – pouring of concrete will stabilize.

4.     Staff at Janes Island has heard rumors of a delay in bathhouse renovations at both Pocomoke River and Janes Island.

5.     Cypress Branch – received one proposal in response to RFP for use of house / other buildings / property. Senior staff will continue to discuss proposal.

6.     Love Point: looking for update on proposal from the NRP.

7.     Sassafras: Need follow-up on agreement with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.

• CENTRAL

1.     Patapsco scheduling another regional workday, clearing Grist Mill Trail of trees and debris from July 30 flooding event in Ellicott City.

2.     SHA has been visiting Central Region Parks, focusing on stormwater management projects.

3.     Applicable Customer Satisfaction Survey comments (e.g. quiet hours / alcohol violations / campground disturbances) should be shared by park manager with their NRP counterpart at the local level.

4.     Grilling / picnicking by the river at Patapsco (see Policy section).

• WEST

1.     Employee Field Day – Fort Frederick – September 28: RSVPs due today. FF will send another reminder. Preparations are coming along nicely. Kudos to Angie Hummer and staff for doing such a great job planning!

2.     Pest-free workplace (bed bug) policy - Staff concerned about reporting time frame / notifying customers. General feeling is that the current MPS practices are in compliance and perhaps ahead of the DBM policy. May be good topic for MPS Campground Work Group. Policy to be developed this winter.

3.     Possible team work project for Fall Managers Meeting – Aquatic invasive species collection stations.

PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS (Owens)

• Direct Energy Solar – Partnership with statewide Friends group.  Plans to complete solar panel project at Soldier’s Delight and will promote products at events attended by the Friends (only)

Trail Wayfinding Guidelines (Hudson)

• Project started two years ago. Hudson identified need for guidelines for field staff in relaying wayfinding information to the public.
• A Customer Satisfaction Survey result has indicated, for five years, low satisfaction with trail signage and trail markings.
• Wayfinding: system of trailhead kiosks, on-trail blazing, and intersection information to facilitate successful navigation by visitors, staff and first-responders.
• Main goal is to improve trail user experience.
• Consistency in signage for our visitors across the State.
• Trailheads: primary, secondary, tertiary. Guidelines include structures, content, presentation
• Sample signs are available on P drive.
• On-Trail Blazing: naming, color.
• Marking Strategies: Paint blazing, manufactured blazes, composite posts, wood posts
• Parks should create a Wayfinding plan / trail system audit. Create a budget and be sure to check for sign pollution.
• NRT grants can cover the cost of re-blazing / marking trails.
• Dan will be launching the final Guidelines soon, looking for comments.

Kudos to Dan Hudson for his work on this effort to develop Guidelines so desperately needed to improve service and enhance the experience for our visitors!!

ADMINISTRATION (Mock)

• Customer service promise – posters were distributed – to be displayed in public areas.
• DNR Social media policy – Policy is now in place. Mock has shared with MPS Social Media team. MPS should continue doing what we are doing…customer service inquiries, park happenings and events. Social media team members are assigned weekly.
• Employee Viewpoint Survey: Looking to launch 2016 survey in the fall.
• Fall 2017 Ranger School: Need to identify Dean Staff. Regional managers will be providing candidates for consideration by senior staff.
• National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) State Park Leadership School: One week in January. Recommendations due to Amanda by end of next week.
• Appropriations Committee: At Rocky Gap today (September 14). Site visit hosted by DNR Office of the Secretary and MPS staff.
• FY2017 Budget: Meetings coming up with Regional Managers and senior staff / HQ administration staff to plan for funding needs.
• Vehicle Replacement Priorities: List was passed out to group for review.
• Day-Use Survey: Almost complete. Day-use working group, under the direction of Steve McCoy, will continue with plans for distribution.
• FY2018 Budget: Potential increase, due in part to statute that requires that 100% of State Park revenue be provided to State Parks, and in part to projected increases in POS transfer tax revenue.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE (Bushman)

• Policy Issues: Resource protection concerns related to heavy picnicking / grilling activity in undeveloped areas, primarily along rivers (e.g. Patapsco and Gunpowder). Discussion about restrictions on use of grills in non-designated areas, in an effort to limit trash, compaction, and sanitation issues. Must consider providing more alternative designated facilities. To be considered by the Day-Use Working Group and/or a good agenda item for the Fall Managers Meeting.
• Park Advisory Commission Meeting: Monday, September 19, 1100 – 1300 at Seneca Creek State Park. Regional Managers invited to meet new commissioners.
• Full-to-Capacity Park Closures: Managers to ensure that notes are made in Attendance Reporting spreadsheet to document conditions relevant to number of closures (e.g. Avalon area closure after flooding event, Point Lookout and Assateague closures for Tropical Storm Hermine), so that proper year-to-year comparisons can be made.
• Self Defense Training for MPS staff: Close Quarters Defense (CQD). NRP has made us aware of this excellent training program, appropriate for civilian personnel, and is strongly recommending it. Robin Melton and self-defense instructors will be visiting the training facility to investigate.

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE (Settina)

• Reviewed Senior Staff notes from August
• New Version of Park Quest: Park Quest has run its course. Settina is looking for ideas to reinvigorate or replace the program.
• Strategic Management Plans: Need to identify park-specific goals rather than re-state the MPS mission and goals. Perhaps a “significance statement.”
• MPS Mission and Goals: Senior Staff to discuss revising mission and goals. Thoughts?
• Maryland Charity Campaign: Secretary Belton is co-chairing for entire Maryland State Government. He is highlighting veterans programs and wants units to participate in the 22 for 22 push-up challenge. May organize 22 push-ups at the Fall Managers Meeting and donate auction funds to the Warrior Canine Connection (located at Seneca Creek State Park).
• NASPD Conference: Nita attended conference in French Lick, Indiana. Main themes were workforce and visitor diversity in State Parks, and ensuring that interpretation is inclusive to include all heritages and cultures. Millennials are into camping; most excited about camping compared to other user groups.
• First-Time Campers: A lot of states are developing first-time camper programs. Maybe linked to refreshed Park Quest program?
• Association of Southeastern State Park Directors Conference: Senior staff will consider candidates to attend conference to be held in St. Augustine, Florida.