UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is mourning the passing of Marye Wells-Harley, a visionary public servant whose four decades of leadership helped shape parks, recreation and planning across Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
Wells-Harley dedicated 42 years of service to M-NCPPC, leaving a lasting imprint on the National Capital Region. She served as director of the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation from 1996 until her retirement, and later as a Montgomery County planning board commissioner and vice chair from 2009 to 2017. She was also the first African American woman to serve on the Montgomery County Planning Board.
Her career was defined by innovation, access and a belief that public spaces should serve everyone.
“Her more than four decades of service demonstrated that parks, recreation and planning are not just about spaces and policies,” said Darryl Barnes, chairman of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Prince George’s County Planning Board. “They are about people, opportunities and building stronger communities.”
A Legacy In Prince George’s County
Under Wells-Harley’s leadership, the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation earned five National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medals for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management — a distinction that placed the county among the nation’s leaders in programming and public service.
Her tenure saw the expansion of inclusive services for individuals with disabilities, state-supported historic preservation and arts programs, and the widely attended Black History Month programs that became cultural cornerstones for the community.
She was also instrumental in modernizing department operations through the implementation of SMARTlink, an automated registration system, and supported the development of major facilities such as the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex.
Darius A. Stanton, director of the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, said her impact remains visible in the infrastructure and programs that continue to serve residents today.
“Her legacy lives on through the programs, services, facilities and opportunities that she personally created or contributed to enrich the lives of Prince George’s County residents,” Stanton said.
Regional Influence And Equity In Action
Wells-Harley’s influence extended beyond Prince George’s County. During her time on the Montgomery County Planning Board, she championed equitable access to parks, environmental stewardship and thoughtful regional growth.
After her service on the Planning Board, she continued her work as a trustee and later vice president of the Montgomery Parks Foundation. In 2018, the Marye Wells-Harley Dream Camp Scholarship was established in her honor. The scholarship supports young people from diverse backgrounds in Montgomery County, helping ensure access to summer camp and recreational programming.
Her public service also included work with the Maryland State Arts Council and the Prince George’s County Advisory Committee on Aging — further reflecting her commitment to ensuring community participation across generations.
In 2004, she was recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, among numerous national and state honors.
A Lasting Impact
M-NCPPC officials describe Wells-Harley as a transformational leader whose work extended beyond policy and programming.
She opened doors. She raised standards. And she built systems designed to serve people long after her retirement.
Founded in 1927, M-NCPPC serves more than 2 million residents across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties through land use planning, parks and recreation services. Much of its modern-day recognition and national standing can be traced back to the foundation laid during Wells-Harley’s leadership.
M-NCPPC extended its condolences to her family and the broader parks, recreation and planning community. Additional memorial information is expected to be shared at a later date.
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