MARYLAND PARK SERVICE
SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES
May 4, 2022
Via Google Meet
Attendees: Nita Settina, Amanda Mock, Mary Owens, Christy Bright, Steve McCoy, Andrew Hangen and Patrick Bright. (Next Visiting Manager of the Month – Eastern Region).
The Superintendent commends park staff for hosting a very busy and successful State Park Week. The significant events included opening the Sandy Point State Park Plaza/Nature Center, Cypress Branch State Park, Bohemia River State Park, and Patapsco Valley State Park’s Offutt Johnson Visitor Center. It was also exciting to see the return of Market Fair at Fort Frederick State Park after a two-year hiatus.
PLANNING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS – Mary Owens
To date, 187 projects have been submitted for project review in 2022. Many of the major projects being submitted require Department of General Services involvement.
EV Charging Stations – Existing State EV contract was not renewed, which may lead to transition challenges.
Solar Panel Projects – Now starting site visit meetings with solar contractors in mid-May.
Project Butterfly & Bumblebee – Please post the new Project Butterfly & Bumblebee interpretive signs at your pollinator demonstration sites and use the project branding for pollinator-related events.
Regenerative agricultural and agriculture leases – Numerous leases are in the final review and approval process.
State Park Entrance Signs – MCE produces excellent banners that can be used as temporary park entrance signs as needed.
Avian Influenza – As a result of a resurgence of Avian Flu, all parks must close aviaries to the public and all programming with birds is now cancelled. This closure is currently limited to the next three weeks.
Belt Woods – The Alliance with the Chesapeake Bay is mobilizing to do two weeks of field work at the site. They will be conducting a complete ecological restoration of Belt Woods. This work is being funded with $600k in brownfields settlement funding allocated to DNR.
REGIONAL REPORTS
South and Conservation Programs – Patrick Bright
St Clements Island – The DNR E&C marine crew will be at the island in August to complete several to be determined projects and facilitate the Blessing of the Fleet event.
Sandy Point State Park – The final Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival will be held at South Beach later this month.
Interpreting Difficult Histories – With grant support, St. Mary’s College will be doing some work on Piscataway Conoy Tribe history in Southern Maryland at several State Parks.
Central – Steve McCoy
Bohemia River – Visitation is increasing. Discussion about implementation of additional park development work and establishing improved water access.
Elk Neck – High demand for camping at the park this Spring and working with MES on water quality (iron content) issues.
Patapsco Valley State Park – Discussion about necessary closures and responding to information requests from legislators on parking access issues.
Establishment of a New Workgroup – Regional Manager McCoy will be developing a workgroup to create strategies and recommendations for enhancing engagement with all visitors. This new internal workgroup will have a kick-off meeting in June.
West – Christy Bright
Western Maryland Rail Trail - The National Park Service owns significant property associated with the Western Maryland Rail Trail and has expressed an interest in extending the trail through portions in West Virginia and Maryland. There are ongoing discussions about the management of these new segments.
Wolf Den Run – The park held a wonderful open house event last weekend that was very well attended. The OHV trail system was able to sustain the heavy traffic.
Jennings Randolph – The park is open, the dock is in, and a new 25-year lease is in place.
Western Maryland Parks - Discussion about several ongoing construction projects, including the Cunningham Falls concessions building, that are facing unexpected delays.
East – Andrew Hangen
Sassafras – Regional Manager Hangen will schedule a meeting to discuss future plans for the Knocks Folly property.
Bill Burton Fishing Pier – Discussion about the indefinite closure of the entire pier due to a recent evaluation/inspection report.
Pocomoke – Milbourne Landing should be reopened next week.
Assateague – The new cleaning contractor is performing very well. Staff is continuing to work on construction of the pony-proof picnic table food lockers.
Managed Hunt Permit (MHP) – DNR has eliminated the $35 MHP requirement, but the requirement for a free public land hunting permit or certain state parks remains. All State Parks with Managed Hunts should reflect this change, as necessary, on their park websites.
All Regions
The April 2022 customer service survey results were reviewed.
Park Inspection Reports – The Regional Managers are working with Park Managers to complete updated Park Inspection Reports.
ADMINISTRATION – Amanda Mock
Finance – The FY 2022 park/program Google budget projection spreadsheets should be updated through April 2022 to facilitate year-end assessments. Dana St. Clair will be communicating fiscal year closeout procedures and deadlines soon. Discussion about planning for the significant fiscal 2023 funding increase.
Personnel – Discussion about the status of various recruitments, internal transfer requests, and new PINs in fiscal 2023.
2022 Legislative Session – Discussion about implementation of the Great Maryland Outdoors Act (SB 541 / Chapter 39 of 2022).
DNR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEIJ) Affinity Workgroup – Amanda Mock is serving as the MPS liaison to this DNR workgroup that has been tasked with developing a DNR DEIJ action plan by September.
SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE
The April 2022 Senior Staff Meeting Notes were reviewed.
Great work to all park staff for hiring and onboarding seasonal staff this year, it is a significant accomplishment. Also thank you in advance to all parks for accommodating any DNR employees and their families who seek free entry during May 3-8th.
Bilingual Rangers – Discussion about continuing to partner with the Chesapeake Conservancy to employ bilingual rangers to conduct interpretive programs and special events at select State Parks.
Latino Conservation Week (July 16-24) – Parks are encouraged to develop events to celebrate Latino Conservation Week.
Discussion about the Spring 2022 Managers meeting agenda and associated logistics.
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