The Department having acquired the land, rights-of-way, and easements for the purpose of protecting and maintaining a walking trail across the State, now generally known as the Appalachian Trail, may provide shelters and other facilities on it. Any unit of the State, or any political subdivision, may transfer to the Department land or rights in land for these purposes, on terms and conditions agreed upon, or enter into an agreement with the Department providing for establishment and protection of the trail. The Department may enter into cooperative agreements with agencies of the federal government or private organizations to provide for the maintenance of the trail. The trail shall be held, developed, and administered primarily as a footpath and its natural scenic beauty preserved as far as feasible. However, the Department may permit other uses of the trail and associated land acquired by the State, by the owner of adjoining land, or others, in a manner and at seasons as will not substantially interfere with primary use of the trail. This section does not limit the right of the public to pass over any existing public road which is a part of the trail, nor prevent the Department from performing work necessary for forest fire prevention and control, pest and disease control, and removal of damage caused by natural disaster. The Department may grant temporary or permanent rights-of-way across lands acquired under this section under terms and conditions deemed advisable. No person who has granted a right-of-way for the trail across his land, or his successor in title, is liable to any user of the trail for injuries suffered on that portion of the trail unless the injuries were caused by the willful or wanton misconduct of the person, or his successor in title, who has been granted a right-of-way.

Gathland State Park, in Frederick and Washington counties, shall be developed by the State for purposes of public education and recreation, as funds are available.

The lands between the mud flats at Brooklyn and the Liberty Reservoir on either side of the Patapsco River, in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Howard, and Baltimore counties, within a distance of 1 mile on either side from the medial line of the river, or either of its branches, having been purchased by the State, shall be held by the State as a State park under the protection and administration of the Department which shall exercise the same power of making rules and regulations and managing the land as any other State park. The territory acquired is subject to all the general laws passed by the legislature not inconsistent with this section.

The lands between Viers Mill Road and Georgia Avenue described in the 1980 Highway Needs Inventory as the right-of-way reserved for the Rockville facility in Montgomery County, being owned by the State, shall be: Designated as the Matthew Henson State Park; and Held by the State as a State park under the protection and administration of the Department. Matthew Henson State Park shall also include: The land identified in the Aspen Hill Master Plan as Significant Parcel 13, with the exception of any land that was the subject of a lease between any person and an agency of the State government on or before June 5, 2002; and The State-owned land bordering on the northeast portion of Significant Parcel 13 in the Aspen Hill Master Plan. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Department shall exercise the same power of adopting regulations and managing Matthew Henson State Park as is done for any other State park. Any land acquired under subsection (a) of this section is subject to all of the public general laws enacted by the General Assembly that are not inconsistent with this section. However, the provisions of this section prevail over any other State law enacted before July 1, 1989. If specifically authorized by an act of the General Assembly, a part of the Matthew Henson State Park may be used for transportation purposes. Subject to the availability of local, State, or federal funds, including any necessary matching funds, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection: A hiker/biker or other recreational trail may be constructed within Matthew Henson State Park; and A public pavilion, named in honor of Senator Idamae Garrott, may be constructed within Matthew Henson State Park. Prior to the construction of a hiker/biker or other recreational trail or pavilion in Matthew Henson State Park, the Department of Natural Resources or other appropriate governmental agency shall: Review all studies concerning the environmental impact and trail alignment options prepared for the Montgomery County Planning Board; Determine that construction, including the location and method of construction, is consistent with the environmentally sensitive nature of the Park and is in the public interest; and Obtain the approval of the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Montgomery County Council, and the County Executive.

The 1,310 acres of land in Baltimore County delineated on maps filed in the office of the Secretary as Black Marsh, being owned by the State shall be: Designated as the North Point State Park; and Held by the State as a State park under the protection and administration of the Department. Any use that may occur in the North Point State Park shall be subject to all applicable laws, including the applicable sections of the Critical Areas Law under Title 8, Subtitle 18 of this article. If the Department uses pest management controls in the North Point State Park, it shall give priority consideration to the use of natural controls as an alternative to other pest management controls.

The tract of land in Washington County on which is situated Old Fort Frederick, together with other additional land adjacent thereto which has been acquired by the State is under the control of the Department, and shall be used in the execution of those plans adopted by it for reforestation of the State.

The Department may accept the use of land to be used for auxiliary State forest reserves and enter into agreements with the owners as necessary. The land is subject to all laws, rules, and regulations governing State forest reserves. However, no money appropriated to the Department may be used or expended on auxiliary State forests for permanent improvements or for any purpose other than supervision, opening of trails, the building of temporary structures to make the land available for campers and visitors, and protection of the land from fire and trespass.

Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, youth groups registered with the Secretary shall be admitted to any Maryland State park free of any admission or overnight camping charge. This exemption shall apply only when the group is participating in official activities under adult supervision. For the purpose of this section, “youth group” includes, but is not limited to, boy scouts, girl scouts, 4-H members, and other affiliated groups. The Secretary may restrict admittance under this section when a given park is being used to capacity by the public.

A person 62 years old or older who possesses a Maryland Golden Age Pass issued by the Maryland Park Service: Is entitled to free day–use entry to any State park that charges service fees; May camp overnight in any State park at one–half of the established fee Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays; and May launch a boat at any State park without paying a boat launch fee. If a per–vehicle fee is in effect at a State park, the free day–use entry under subsection (a)(1) of this section applies to everyone in the vehicle with the holder of a Maryland Golden Age Pass.

The General Assembly finds that: In order to provide the public with access to the use, enjoyment, and appreciation of the outdoor areas of Maryland, it is declared to be the public policy of this State to provide the means and procedures for establishing and expanding a network of recreational and scenic trails; Abandoned railroad corridor property is a unique source of land corridors that are, in many cases, suitable for recreational trails; Railroad corridor property is being abandoned at a high rate and is often sold in segments, thereby fragmenting the original corridors and leaving unconnected segments which may be suitable for acquisition for recreational trail use; The preservation of abandoned rail corridor property for use as recreational trails is in the public interest; and A systematic and continuing statewide program of acquiring abandoned railroad corridor property is needed to preserve this unique and irreplaceable source of recreational trails. The Department shall maintain liaison with, provide factual data to, and work with the Department of Transportation, the State Railroad Administration, the Department of Planning, other agencies, and local governments to determine the suitability for trail purposes of railroad corridor property proposed for abandonment. The Department may conduct feasibility studies and appraisals of railroad corridor property proposed for abandonment. The Department may acquire railroad corridors pursuant to the National Trails Systems Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1241 et seq., as amended. If, under the provisions of § 7-901 of the Transportation Article, the Department of Transportation acquires railroad corridor property considered suitable for use as recreational trails, the Department may request interim use of the property for public recreational use. The Department may lease a corridor from the Department of Transportation and sublease it to a local government subject to all the terms and conditions of the original lease. Any lease of railroad corridor property by the Department for interim use for public recreation shall be subject to restoration or reconstruction for railroad purposes, and the interim use may not be considered as an abandonment of the use of the railroad corridor for railroad purposes. Prior to undertaking the development of a railroad corridor property for recreational use the Department shall conduct a public hearing in the affected county. The hearing shall be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected county for 3 consecutive weeks.

In this section, “Fund” means the Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund. There is an Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to maintain and construct trails for off–highway recreational vehicles. The Secretary shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: Revenue distributed to the Fund under § 13–814(b) of the Transportation Article; Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund; and Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. The Fund may be used only to: Maintain trails for off–highway recreational vehicles on State park land that was purchased or leased by the Department before January 1, 2017; Maintain and construct trails for off–highway recreational vehicles on State park land that is purchased or leased by the Department on or after January 1, 2017; and Maintain and construct trails for off–highway recreational vehicles on any land that is not State park land that is purchased or leased by the Department. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget. Money expended from the Fund for maintaining and constructing trails for off–highway recreational vehicles is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for maintaining and constructing trails for off–highway recreational vehicles.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Board” means the Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board. “Fund” means the Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Trail Fund established under § 5–1011 of this subtitle. There is an Off–Highway Recreational Vehicle Recreation Oversight Board. The Board consists of the following members, appointed by the Governor: One representative of the Maryland Off–Highway Vehicle Alliance; One representative of the Maryland Motorcycle Dealers Association; One representative of the American Motorcyclist Association District 7; One individual representing all–terrain vehicle, utility terrain vehicle, or side–by–side vehicle drivers; and One individual representing on– and off–road motor vehicle drivers. Each member shall be a resident of the State. From among its members, the Board shall elect a chair each year. The term of a member is 4 years. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 2026. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. If a vacancy occurs among the members, the Governor shall promptly appoint a successor who shall serve until the term expires. The Department shall provide staff for the Board. Additional support for the Board shall be provided by: The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; The Maryland Park Service; The Forest Service; The Wildlife and Heritage Service; and One representative of each county in which an off–highway recreational vehicle trail maintained by the Department is located, designated by the Department. The Board shall meet at least quarterly. The Board shall advise the Secretary on the operation, acquisition, regulation, and general oversight of off–highway recreational vehicle trails and recreation in the State.

In this section, “partnership park” means a unit of the State park system managed by the Department in partnership with a local government, a bicounty agency, or a nonprofit organization. The Department may enter into: A memorandum of understanding with a local government, bicounty agency, or nonprofit organization to establish a partnership park in the State; or A partnership agreement with a local government, bicounty agency, or nonprofit organization to manage a partnership park in the State. The Department shall establish the Freedman’s State Park as a partnership park that seeks to educate the public about and preserve and interpret the lives and experiences of Black Americans both before and after the abolition of slavery. Freedman’s State Park shall be held by the State as a State park under the protection and administration of the Department. Freedman’s State Park shall consist of properties in northeastern Montgomery County in or near the communities of Brookeville, Olney, Sandy Spring, Zion, and Laytonsville that are: Owned by the State and designated by the Department as part of the park; and Owned by a local government, a bicounty agency, or a nonprofit organization; and Designated as part of the park by a partnership agreement between the owner of the property and the State. The Department shall establish a stakeholder advisory committee to advise the Department on the scope and management of Freedman’s State Park. The stakeholder advisory committee shall consist of the following members: A representative of Montgomery Parks, designated by Montgomery Parks’ Director of Parks; A representative of the Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County, designated by the Alliance’s Executive Director; A representative of the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, designated by the Museum’s Director; A representative of the Sandy Spring Museum, designated by the Museum’s President; and Any other members as determined by the Department. To the extent practicable, the stakeholder advisory committee shall reflect the diversity of northeastern Montgomery County. On or before January 1, 2023, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: Property owned by the State in northeastern Montgomery County that is suitable for inclusion in Freedman’s State Park; Property owned by a local government, a bicounty agency, or a nonprofit organization in northeastern Montgomery County that is suitable for inclusion in Freedman’s State Park and for which the landowners are willing to enter into a partnership agreement; and The funding needed to establish and promote Freedman’s State Park. The Department and Baltimore City shall: Convene focus group meetings on the establishment of the Gwynns Falls State Park with community members and stakeholders that reside or operate in the vicinity of the proposed State park; Develop a list of priority needs and associated cost assessments for park operations and improvements, including: Capital improvements; Critical maintenance; Enhanced natural resource management and restoration, including implementation of a biohabitats study; Historic site restoration; Enhanced outdoor recreation amenities, including trail improvements; Adding park staff and procuring equipment and supplies; and Law enforcement and public safety; and Establish a stakeholder advisory committee to advise the Department and Baltimore City on the scope and management of Gwynns Falls State Park that consists of: At least one member of the Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park; At least six members representing local park advocacy organizations, local environmental organizations, local historic preservation organizations, neighborhood organizations from neighborhoods that border the future Gwynns Falls State Park site; and Any additional members as determined by the Department and Baltimore City. On or before December 1, 2025, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: Property owned by the State in Baltimore City that is suitable for inclusion in Gwynns Falls State Park; Property owned by Baltimore City or a nonprofit organization in Baltimore City that is suitable for inclusion in Gwynns Falls State Park and for which the landowners are willing to enter into a partnership agreement; and The funding needed to establish and promote Gwynns Falls State Park. The Department shall establish the Port Deposit State Park as a partnership park that seeks to educate the public about and preserve and interpret the lives and experiences of Black Americans both before and after the abolition of slavery. Port Deposit State Park shall be held by the State as a State park under the protection and administration of the Department. Port Deposit State Park shall consist of a portion of the Bainbridge Naval Training Center site, measuring not less than 120 acres and not more than 150 acres, that the Bainbridge Development Corporation transfers to the Department, including: The historic Tome School; The Snow Hill archaeological site; and The adjacent wooded conservation area. The Department shall establish a stakeholder advisory committee to advise the Department on the scope and management of Port Deposit State Park. The stakeholder advisory committee shall consist of the following members: One member designated by the Mayor and Town Council of Port Deposit; Two members of the House of Delegates and one member of the Senate of Maryland representing Cecil County, designated by the Cecil County Delegation of the General Assembly; The County Executive of Cecil County, or the County Executive’s designee; The President of the Cecil County Council, or the President’s designee; The President of the Cecil County branch of the NAACP, or the President’s designee; The President of the Historical Society of Cecil County, or the President’s designee; The Director of the Cecil County Department of Parks and Recreation; The Chair of the Bainbridge Development Corporation, or the Chair’s designee; The Chief Archaeologist of the Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration, or the Chief Archaeologist’s designee; and The following nonvoting ex officio members: The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee; The Secretary of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee; The Director of the Maryland Historical Trust, or the Director’s designee; The President of the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, or the President’s designee; The Superintendent of Cecil County Public Schools; The Executive Director of the Cecil County Public Library; and The President of Cecil College. To the extent practicable, the stakeholder advisory committee shall reflect the diversity of Cecil County. On or before September 1, 2024, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article on: Property that is suitable for inclusion in Port Deposit State Park; The funding needed to establish and promote Port Deposit State Park; and The appropriate manner of preserving property that is not identified for inclusion in Port Deposit State Park in perpetuity for its archaeological, historical, and cultural significance. It is the intent of the General Assembly that if the State acquires Carr’s Beach for the purpose of making the property a State park, the property shall be a partnership park established and maintained in a manner substantially similar to the requirements established under subsections (b) through (d) of this section. In this subsection, “Waldorf core zone” means a geographical area in Charles County within the following boundaries: North of Billingsley Road; South of Mattawoman Creek; East of Bensville Road; and West of Maryland Route 5. It is the intent of the General Assembly that if the State acquires property in the Waldorf core zone for the purpose of making the property a State park, the property shall be a partnership park established and maintained in a manner substantially similar to the requirements established under subsections (b) through (d) of this section. It is the intent of the General Assembly that if the State acquires Hill Road Park in Prince George’s County for the purpose of making the property a State park, the property shall be a partnership park established and maintained in a manner substantially similar to the requirements established under subsections (b) through (d) of this section.

There is a Maryland Park Explorers Grant Pilot Program in the Department. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County with equal funds to establish local Park Explorers Pilot Programs. A local Park Explorers Pilot Program shall: Target youth populations with minimal access to green space in an effort to bridge socioeconomic and resource gaps through free, accessible, and conveniently located programming; Promote the positive impacts that spending time outdoors has on long–term developmental and social well–being; Provide conservation–related messaging, including sustainable practices, to further participant understanding of the benefits of green space and its direct impact on the environment and watersheds; and Incorporate local history and cultural impacts in its messaging to highlight the diverse cultural contributions to current social events and developed histories. On or before October 1, 2023, and each October 1 thereafter, each participating county shall submit to the Department a report on the implementation of the local Park Explorer’s Pilot program, including: The number of participants; The number of participants from populations with minimal access to green space; and The results of participant surveys, including feedback on whether the participant had a positive or negative experience in the Park Explorer’s Pilot program. A county shall report the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in the aggregate and disaggregated by: Hispanic or Latino of any race; For individuals who are non–Hispanic or non–Latino only: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; White; or Two or more races; and Individuals who have limited English proficiency. On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, the Department, in collaboration with the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, shall submit a report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on the effectiveness of the Maryland Park Explorers Grant Pilot Program. The report shall include: A recommendation on whether the pilot program should: Continue; and Be expanded statewide; and Information regarding whether any other county has expressed interest in participating in the pilot program. For fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $100,000 for the Maryland Park Explorers Grant Pilot Program.

On presentation of a valid uniformed services identification card by an active service member or any member of the Maryland National Guard: An active service member or any member of the Maryland National Guard may enter a State park without paying any day–use entry fee that has been established; and A vehicle of which an active service member or any member of the Maryland National Guard is an occupant may enter a State park without paying any per–vehicle fee that has been established. This section does not exempt an active service member, any member of the Maryland National Guard, or any other individual from paying other facility use services fees not described in subsection (a) of this section.

In this section, “accepted entrance document” means a valid veteran identification card, a driver’s license or other State–issued license or identification card that indicates the holder is a veteran, or any other form of identification accepted by the Department that establishes the holder’s: Veteran status; or Former Maryland National Guard status if the holder was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. On presentation of an accepted entrance document by an individual: The individual may enter a State park without paying any day–use entry fee that has been established; and A vehicle of which the individual is an occupant may enter a State park without paying any per–vehicle fee that has been established. This section does not exempt an individual from paying any other facility use services fees not described in subsection (b) of this section.