MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

State Park Week


Events for the Week of April 15-22, 2022


Friday, April 15

Kick off State Park Week
Sandy Point State Park
10:30 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Official ribbon-cutting for the Sandy Point Nature Center and Plaza. The Park Advisory Commission will present awards.

1-4 P.M.
Sandy Point Nature Center Grand Opening Open House
The New Nature Center will be open for the public to tour from 1-4 P.M., following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Little Explorers
Patapsco Valley State Park (Hilton Area)
10-10:45 A.M.
Nature Sounds - Programs for kids ages 0-3 to do with their parent/guardian to introduce them to the natural world.

Friends in Focus
Soldiers Delight NEA
3-5 P.M.
Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, capture our Scales & Tales animals on film in a natural setting. A Naturalist will be on hand to bring out 3-5 birds of prey and reptiles for photographers to take photos and to discuss the animals’ natural history. Cost: $15 per photographer. Registration required by 4/13. Open for the whole family.

Saturday, April 16

Monocacy NRMA
TBD
Public ribbon-cutting/dedication to announce 5 miles of new and rehabilitated multi-use trails at Monocacy NRMA.

Disc Golf Maintenance
Patapsco Valley State Park (McKeldin Area)
9 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Join staff and volunteers on a mission to make the disc golf course at Patapsco Valley State Park the best on the East Coast! Work usually includes clearing invasives and obstacles, as well as refilling the teepads. Trail Grand Opening/Ribbon-cutting.

Fishing Rodeo
Gambrill State Park
9 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Gambrill State Park welcomes anglers up to age 15 to participate in the annual Fishing Rodeo on Saturday, April 16 from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. 35 registered participants will cast a line in the Rock Run Pond in hopes to catch the largest sunfish, bass or catfish in order to win a prize! Participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must supply their own tackle and bait.

Invasive Plant Removal
North Point State Park
10 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Join Rangers and Master Naturalists to learn about invasive plants and then help remove them from the park.

Leave No Trace Ethics - Historic Sites
Washington Monument State Park
10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Join us at Washington Monument State Park and learn how you can enjoy the outdoors and explore historic sites without impacting them. Historic sites are special places that tell us the story of our past. Learn the principles of Leave no Trace as applied to heritage sites and help us in our mission to protect them.

Eggstreme Easter Egg Hunt
New Germany State Park
10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Search for thousands of eggs hidden along ten miles of trails! Families may register at any time but must be back by 2:00 P.M. to redeem their eggs for candy and prizes. Trails have varying difficulty ratings and some may not be suitable for small children. Children must be supervised by adults at all times.

Old-Growth Forest Hike
Swallow Falls State Park
11 A.M. & 2 P.M.
Explore the profound grandeur of an old-growth forest on this self-guided hike through one of Maryland's most mature and undisturbed groves of old-growth hemlock and pine. Participants will learn to identify characteristics of an old-growth forest, the significance of its biodiversity and unique ecological features, and how younger forests can age into the old-growth stage through proper management.

Not What You Think
Harriet Tubman UGRR State Park
1 P.M. & 3 P.M.
Not What You Think, an a cappella ensemble dedicated to social justice is joining the ongoing celebration of Harriet Tubman’s 200th birthday at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center in Church Creek, MD on April 22 at 1 P.M. and 2 P.M. Their program will express the journey for equality, freedom, and peace, exemplified by the life of Harriet Tubman. Free and open to all.

Thunder on the Mountain
Washington Monument State Park
11 A.M., 1 P.M. & 3 P.M.
Discover the significance of artillery during the Battle of South Mountain and the important role cannons played in the attack and defense of the mountain.

Easter Egg Hunt
Dans Mountain State Park
1 P.M.
The Dans Mountain Volunteer Team is hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt featuring thousands of eggs redeemable for candy! Families are strongly encouraged to arrive early to ensure adequate time for parking and instructions before the event. Children twelve years of age and younger may participate in this free event.

Invasive Vegetation Removal
Sandy Point State Park
1-3 P.M.
We will be meeting to remove invasive vegetation in the East Beach area as well as to discuss the formation of a Friends of Sandy Point Volunteer Group. Dress for the weather (rain or shine event) and wear long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes. Please bring a pair of heavy work gloves, loppers, and hand pruners.

Pink Moon
Soldiers Delight NEA
8-10 P.M.
Join Westminster Astronomical Society for some stargazing at Soldiers Delight NEA. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Pink Moon because it marked the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the first spring flowers. The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25.

Sunday, April 17 (Easter)

Trail Grand Opening/Ribbon-Cutting
Monocacy NRMA
TBD
Public ribbon cutting/dedication to announce 5 miles of new or rehabilitate multi-use trails at Monocacy NRMA.

Aviary Adventures - Grandparents & Me
Soldiers Delight NEA
10-11:30 A.M.
Ever wonder how an owl, a vulture, or a hawk eat their meals? Enjoy a tour of Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area’s aviary during morning feeding time. Get a chance to enjoy the beautiful wonders of raptors up close. After the feeding presentation we will go on a short hike together to see what wild raptors we can identify onsite. $5 fee.

Invasive Plant Removal
North Point State Park
10 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Join Rangers and Master Naturalists to learn about invasive plants and then help remove them from the park.

Leave No Trace Ethics - Historic Sites
Washington Monument State Park
10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Join us at Washington Monument State Park and learn how you can enjoy the outdoors and explore historic sites without impacting them. Historic sites are special places that tell us the story of our past. These fragile, irreplaceable resources might not be readily visible, learn the principles of Leave No Trace as applied to heritage sites and help us in our mission to protect them.

Old-Growth Forest Hike
Swallow Falls State Park
11 A.M. & 2 P.M.
Explore the profound grandeur of an old-growth forest on this self-guided hike through one of Maryland's most mature and undisturbed groves of old-growth hemlock and pine. Participants will learn to identify characteristics of an old-growth forest, the significance of its biodiversity and unique ecological features, and how younger forests can age into the old-growth stage through proper management.

Thunder on the Mountain
Washington Monument State Park
11 A.M., 1 P.M. & 3 P.M.
Discover the significance of artillery during the Battle of South Mountain and the important role cannons played in the attack and defense of the mountain.

Monday, April 18

TBA

Tuesday, April 19

Weed or Wildflower?
New Germany State Park
9-10:30 A.M.
Want to preserve our regional biodiversity? Then bring your work gloves, knee pads, favorite weeding tools and some elbow grease to remove unwanted plants from the Native Plant Garden with the Friends of New Germany State Park. As you work, you'll learn how to identify common weeds and why protecting native plants is so critical for wildlife.

Wednesday, April 20

Invasive Removal
Patapsco Valley State Park (McKeldin Area)
9-11 A.M.
Learn about the invasive plants invading the park and how to remove them around your home. Then get hands-on experience by helping staff remove the invasives here.

Shoreline Restoration/Mitigation Project
Smallwood State Park
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Completing the shoreline restoration mitigation project at Smallwood State Park. With the help of the Maryland Conservation Corps, we will be installing 160 linear feet of coir fiber logs and filling an area with approximately 56 cubic yards of sand in preparation for the planting of over 1,300 marsh plants as the event culmination on Friday.

Thursday, April 21

18th Century Market Fair
Fort Frederick State Park
9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Journey back in time as 18th century artisans, craftspeople, and sutlers sell everything from reproduction ironware and pottery to firearms and clothing. Food available. Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Frederick State Park. For more information visit their website at https://friendsoffortfrederick.info/market_fair.htm Admission Fee $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12, 5 and under free.

Invasive Removal
Patapsco Valley State Park (McKeldin Area)
9-11 A.M.
Learn about the invasive plants invading the park and how to remove them around your home. Then get hands-on experience by helping staff remove the invasives here.

Let's Pull Together!
New Germany State Park
9-11 A.M.
The Friends of New Germany are looking for volunteers to help remove garlic mustard, an exotic invasive plant known to be harmful to native plant and pollinator species.

Shoreline Restoration/Mitigation Project
Smallwood State Park
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Completing the shoreline restoration mitigation project at Smallwood State Park. With the help of the Maryland Conservation Corps, we will be installing 160 linear feet of coir fiber logs and filling an area with approximately 56 cubic yards of sand in preparation for the planting of over 1,300 marsh plants as the event culmination on Friday.​

Friday, April 22

Park-Wide Cleanup
Cunningham Falls & Gambrill State Parks
TBD
Help park staff with their annual trash pick-up in all areas of CFSP and GSP.

18th Century Market Fair
Fort Frederick State Park
9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Journey back in time as 18th century artisans, craftspeople, and sutlers sell everything from reproduction ironware and pottery to firearms and clothing. Food available. Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Frederick State Park. For more information visit their website at https://friendsoffortfrederick.info/market_fair.htm Admission Fee $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12, 5 and under free.

Morning Earth Day Litter Cleanup
Patapsco Valley State Park (Avalon Area)
9-11 A.M.
Make an environmental impact this Earth Day by beautifying the Avalon Area! Volunteer with the Maryland Park Service on the morning of April 22 and help us remove trash from the Patapsco River along the Grist Mill Rail and River Road.

Shoreline Restoration/Mitigation Project
Smallwood State Park
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Completing the shoreline restoration mitigation project at Smallwood State Park. With the help of the Maryland Conservation Corps, we will be installing 160 linear feet of coir fiber logs and filling an area with approximately 56 cubic yards of sand in preparation for the planting of over 1,300 marsh plants as the event culmination on Friday.

Storytelling
Patapsco Valley State Park (Hilton Area)
10-10:45 A.M.
Perfect for kids and families ages 0-3. Listen to a book about the amazing world around you and get excited about nature.

Afternoon Earth Day Litter Cleanup
Soldiers Delight NEA
1-3 P.M.
If you can't make it to the morning park cleanup at Avalon, come up to the Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area Visitor Center from 1-3 P.M. and help clean the roadways along the park! We will provide trash bags, gloves, trash grabbers, and safety vests for cleanup attendees!

Park Grand Opening/Ribbon-Cutting
Cypress Branch State Park
2-5 P.M.
Youth fishing derby, family activities and games.