MarylandSB 02802026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Natural Resources - State Parks - Terminology

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Freedman's State Park in Montgomery County

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department establishes Freedman’s State Park in northeastern Montgomery County as a partnership park. The park can include State land and local or nonprofit properties in or near Brookeville, Olney, Sandy Spring, Zion, and Laytonsville added by agreement. A stakeholder committee advises the park and includes Montgomery Parks, the Heritage Tourism Alliance, the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, the Sandy Spring Museum, and other local members. The Department was required to report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2023 on suitable properties and funding needs.

New partnership parks and inclusive planning

Beginning October 1, 2026, the law creates a “partnership park” model. The Department can run parks with local governments, bicounty agencies, and nonprofits using written agreements. The Department must coordinate decisions to create parks that preserve African American, Asian, Indigenous or Native American, and Hispanic or Latino histories with named state commissions and community groups. The State’s long‑range park plan must include new parks and units that preserve and interpret these histories.

Planning Gwynns Falls State Park in Baltimore

The Department and Baltimore City must hold focus groups and set up a stakeholder committee for Gwynns Falls State Park, including at least one Friends group member and at least six members from local groups. They must list priority needs and cost estimates for repairs, habitat work (including a biohabitats study), historic restoration, trails, staffing, equipment, and public safety. The Department must report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2025 on suitable State, city, and nonprofit properties and the funding needed. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Port Deposit State Park in Cecil County

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department creates Port Deposit State Park as a partnership park focused on Black American history. The park covers 120–150 acres at the Bainbridge site and must include the Tome School, the Snow Hill archaeological site, and the adjacent wooded area. A stakeholder committee advises the park and includes town, county, state, and civic leaders, including the Mayor’s designee, local legislators, and the local NAACP. The Department must report by September 1, 2024 on properties to include, funding needs, and how to preserve other historic property in perpetuity.

Park jobs, volunteers, and access reporting

Beginning October 1, 2026, the long‑range plan must describe park workforce programs with historically Black colleges and universities and other partners. It builds hiring pipelines from volunteers, foster youth, and underserved communities into ranger and full‑time jobs. The plan must also report results from volunteer programs, use of charitable funds, and work with transportation agencies to improve bike, sidewalk, and trail access to State parks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Malcolm Augustine
Senate

Cosponsors

Craig J. Zucker
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 179 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 134 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/24/2026