Annapolis, MD – On Thursday, March 31, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation entitled the Great Maryland Outdoors Act, which will provide increased funding for Maryland’s State Park System related to infrastructure, maintenance and operations at parks, provide additional funding for land acquisition for new parks and enhanced park access and which will make other improvements to address current and long term needs for Maryland state parks.

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Chesapeake Conservancy’s President and CEO Joel Dunn applauded the legislation, stating:

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“Thank you to Maryland’s General Assembly for passing the Maryland Great Outdoors Act. This bill will secure a major and historic investment to benefit the Maryland State Park System, and it could not be timelier.

“Public demand for parks and outdoor recreation has boomed in Maryland and across the country in recent years, and as a result, visitation at Maryland’s state parks has skyrocketed.

“Maryland’s state parks protect many of the state’s most beautiful and iconic places. They provide numerous opportunities for hiking, bicycling, paddling and other outdoor recreation activities, and they connect visitors with nature and Maryland’s rich history.

“This legislation will address many urgent needs to support and enhance Maryland state parks, including funding for staff, operations and maintenance, funding to improve park access so that more Marylanders can access and enjoy parks and even funding to create new state parks.

“I applaud Senator Sarah Elfreth and Majority Leader Eric Luedtke for their leadership and for the many members who worked tirelessly to advance this important bill which will help ensure that Maryland’s state parks can continue to serve Marylanders and other visitors today and well into the future.”

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Feature Photo by Michael Weiss