Maryland Park Service Leadership Meeting Notes
From March 11, 2026
Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Center
1304 Philips Gunning Club Road
Crocheron, MD 21627
Attendees: Angela Crenshaw, Kenneth Miller, Rebecca Jones, Andrew Hangen, Mark Spurrier, Mary Ironside, Dana Paterra, and Sarah Milbourne.
The Leadership Team arrived at 8:30 am and we received an overview of the Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Center including who they serve, what they teach and when, why the location in Crocheron was chosen, and information about the facility’s namesake from Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff who work there.
Director Update with Angela Crenshaw
DNR Leadership updates
Maryland Park Service (MPS) participation in the next Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was discussed. MPS staff interested in participating with the Department of Natural Resources should speak with their supervisor and let their Regional Manager/Division Director know of their interest. The show welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors over 10 days.
MPS Policy Manual updates and revisions were discussed. The Department has identified crossover opportunities and will identify a point person for each land unit to serve as a reviewer to see what implicates them or if they have their own. Create efficiencies and look for synergies. Other units have no manual.
Day Use Reservations for certain MPS parks were discussed.
Reminder: If staff engage a member of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) please copy Assistant Secretary of Lands Paul Peditto and Crenshaw for their awareness.
Communication reminders: 1) Gchat or chit chat (formerly Google Hangouts) should not be used for making substantive decisions and/or making disparaging comments about colleagues or the public. Advice from the OAG is forthcoming. 2) All communications with journalists, reporters, and news outlets need to be routed through the Office of Communications.
In honor of MD 250, minor league baseball game tickets will be offered.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host three Town Halls in May at Sandy Point, Rocky Gap, and virtually. Staff are encouraged to participate in the event that works best for their operation or schedule.
Updates from Secretary Kurtz
Lauren Buckmaster and Ryan Collins are doing a great job during the Legislative Session and we had the last budget hearing on March 9th, we were the last one in the House.
The Department had a great audit response. The Office of Legislative Audits said, “the Department has taken action to address all these audit findings.” This gave the Secretary a chance to talk about the great work DNR is doing; this was a welcome response.
DNR put forth many earmark requests, great job!
The Environmental Justice (EJ) Survey is going out today. Sumi Selvaraj, the Department's EJ Officer, has developed internal and external networks and this will allow people to discuss how the Department is viewed.
Thank you to all who have provided information to the OAG about impacts that Federal decisions are having on Natural Resources. The fantastic work on this has led to excellent feedback about the Department.
The Secretary had a meeting with the Governor's Chief of Staff who shared kudos for the Department, great job everyone!
Capital Budget updates
DNR's electricity costs were discussed. Parks is a big component of that and Director Luedtke is working on some exciting next steps to explore lowering these costs. Next up for review are sewer and water costs.
Connectivity discussions will begin after the Legislative session.
Upcoming park event updates
The Catoctin Furnace African American Cemetery event on February 28th was a huge success.
Crenshaw is working to confirm the Governor's availability for the five remaining events.
Weekly report discussions are ongoing regarding frequency, format, and content.
Parks hosting large scale events were also discussed.
Sexual harassment training was discussed.
Upcoming MPS Meetings were discussed, including:
The next MPS Leadership meeting
Town Halls
The Spring Managers Meeting
Hiring was discussed.
Deputy Director Update with Rachel Temby (unavailable to attend)
Preparations for the Upcoming Season
Adjustments to park operations are under consideration with regard to staffing challenges
Reminder to share 2026 Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) for planning. Working on gathering a list of employee skills from ERPs and equipment list.
Waterfront Updates: Parks needing beach-related management plan changes (e.g., due to lifeguard issues, long-term closures) should update their plans and notify the relevant party.
After Action Reviews (AARs) - Reminder that if an incident requires an AAR, please communicate that need to Training Manager Alyssa Myers, who can directly assist with facilitation and documentation. She will track the performance of formal AARs in the annual incident tracking spreadsheet she maintains for MPS.
Reminder that the monthly Training Division newsletter includes a drill or seminar scenario to focus on each month. Please work to incorporate these topics into your routine staff meetings and in-park exercises.
This Month - Are you ready for an Emergency?
Conversation topics for in the workplace: It has been raining steadily for 3 straight days, and the streams/rivers are rising
Do you know how to track road closures?
What are your sensitive areas/facilities?
Besides flooding what other issues can a large inundation of water cause? How are your roofs and gutters? Trees down?
Do you need to evacuate areas? How would you do that
Can your vehicles get to where you need to go?
Training Division is working on several New/Upcoming Classes and Emergency Preparedness Training Opportunities:
EMR/ISAR classes have been largely successful, providing practice with Cal-topo and radios.
Upcoming radio trainings are scheduled.
Fall Tabletops planning has begun with Natural Resources Police (NRP) Sgt. Scott Davis and forestry; dates pending.
Maintenance School was cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, and class topics will instead be held as stand-alone sessions spread throughout the year.
Coaching class and fall supervisor/leadership classes posted or coming soon.
Looking into opportunities to secure training through Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council to support staff interactions with visitors with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Working with IWIF on a free new resource for staff: submitting 10-20 second videos of job duties (mowing, lifting, etc.) for ergonomic analysis, recommendations for body mechanics, stretches, and workspace changes to prevent soft tissue injuries.
Reminder for staff to take annual Moodle classes.
Working with HR to move training and records to Workday by the end of the summer.
Five-year training plan is in progress.
The Leadership Team is reviewing weekly report changes along with several other communication tools to supplement or replace the information shared in the weekly report.
As Director Crenshaw mentioned, Policy Manual efforts continue. Any specific Policy-related questions or clarifications requested should be shared with Regional Managers.
Program Planning with Jonas Williams (unavailable to attend)
So far this year, 149 projects have been submitted for Project Review.
Key Projects
State Parks Week will likely occur the week of Earth Day (April 20-24th). Potential site visits have been discussed with Regional Managers, and as the Secretary’s availability becomes clearer, we will start scheduling our days and sites.
Cultural/Historic Resources Team
Work with Preservation Maryland continues on their many projects across the state.
Leases
Shane Johnston and Land Acquisition & Planning have begun working on processes for prospective and targeted property disposals. The first step will be to compile a list of sites that are managed or leased by local jurisdictions (counties, towns, etc.) that are unlikely to contribute to the host park’s operations or resource protection. We’ll be sharing a spreadsheet to start collecting information for these sites, which will then be vetted by the Park Service Director and DNR Secretary before moving through the process. At this time, it is unknown if this process will be successful or what the ultimate timeline will be, so please maintain leases appropriately and renew them as needed.
Interpretation
Miles for Maryland participation has increased to include 2,940 people! As we thaw into the Spring, please send Melissa Acuti “Ranger Recommendations” for underused trails that we should share with our hiking community.
Volunteers
Volunteer Trainings are being scheduled across the state. Please continue to suggest that your volunteers sign-up so they can meet our statewide coordinator, and get refreshers on some Park Service trainings.
Maintenance
Focus in recent weeks has been to assist Pocomoke River State Park staff to restore power to the park, thank you to Bill Trego and Wayne Suydam for lending four hands (and the Pocomoke staff for their hard work!).
Administration with Kenneth Miller
Kelly Broznowicz will be reviewing seasonal contracts this spring for the eastern, southern and both central regions instead of the regional fiscal officer. Mike Conaway will continue to oversee the western region until Memorial Day weekend, when Kelly will begin overseeing all regions.
The camping reservation system launched on February 24th, and the team continues to address any issues or concerns as they arise. Aspira is currently working to bring the Janes Island and Wye Island lodges onto the system while the MPS reservation team explores procuring tablets and mobile card readers for portable field use.
Conservation Corps with Rebecca Jones
We are finalizing discussions about Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) host site locations for next year, ramping up recruitment efforts, and conducting site visits.
Historic Trades Corps program design is ongoing. Current discussions include budget, host site selection for Year 1, recruitment of members and crew leader(s), and planning project and training for next year. We’ve had great conversations with partners and are working to align this program with apprenticeship programs in the state.
Regional Reports
North Central Region Report with Andrew Hangen
There have been recent media reports that the license for the 5-Star will not be renewed this year. The Fair Hill team would like to check if there is any new guidance regarding facility holds and maintenance contracts. Director Crenshaw will check with DNR leadership.
The new template for Resource Based Recreation Use Agreements (RBRUA) was discussed. It is a tool for managers to work with low impact recreation providers. Managers can still use Minimal Impact Use Agreements (MIUA) and Use Agreements if they are a better fit for a proposed use or event. As a reminder, check in with Ken if you are unsure which agreement to utilize.
Updates to the Maryland Hunting Guide are due by March 16th. Hangen will send an email to all managers soliciting updates.
South Central Region Report with Mark Spurrier
Several parks are getting requests from Friends groups to host historic firearms demonstrations for sesquicentennial events at historic sites within their complexes, but do not have any safety officers on staff. There was a discussion about how best to request support for these events from safety officers assigned at other parks.
Timecard issues for staff that worked during the January 26th and 27th weather events were discussed. It was a good reminder to all supervisors to thoroughly review time submissions for weather events to ensure proper documentation of hours and to ensure staff is compensated properly for their time.
Southern Region Report with Mary Ironside
At Smallwood State Park a couple of boats were abandoned in rental slips for a couple of years. Further discussion with the Natural Resources Police is needed to discern their role. If needed, Fishing and Boating Service (FABS) can also be of assistance.
Eastern Region Report with Dana Paterra
If anyone is willing and available to update the Pocket Guides for 2026, please let your regional manager know and we will support the update in virtual format.
The transition of the Graham Family Property to Wetipquin Creek State Park is going well. Several productive site visits have occurred over the past few weeks and support from other units and departments is greatly appreciated. Smaller events and group tours will occur in 2026 with a grand opening anticipated in 2027.
A big thanks to all of the teams that contributed to the clean up efforts at Pocomoke River State Park over the last few weeks. As of Tuesday night, power has been restored! The park expects to be open for day use by Friday and are working hard to reopen camping as soon as possible.
Western Region Report with Sarah Milbourne
Discussed a boundary issue at Cunningham Falls State Park, and who should be responsive to the adjacent landowner. Director Crenshaw will seek clarification from Assistant Secretary Peditto.
Discussed the western region’s concern about the need for Stokes Basket training. Milbourne will work with Crenshaw to hopefully find a resolution for concerned responders.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:13 pm but many members of the Leadership Team stayed behind to enjoy the spectacular view, ask specific questions, and have helpful discussions.
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