WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 965
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Chapter 965
(House Bill 1358)
AN ACT concerning
Natural Resources – Establishment of Gwynns Falls State Park – Focus Group,
Advisory Committee, and Report
FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Natural Resources to establish Gwynns
Falls State Park as a partnership park between the Department and Baltimore City;
requiring that Gwynns Falls State Park consist of certain properties in Baltimore
City and include certain landscapes and facilities; requiring the Department of
Natural Resources and Baltimore City to take certain surveys, convene certain focus
group meetings on certain subjects, and establish a certain advisory committee, and
develop a list of priority needs and associated costs for park improvements; and
generally relating to the establishment of Gwynns Falls State Park.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Natural Resources
Section 5–1012(a) and (b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY adding to
Article – Natural Resources
Section 5–1012(f–1)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENE RAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Natural Resources
5–1012.
(a) In this section, “partnership park” means a unit of the State park system
managed by the Department in partnership with a local government, a bicounty agency, or
a nonprofit organization.
(b) The Department may enter into:
(1) A memorandum of understanding with a local government, bicounty
agency, or nonprofit organization to establish a partnership park in the State; or
Ch. 965 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(2) A partnership agreement with a local government, bicounty agency, or
nonprofit organization to manage a partnership park in the State.
(F–1) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH GWYNNS FALLS STATE
PARK AS A PARTNERSHIP PARK BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND BALTIMORE CITY
THAT SEEKS TO PROVID E VISITORS WITH ACCE SSIBLE OUTDOOR , NATURE–BASED
RECREATION AND LEARN ING OPPORTUNITIES .
(2) GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK SHALL BE HELD BY THE STATE AS A
STATE PARK UNDER THE PROTECTION AND ADMIN ISTRATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT .
(3) (I) GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK SHALL CONSIST OF
PROPERTIES THAT ARE :
1. OWNED BY THE STATE AND DESIGNATED BY THE
DEPARTMENT TO BE ADMI NISTERED AS PART OF THE STATE PARK; OR
2. A. OWNED BY BALTIMORE CITY OR A NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION ; AND
B. DESIGNATED AS PART OF THE PARK BY A
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMEN T BETWEEN THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AND THE
DEPARTMENT .
(II) GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK SHALL, AT A MINIMUM ,
INCLUDE:
1. LEAKIN PARK;
2. THE GWYNNS FALLS TRAIL;
3. WINANS MEADOW/CARDIN PAVILION; AND
4. THE CRIMEA SECTION.
(4) THE MEMORANDUM OF UND ERSTANDING ESTABLISH ING THE
GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK SHALL DEFINE :
(I) THE ROLES AND RESPONS IBILITIES, INCLUDING FINANCIAL
RESPONSIBILITIES , OF THE DEPARTMENT AND BALTIMORE CITY IN MAINTAINING
AND OPERATING THE STATE PARK; AND
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 965
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(II) A PARTNERSHIP ROLE FOR THE FRIENDS OF GWYNNS
FALLS/LEAKIN PARK IN SUPPORT OF TH E STATE PARK ’S MISSION AND
VOLUNTEERS .
(5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A SUMMER CONSERVATION
JOBS CORPS PROGRAM FOR HIG H SCHOOL STUDENTS AT GWYNNS FALLS STATE
PARK.
(6) (F–1) (1) THE DEPARTMENT AND BALTIMORE CITY SHALL:
(I) 1. TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF BALTIMORE
CITY RESIDENTS REGARD ING THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD:
A. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GWYNNS FALLS STATE
PARK; AND
B. OUTDOOR RECREATION IN GENERAL, INCLUDING
THEIR INTERESTS IN A ND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION A ND
BARRIERS TO OUTDOOR RECREATION ; AND
2. (I) CONVENE FOCUS GROUP M EETINGS ON THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK PARK WITH COMMUNITY
MEMBERS AND STAKEHOL DERS THAT RESIDE OR OPERATE IN THE VICIN ITY OF THE
PROPOSED STATE PARK;
(II) DEVELOP A LIST OF PRI ORITY NEEDS AND ASSO CIATED
COST ASSESSMENTS FOR PARK OPERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS , INCLUDING:
1. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ;
2. CRITICAL MAINTENANCE ;
3. ENHANCED NATURAL RESO URCE MANAGEMENT AND
RESTORATION , INCLUDING IMPLEMENTA TION OF A BIOHABITAT S STUDY;
4. HISTORIC SITE RESTORA TION;
5. ENHANCED OUTDOOR RECR EATION AMENITIES ,
INCLUDING TRAIL IMPR OVEMENTS; AND
6. ADDING PARK STAFF AND PROCURING EQUIPMENT
AND SUPPLIES; AND
7. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND P UBLIC SAFETY; AND Ch. 965 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(III) ESTABLISH A STAKEHOLD ER ADVISORY COMMITTE E TO
ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT AND BALTIMORE CITY ON THE SCOPE AND MANAGEMENT
OF GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK THAT CONSISTS OF :
1. A REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E FRIENDS OF GWYNNS
FALLS/LEAKIN PARK;
2. AT LEAST THREE REPRES ENTATIVES OF
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZ ATIONS FROM NEIGHBOR HOODS THAT BORDER TH E
STATE PARK;
3. AT LEAST TWO REPRESEN TATIVES OF
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANI ZATIONS IN BALTIMORE CITY;
4. AT LEAST ONE REPRESEN TATIVE OF A HISTORIC
PRESERVATION ORGANIZ ATION IN BALTIMORE CITY; AND
5. ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED BY THE
DEPARTMENT .
1. AT LEAST ONE MEMBER O F THE FRIENDS OF GWYNNS
FALLS/LEAKIN PARK;
2. AT LEAST SIX MEMBERS REPRESENTING LOCAL P ARK
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIO NS, LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS , LOCAL
HISTORIC PRESERVATIO N ORGANIZATIONS , NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZ ATIONS
FROM NEIGHBORHOODS T HAT BORDER THE FUTUR E GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK
SITE; AND
3. ANY ADDITIONAL MEMBER S AS DETERMINED BY T HE
DEPARTMENT AND BALTIMORE CITY.
(7) (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024 DECEMBER 1, 2025, THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON:
(I) PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE IN BALTIMORE CITY
THAT IS SUITABLE FOR INCLUSION IN GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK;
(II) PROPERTY OWNED BY BALTIMORE CITY OR A NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION IN BALTIMORE CITY THAT IS SUITABLE FOR INCLUSION IN GWYNNS WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 965
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FALLS STATE PARK AND FOR WHICH TH E LANDOWNERS ARE WIL LING TO ENTER
INTO A PARTNERSHIP A GREEMENT; AND
(III) THE FUNDING NEEDED TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOT E
GWYNNS FALLS STATE PARK.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June
1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2024.