# Natural Resources (GNR)

## Title 5. Forests and Parks

### Subtitle 2A. Maryland Park Service

#### Section 5-2A-05

(a) The Department shall:

  (1) Develop and publish a Comprehensive Long-Range Strategic Plan by December 1, 2024;

  (2) Update the Comprehensive Long-Range Strategic Plan every 5 years to reflect major goals and progress toward meeting those goals; and

  (3) Submit to the General Assembly, in accordance with Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the Comprehensive Long-Range Strategic Plan and any updates to the plan.

(b) The Comprehensive Long-Range Strategic Plan shall include:

  (1) The feasibility of:

    (i) Establishing new State parks through:

      (1) Land acquisition; or

      (2) Redesignating existing State land, including Cedarville State Forest, to be a State park; and

    (ii) Developing new amenities in current State parks, including:

      (1) Trails and trail connectors;

      (2) Water access;

      (3) Parking areas; and

      (4) Other capital improvements that increase park capacity;

  (2) New State parks or other units that preserve and interpret the history of African American, Asian, Indigenous or Native American, and Hispanic or Latino populations in the State;

  (3) A multilateral, whole-system plan for outdoor recreation in the State, including:

    (i) The results of any coordination between the Department and county, municipal, and federal park systems to increase trail connectivity between park systems; and

    (ii) A partnership plan developed by the Department in consultation with:

      (1) The Office of Outdoor Recreation;

      (2) The Park Service's business manager;

      (3) County tourism entities and economic development offices;

      (4) The Maryland Municipal League;

      (5) The Maryland Association of Counties;

      (6) The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable; and

      (7) The Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities;

  (4) The feasibility of expanding the day-use reservation system beyond the Falling Branch area of Rocks State Park to all parks experiencing capacity shutdowns, including considerations on how the expansion of the day-use reservation system may impact State park visitors in terms of equity and access;

  (5) An analysis of how the Department can integrate infrastructure messaging with the National Park Service and local governments, including the development and maintenance of a coordinated website and digital application that provides information on:

    (i) Where parks and open spaces are located;

    (ii) Available amenities; and

    (iii) Real-time information on the operational status of a park, including capacity;

  (6) Long-term measures to:

    (i) Recruit and retain a diverse Park Service workforce, in accordance with the National Park Service's diversity strategy under Director's Order #16B; and

    (ii) Provide ongoing updates on efforts to recruit and retain a diverse Park Service workforce;

  (7) Details and updates on the creation and implementation of workforce development programs, including:

    (i) Programs in collaboration with the State's historically Black colleges and universities;

    (ii) Programs modeled on the National Park Service's diversity strategy under Director's Order #16B; and

    (iii) Programs focused on creating a pipeline of new rangers and other full-time staff from among volunteers, the State foster youth system, and historically underserved communities; and

  (8) The results of:

    (i) Implementing a volunteer management program under Sec. 5-2A-02(e) of this subtitle;

    (ii) Leveraging charitable funding for park enhancements under Sec. 5-2A-02(f) of this subtitle; and

    (iii) Any collaboration between the Department and the Department of Transportation and local transportation agencies to improve bicycle, sidewalk, and trail access to State parks.

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Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)