Story Category: Live Updates »

The Maryland Park Service (MPS) has reopened all of Maryland’s State Parks after extensive clean-up and repairs in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Some parks may still be in the final stages of clean-up and there may be lingering power outages in some limited areas by the weekend, but the MPS encourages Maryland families to enjoy outdoor recreation at their State Parks over the holiday weekend.
 

“We are very proud of our dedicated park staff and delighted to report that Maryland’s State Parks have been restored to a safe and relaxing condition for our visitors,” said Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina. “Maryland Park Service employees worked almost non-stop all week to ensure that our State Parks are open and available to the public for the Labor Day weekend. We know many people will want to get outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature’s better side.”

MPS will update the status of the State Parks at dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands. Park visitors can also contact MPS customer service at 1-800-830-3974 for updated information.

Maryland’s State Parks not only provide great outdoor recreation for Marylanders and visitors, they are also a great asset to State and local economies. According to a recent study, conducted in partnership with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Maryland Office of Tourism Development and the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, Maryland State Parks have an estimated annual economic benefit of more than $650 million. In 2010, visitors directly spent more than $567 million locally — $25.56 locally for every dollar the State invests in State Parks —during their visits. And almost 95 percent of visitors had their expectations met or exceeded during visits.