Message from Park Manager, Donnie Oates
Greetings and thank you for checking out the volunteer opportunities at Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Parks. In this day of ever shrinking park budgets and staffs, our volunteers have become a vital part of our park operation. We offer many opportunities for volunteers, including; maintaining flower beds and entrances, volunteer ranger program, trail maintenance, nature programs or staffing our nature center, annual Fishing Derby, office work, concession operations and our campground host program.
Volunteer hours are flexible to fit your schedule, and open for everyone, whether you can donate an hour or two here and there, or are able to commit to a regular schedule of volunteerism. If one of the opportunities listed below sounds interesting to you, or if you have something else to offer, please contact us at the park and we will gladly meet with you to discuss the possibility of you becoming one of our volunteers. Our goal is to find the right fit for you so that your volunteering will be as rewarding for you as it is for us. I hope to hear from you soon.
Volunteer Opportunities
Fishing Rodeo
The Herrington Manor Fishing Rodeo is held the first Saturday in June at Herrington Lake from 8 a.m. to noon. Kids 16 and under are eligible to compete for prizes in their age class. Volunteers are asked to help with registration, food preparation, prizes and helping the kids while they fish.
Trail Clean Up
Volunteers are asked to help with blazing, picking up debris and general trail clean up activities on the Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls trail systems. They will work with a park employee and equipment will be provided. Main trail clean up will be in the spring but volunteers who are signed up may work anytime.
Volunteer Rangers
Volunteer rangers will be working with a park employee or on their own making sure the park is operating in good order. Some duties include walking trails, picking up trash, parking vehicles in the overflow parking area and welcoming park visitors by answering questions and giving directions.
Flower Bed Clean Up and Arrangement
Volunteers will be asked to spruce up park entrance and office flower beds and native plant areas. Tools, materials and guidance will be provided. These projects will primarily be part of spring clean up as the parks gear up for the season, but can continue through the summer as the need arises.
If you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities listed above, please contact:
Ranger Ryan Keller
Volunteer Coordinator
Herrington Manor & Swallow Falls State Parks
222 Herrington Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
(301) 334-9180
ryana.keller@maryland.gov
