Maryland Parks Service will be requiring reservations for two state parks due to overcrowding.
As reported by Maryland Matters, Maryland is launching a mandatory reservation system at Greenbrier and Sandy Point State Parks on weekends and holidays, starting Memorial Day weekend. These two parks have seen overwhelming visitor numbers in recent years, with long entry lines, traffic backups, and staff pulled from essential duties to manage the crowds. The new system aims to reduce chaos at the gates and make visits safer and more predictable.
From the article:
The coronavirus pandemic brought Marylanders outdoors in droves, and park visitorship skyrocketed to 21.5 million: a staggering 45% increase over 2019. That year, 14 of the state’s 75 state parks had to close 292 times during peak season because they had reached full capacity.
Parks across the state saw record-breaking attendance, forcing temporary closures and putting pressure on natural resources and surrounding communities. The new reservation system, developed by vendor Kaizen Labs, allows visitors to secure entry online up to seven days in advance. QR codes will be scanned at the entrance, and visitors without reservations will be turned away. While expansion is not planned beyond five parks for now, the Maryland Park Service is focusing on areas with the most urgent capacity issues.
