Maryland Park Service Leadership Meeting Notes from April 8, 2026

 Maryland Park Service Leadership Meeting Notes

From April 8, 2026

Patapsco Valley State Park
Hollofield Headquarters - Conference Room
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043

Attendees:  Angela Crenshaw, Rachel Temby, Jonas Williams, Kenneth Miller, Rebecca Jones, Andrew Hangen, Mark Spurrier, Mary Ironside, Dana Paterra, and Sarah Milbourne

Director Angela Crenshaw opened the meeting at 9:00 am.

 

Director Update with Angela Crenshaw

●       Meetings

○       Spring Managers Meeting - The agenda was reviewed and finalized.

○       Fall Managers Meeting - The length and agenda topics were discussed.

○       September Maryland Park Service (MPS) Leadership - Meeting was discussed.

○       MPS Town Halls - How they went in 2025 and plans for 2026 were discussed.

○      Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Town Halls - Three are scheduled for May: Sandy Point, Rocky Gap, and virtual. Please participate in the one in your region and the one that fits your schedule.

●       Park event dates

○       Catoctin Furnace - Done

○       Freedmans - Was April 21st, moved to May 15th.

○       Wetipquin - Working on a July date with Dana and Team.

○       Savage Highlands - An August date is still being finalized.

○       Wills Mountain - September 26, 2026.

○       Holly Beach Farm - Working on October dates.

●       State Parks Week is April 20-24 and the agenda was discussed.

●       Human Resources reminders:

○       Human Resources is not an emergency services provider, if a member of the team is in immediate danger call 911 or 988.

○       Please ensure that time cards are accurate.

○       Seasonal employees must do their own time cards.

●       The Housing Review Committee (HRC) will not make the selection wheel spin public - At the time of the original managers' meeting, we believed that a 'public wheel spin' or selection process would be authorized so we proceeded pending review by the assistant attorney general assigned to the HRC.  However, the Office of the Attorney General has now advised that publicly sharing the application information would violate COMAR as the applications contain personally protected information.  However, the HRC continues to oversee and review all aspects of the housing process and unbiased witnesses to the wheel spin remain a critical part of that process.

●       Secretary Josh Kurtz will be on paternity leave starting March 30th.

●       Capital Budget Updates:

 

	PSCM	PSCIA	Total
Original Funds	$70,000,000.00	$80,000,000.00	$150,000,000.00
Cum. Expenditures	-$13,941,007.99	-$13,689,570.26	-$27,630,578.25
Cum. Encumbrances	-$8,837,132.21	-$12,148,964.62	-$20,986,096.83
Remaining Funds	$47,221,859.80	$54,161,465.12	$101,383,324.92

 

 

○       The Great Maryland Outdoors Act (GMOA) Spending Update - as of April 6th, money is flowing again as the construction season begins. We are on track to triple GMOA expenditures.

○       Janes Island Cabin Renovations were discussed.

○       Prioritization of historical properties will be added to the rubric to help prioritize how Capital dollars are used.

○       Project Justifications over $250,000 will need to have the future use of the structure, facility, and infrastructure justified and discussed.

●       Hiring discussion - The boots on the ground position Hiring Freeze Exemptions (HFEs) went through. Additional HFEs are on the way in an effort to fill our vacancies.

 

Deputy Director Update with Rachel Temby

●       Operational Challenges were discussed including: increase in visitation and significant incidents, clarification on communication of Natural Resources Police (NRP) Command Notifications, critical shortfalls in seasonal hiring in certain locations/positions, adjustments to waterfront management plans, inventory management, and reservation arrival reports.

●     Ongoing coordination with NRP has recently included follow up with Communications Center, sharing updated contact lists for MPS and NRP, collaboration on summer enforcement plans, and exploring security camera systems to interface with existing body worn cameras and evidence chain of custody requirements.

●       Updates were provided for the Legislative Session, including discussion of parks-specific bills that passed (State Park Terminology, Golden Age Passes, State Park Entry Fee - Exemptions)

●     Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP) updates are needed to align with recently developed department-wide plan instructions. The team is working on a template to adapt and align park plans with DNR template (with some approved modifications), and will share along with instructions for completing ahead of summer season.

●       The team is revising draft bi-weekly report templates for deployment and use in May.  Additional information to follow.

●       Property Management - draft Next Best Use toolkit was presented to DNR Leadership for evaluation and feedback and was well-received.  Pilot properties were Smith Tavern at Gunpowder Falls, Rock Run House at Susquehanna, and the Sorenson Property at Patapsco Valley. A few adjustments are in the works and next steps identified for workflow process, platform, and roll-out for field use

●     Policy Manual efforts continue. Any specific policy-related questions or clarifications requested at this time?

Program Planning with Jonas Williams

So far this year, 207 projects have been submitted for review.

 

Key Projects

●       The 2026 Goose Depredation Permit was issued last week. Please keep the reporting spreadsheet up-to-date for ease of resubmission for 2027.

Cultural/Historic Resources Team

●       Work is starting with Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) to create an agreement to allow for the Park Service to assist with or lead the review of projects in park historic sites/buildings space.

●       The partnership with Preservation Maryland continues to move restoration projects forward. They will help with the selection of a planning firm to lead the Freedman’s State Park Master Plan project by the end of April.

Interpretation

●       Miles for Maryland continues to go well across the state! Melissa Acuti received the order for the “welcome” gifts (zipper pulls, stickers, magnets) and is brainstorming “completion” gifts.

●       Acuti continues to work on this year’s “America in Miniature” photo scavenger hunt program. We anticipate opening this program during State Parks Week in late April.

Volunteers

●       Carly Brukiewa has successfully navigated the procurement process to contract a new company, Galaxy Digital, to manage the volunteer database. She will reach out to volunteer coordinators to ensure information is as up- to- date as possible to facilitate the transition.

Maintenance

●       In addition to previously funded, but deprioritized Critical Maintenance projects, please consider outstanding stabilization fund-related projects. Contact Bill Trego for assistance.

●       Wayne Suydam is continuing work on commonly used/needed Standard Operating Procedures that can be incorporated into park operations.

 

Administration with Kenneth Miller

●       The budget was briefly discussed. A final decision on whether there is additional funding available to spend in fiscal year 2026 will be determined when we meet with Finance and Administrative Services later this month.

●       Parks should review and enter all visitation numbers through March 31 before April 16th.

●       Any awards to be presented at the Spring Manager Meeting need to be submitted before April 22, 2026. 

●       As part of the State’s Government Modernization Initiative, the State is reducing the number of credit card holders as well as lowering its credit limit. To help meet the State goal, DNR is tasked with reducing its credit card holders overall by 40%. MPS has been directed to reduce its credit card holders by 25%. This will reduce our count from 242 credit card holders to 182, with a total combined credit limit of $1,000,000.  Allocations have been provided to each park, and parks are working to determine how they would like their cards and limits allocated. MPS Leadership discussed these reductions and the challenges expressed by parks.

 

Conservation Corps with Rebecca Jones

●       Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) - we are moving forward with planning for 5 host sites and about 25-30 members for next year. We are actively recruiting!

●       Historic Trades Corps (HTC) - also looking to hire one crew for the upcoming service year.

●       The MCC Headquarters team will visit Deep Creek Lake this Thursday, April 9, and Assateague next week for a surge project. Planning is underway for the upcoming Spring Project.

 

Regional Reports

North Central Region Report with Andrew Hangen

●       Heavy trucks, bucket trucks and lifts need annual inspections.  Consult Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Operational Safety and Health websites for details and clarification.  

●       Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area will host races on the Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend.

●       The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway in partnership with Harford County funded a feasibility study regarding development of a trail from Lapidum to Rock Run Grist Mill.  A follow-up site visit is scheduled for April 15th. 

 

South Central Region Report with Mark Spurrier  

●     Repairs to Dundee Creek Marina at Gunpowder Falls State Park are progressing. Water line repairs and the restoration of power following last year’s store fire are steadily progressing. Once power is restored, the park will be able to complete upgrades to allow for fuel sales to boaters. A temporary trailer will act as the store until the new building is erected. 

●     Gunpowder Falls staff communicated with the Historic Weapons committee about special events organized by Friends groups across the complex. Thank you to the committee for their support and expertise. 

●     Planning for the dedication event at Freedman’s State Park is ongoing, preparation will continue now that a date has been set.

●     Seneca Creek State Park’s property tax issues were discussed. The park has received several notices with delinquent and incorrect charges. The team will work with Miller to resolve them.

 

Southern Region Report with Mary Ironside

●       A request was made to allow parks to order uniforms directly rather than going through the fiscal officers.

●       Several parks identified utility expenses that could potentially be transitioned to a user-pay model.

●     Properties were identified which may be suited for transfer/disposal.

 

Eastern Region Report with Dana Paterra

●       Please ensure that when an employee accepts an opportunity at a different park their radio stays with them.  Radios for employees hired in GMOA positions will be paid for by Headquarters. 

●       Please order any campground grills and picnic tables for your park or complex through Maryland Correctional Enterprises.  Other parks may have surplus picnic tables and parts available. Please let your regional manager know how committed your parks and complexes are to providing trash free bags and if there is an alternative or possibility of phasing out their use. 

●       As a reminder, a uniform and/or footwear allowance, not to exceed $250 per person in a 12-month period, may be given to classified employees depending on job assignment, function, and availability of park budget, subject to park or program manager approval and not to be unreasonably withheld. Footwear allowances may be used to purchase, repair and maintain footwear.

 

Western Region Report with Sarah Milbourne

●       Staff at Sideling Hill Creek State Park will be meeting with Wildlife & Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer and representatives from the Maryland Natural Resources Police to discuss the Baker Building.

●       Fort Frederick State Park’s 18th Century Market Fair will be held Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, April 26. Volunteers are most welcome and can sign up by contacting Ranger Bob Study.

●       One of the proposed backcountry campsites slated for Savage Highlands will be moved or eliminated in light of recent news regarding a goshawk nest located nearby. 

●       In response to recent discussions and growing interest in hands-on collaboration, the Western Region is launching a new initiative, Regional Work Wednesdays, proposed by Deep Creek Lake State Park Ranger Andy Ogle. Held on the first Wednesday of each month from October 2026 through April 2027, these workdays will bring staff together across parks to support one-day projects while building connections and sharing the workload.

●       On April 11, a volunteer day, a dedication and mountain bike ride will be held at Rocky Gap State Park.

●       Ranger Musselwhite met with several Whitewater Rafting Companies that operate on the Youghiogheny to discuss the lottery and upcoming season. He discussed the need to revisit the regulation and determine its effectiveness. The Office of Outdoor Recreation will be engaged to support this effort. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 pm.