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LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKI ♪♪] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

IT WAS A HOT ONE TODAY.

TEMPERATURES AROUND 100° IN MUCH OF THE STATE.

HOWEVER, THERE WERE EXCEPTIS INCLUDING THIS SPOT WITH A NICE SEA BREEZE ON THE BOARDWALK IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND WHERE WE HAPPENED TO FIND OURSELVES THIS AFTERNOON.

SO WE CAUGHT UP WITH LONG TIME OCEAN CITY MAYOR RICK MEEHAN.

MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE AFTERNOON.

>> I WASN'T ONE THAT SCHEDULED THIS, JEFF.

>> Jeff: AND IT'S NOT TOO BAD WE ARE GETTING A SEA BREEZE.

>> WE HAVE THE BREEZE OFF THE OCEAN IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS A HEATWAVE THIS IS THE COOLEST PLACE TO BE.

>> >> Jeff: THE TEMPERATURE IS 99 IN BALTIMORE.

85 HERE IN OCEAN CITY.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHY PEOPLE CAME TO THE BEACH IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> IT IS.

IT IS A SUMMER DESTINATION A BEACH DESTINATION.

WE'VE GROWN OFF AND EXPANDED OUR SEASONS AND PEOPLE COME ALL YEAR LONG.

BUT WE ARE HERE RIGHT NOW AS THE WEATHER BROKE, THE SUN'S OUT IT'S HOT THIS IS OCEAN CITY'S TIME TO SHINE.

>> Jeff: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS BUT HOW MANY VISITORS DO YOU GET?

>> THROUGHOUT THE OUT 8 BILLION VISITORS AND HAVE COME BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY AND LABOR DAY.

SO WE'RE IN THE PRIME PART OF OUR SEASON RIGHT NOW.

>> Jeff: WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?

>> THE MID-ATLANTIC AREA.

PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, VIRGINIA THAT IS WHERE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF OUR VISITORS COME FROM.

THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION ARE FROM MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA.

>> Jeff: THE TOWN IS CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY.

>> 150 YEARS.

SO WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 150 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

I WAS NOT HERE 150 YEARS AGO.

BUT I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONGTIME.

THIS IS MY HOME.

I LOVE WHERE I LIVE AND BEING THE MAYOR OF OCEAN CITY IT IS A TREMENDOUS PLACE TO BE.

>> Jeff: YOU WERE REELECTED EITHER YOUR 20TH SUMMER SEASON OR CLOSE TO IT.

YOU SET THE RECORD PASSED HARRY KELLYE.

>> I THINK IT IS MY 20TH SUMMER SEASON.

I DIDN'T REALIZE IT TIME HAS GONE BY QUICKLY BUT IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE MAYOR IT IS A GREAT TOWN AND OUR CITIZENS ARE GREAT.

>> NO TERM LIMITS?

>> SET BY THE VOTERS THEY MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT SOMEBODY REMAINS IN OFFICE.

SO FAR I'VE HAD TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU AND PREVIOUS MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH BROADENING THE PEEL OF OCEAN CITY IS EXABING THE CONVENTION CENTER MULTIPLE EXPANSIONS OF THE CONVENTION CENTER RIGHT NOW THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE IS HAVING A CONVENTION.

IF YOU WALKED IN THERE, AND SOMEBODY SAID MR. MAYOR, 100 PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TURN AROUND?

>> I THINK THERE'S 87 MAYORS HERE I WAS AT A LUNCHEON WITH THE MAYOR'S ASSOCIATION MML STANDS FOR MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE REPRESENTING THE CITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

IT'S WONDERFUL THEY ARE ALL HERE WE GET TO SHOWCASE OCEAN CITY TO MY COLLEAGUES AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT IS A GREAT TIME.

THEY LOVE COMING HERE.

WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR CONVENTION.

THERE'S MORE ROOM FOR THEM TO HOLD THEIR SESSIONS FOR ALL OF THEIR DISPLAYS AND VENDORS.

AND IT'S WORKED OUT WELL FOR OCEAN CITY.

>> Jeff: USED TO BE THE EVENTS WERE TARGETEDTORS THE SHOULDER SEASON THE HOTELS ARE FULL ON THE BIG WEEKENDS BUT SEPTEMBER NOT SO MUCH.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE?

>> WE'VE CONTINUED TO EXPAND OUR SHOULDER SEASON IT RUNSTRONG MAY-SEPTEMBER INTO OCTOBER.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT ATENSE DANCE I THINK SEPTEMBER PASSED JUNE FOR THE NUMBER OF VISITORS THAT COME.

IT COULD BE THE PRETTIEST MONTH, WHERE THE HUMIDITY IS DOWN ANDS WATER IS WARM.

AND WE'VE DONE IT WITH IF HE FELT VALES WE STARTED WITH SPRING FEST AND OUR CRUISING EVENT WITH THE OLD CARS IN TOWN AND A BOARDWALK ROCK CONCERT DOWNTOWN TOOK UP THE BOARDWALK DOWNTOWN AND THE BEACH AREA DOWNTOWN.

55,000 PEOPLE WERE HERE FOR I ATWO-DAY ROCK CONCERT.

AND AS I TOLD YOU 70% OF THEM HAD NEVER BEEN TO OCEAN CITY BEFORE AND MOST HAD NEVER BEEN TO MARYLAND BEFORE.

SO WE'VE INTRODUCED MANY NEW VISITORS TO THE STATE.

>> Jeff: AND ONE OF THE THINGS YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR OFFSHORE WIND WHICH WOULD MEAN I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TURBINES TALL THINGS BUT WAY OUT THERE.

CERTAINLY FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT LOOKING FOR CLEAN ENERGY WHAT HAS THE CONCERN BEEN?

>> THAT IS A BIG QUESTION.

WE HAVE BEEN IN OPPOSITION TO THIS FOR EIGHT YEARS NOW.

WE SUPPORT CLEAN, GREEN ENERGY WE DON'T SUPPORT A BAD PROJECT AND THIS WOULD PUT 114 TURBINES 10.9 MILES WHERE THEY WOULD START OFF OF OUR COAST.

IF BUILT AS APPROVED THEY WOULD BE 938 FEET TALL.

ON LAND THEY WOULD BE THE TALLEST STRUCTURES IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

WE HAVE LOOKED OUR MAIN CONCERN WAS THE VIEW SHED AND OUR ECONOMY THAT IS STILL A BIG CONCERN BUT OUR ECOSYSTEM OUR MARINE LIFE OUR MARINE MAMMALS AND FISHING INDUSTRY THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF POSSIBLY TOTALLY DISPLACING OUR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY.

AND IN WEST OCEAN CITY WE HAVE THE ONLY COMMERCIAL HARBOR THAT HAS ACCESS TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THIS WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO THE SEAFOOD ECONOMY AND COST HUNDREDS OF JOBS.

THERERE SO MANY THINGS ABOUT THIS PROJECT, IT'S NOT AFFORDABLE.

IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

AND IT'S JUST NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON?

IT SEEMS LIKE THE OFFSHORE WIND NOT JUST HERE AND OTHER PLACES WAS GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD NOW WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION THAT LESS FRIENDLY TO PROJECT LIKE THAT, YOU MIGHT SAY.

ARE YOU RELAXING HERE?

>> NO, WE ARE NOT RELAXING.

WE ARE SUING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THE DEPARTMENT THE INTERIOR WE BELIEVE IF YOU LOOK AND FOLLOW THE PROCESS THAT TOOK PLACE TO APPROVE THIS PROJECT, THAT IT WAS RUSHED THROUGH BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IT DID NOT DOT ALL THE I'S AND CROSS THE T'S AND WE'RE SUING THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF THAT.

I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO REALIZE THAT, YES, WE ALL NEED TO SUPPORT OTHER FORMS OF NEW ENERGY.

OCEAN CITY IS ALL IN ON THAT BUT THIS IS NOT A GOOD PROJECT FOR OCEAN CITY OR THE STATE OR THE TAXPAYERS.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THE RATEPAYERS REALIZE THERE'S GOING TO BE A WIND TAX AND THEY ARE GOING TO SUBSIDIZE THIS PROJECT BEING BUILT BY U.S. WIND WHICH IS AN ITALIAN COMPANY.

I'M CONCERNED AS NEW FORMS OF ENERGY ARE EXPLORED WHAT WE WILL END UP IF IT'S EVER BUILT IS A WIND TURBINE GRAVEYARD OFF THE COAST OF OCEAN CITY.

>> Jeff: THIS IS LIKE AN IDEA AND WE'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FOR THE TOWN AND THE COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING HERE FOR A DAY OR TWO OR A WEEK, ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE PEOPLE GET HIT TRYING TO CROSS COASTAL HIGHWAY, INTO LONGER A PATH.

RIP CURRENTS PROBABLY NOT HAPPENING TODAY BUT AT TIMES CAN BE A DANGER.

AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE HERE THEY ARE IN VACATION MODE AND FOCUSED ON HAVING FUN.

IT'S TOUGH TO REACH THEM WITH THAT MESSAGE?

>> THAT IS A GOOD POINT AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

YES, WE HAVE CAMPAIGNS OUT THERE ALL THE TIME.

WALKMART, DRIVE SMART, BIKE ARE THE SMART THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO OBEY THE LAWS OF THE ROAD.

LOOK BOTH WAYS WHEN YOU CROSS.

ONLY CROSS AT THE CROSSWALKS.

ON THE BEACH WE HAVE A LIFEGUARD AT EVERY BLOCK OR BLOCK AND A QUARTER AND OUR LIFEGUARDS IF THEY SEE PROBLEMS IN THE WATER WITH THE RIP CURRENTS THEY WILL CALL THE PEOPLE OVER TO THE STAND AND EXPLAIN IT TO THEM AND TELL THEM WHAT TO DO IF THEY GET CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT.

WE ARE PROACTIVE.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO ARRIVE SAFELY AND HAVE A GREAT TIME WHILE HERE AND RETURN HOME SAFELY.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE CHANGE WITH PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO PUT UP TENTS ON THE BEACH?

I COULD SEE A FEW MINOR LITTLE EIGHT, 10-FOOT THINGS WHAT IS THE NEW RULE?

>> WE, THE BEACH WAS GETTING OVERTAKEN BY TENTS AND LARGE CANOPIES.

THEY WERE SETUP EARLY IN THE MORNING SOMETIMES NOBODY ATTENDED THEM UNTIL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.

WE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO TAKE SIMILAR ACTION THAT ALL THE DELAWARE BEACHES HAVE TAKEN AND IN NORTH CAROLINA AS WELL.

FIRST THING WE DID WE MADE IT SO TENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ON THE BEACH.

IF YOU WANT TO CAMP GO TO THE GREAT PLACE TO MANY KA.

WE ALLOW THE SMALL TENTS FOR BABIES AND KIDS TO PROTECT THEM.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE SUN.

CANOPIES ARE STILL ALLOWED BUT THEY HAVE TO BE NO MORE THAN 8 BY 10.

AND THE GLANCE THAT HOLDS THEM IN PLACE MUST BE WITHIN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE CANOPY AND NOT STRETCHED OUT TO BE A TRIPPING HAZARD AND THEY HAVE TO BE OPEN ON ALL SIDES.

WE ARE NOT BANNING WE'RE REGULATING AND TRY TO MAKE IT SO THE BEACH IS ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYBODY YET PEOPLE CAN PROVIDE THE SUN PROTECTION THEY ARE LOOKING FOR FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Jeff: HOW MANY PEOPLE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND?

300,000 PEOPLE.

>> WE WILL BE TEETERING ON THAT 350,0.

>> Jeff: THEN YOU HAVE A POLICING CHALLENGE FOR I ASMALL TOWN AND A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.

DOES EVERYBODY HAVE CAMERAS?

>> WE HAVE CAMERAS ON ALL OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS THEY HAVE BODY WORN CAMER THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT HELP TO US.

THEY DO HELP PREVENT ISSUES WHEN YOU WALK UP TO SOMEBODY AND MY BODY-CAM IS ON IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

AND WE'VE SEEN THAT.

AND WE ARE PROUD OF THE FACT WE WERE ABLE TO GET BODY-CAMS ON ALL OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

>> Jeff: I SAW VIDEO WITH YOU WITH A SEA TURTLE THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE HAD RESCUED AND REHABILITATED A SEA TURTLE.

DO YOU EVER SEE THEM ON THE BEACH HERE?

>> NOT SEE THEM ON THE BEACH THAT WOULD BE VERY, VERY RARE.

BUT WE PARTNER WITH THE BALTIMORE AQUARIUM AND HAVE A FACILITY THEY HAVE A FACILITY IN OUR BUILDING UP AT 65TH STREET THEY CAN USE FOR RESCUE PURPOSES.

AND WE'RE PROUD.

YOU KNOW, THE MARINE MAMMALS ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO OCEAN CITY AND TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM IS IMPORTANT.

>> Jeff: OCEAN CITY CELEBRATING A ANNIVERSARY.

AND RICK MEEHAN HAS NOT BEEN THE MAYOR FOR ALL OF THOSE YEARS, THINGS THE LAST 20 OR SOMETHING.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

I HOPE EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND COME VISIT US AT OCEAN CITY.

IT WILL BE THE COOLEST PLACE IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

>> I'M CHARLES ROBINSON THE INK IS DRY AND THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WILL CALL TRUMP CITY HOME FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> I'M THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT CIAA TOURNAMENT IS COMING BACK TO BALTIMORE.

>> THIS IS ABOUT MUCH MORE AS YOU HEARD FROM THE COMMISSIONER THAN A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT OR EXTRA DOLLARS COMING INTO THE CITY.

THIS IS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP VALUES AND PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH ONE ANOTHER THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON TOGETHER AS WE CONTINUE TO CHART THIS PATH OF THE LEGACY OF BOTH THE CIAA AND OF BALTIMORE.

>> IT MARKS THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE CIAA.

WE HAVE A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED HISTORY AND YOU ARE PART OF THAT HISTORY.

>> ACCORDING TO VISIT BALTIMORE THE NUMBERS SHOWED A WIN-WIN FOR THE CIAA BALTIMORE CITY AND THE REGION.

WHO 0 MILLION DOLLARS SPENT IN THE CITY OVER FIVE DAYS.

4.9 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE.

92 BLACK VENDORS RECEIVED 1.5 MILLION IN DIRECT BENEFIT FROM THE TOURNAMENT AND CREATED 1500 JOBS.

SO WHEN THE CIAA TOURNAMENT ENDED LAST YEAR, BALTIMORE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD HAVE A CHANCE, BUT THE FOLKS ON THE FRONTLINE KNEW THEY WERE IN THE RUNNING.

>> CHARLOTTE WAS DEFINITELY A STRONG COMPETITOR THEY HAVE A GOOD PRODUCT AND KNEW IF WE DID WHAT WE DID AND TOLD OUR STORY ABOUT THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN BALTIMORE WE HAD A GREAT SHOT TO WIN IT.

I FOCUSED ON BALTIMORE AND I DIDN'T FOCUS ON ANY OTHER COMMUNITY.

>> WATCHING IT ALL WAS MARK ANTHONY OF THE GREATER BALTIMORE COMMITTEE.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN AS INTENTIONAL IN SELLING AND MARKETING BALTIMORE THE WAY WE CAN.

WITH CIAA IS A PROOF POINT WHEN YOU HAVE THE COLLABORATION AND THE RIGHT MESSAGE AND THE RIGHT TEAM, CAN MAKE BIG INVESTMENTS OUT OF HERE.

>> AS THE PARTICIPANTS AND VENDORS GEAR UP, THERE IS A UNIQUE OPTIMISM FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THOSE INVOLVED IN THE TOURNAMENT SEE GROWTH AND ENHANCEMENT.

I'M CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> Jeff: NOW, MARYLAND PARK GOERS ARE ADJUSTINGO A NEW RESERVATIONS SYSTEM NOW IN EFFECT AT TWO OF THE BUSIEST PARKS.

WE SPOKE WITH TIM HAMILTON, AT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES.

TIM THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT THE RESERVATION SYSTEM IS MEANT TO ADDRESS?

>> WELL, IN 2019 WE KEEP CLOSE TRACK OF OUR VISITORS WE HAVE ALMOST 80 PARKS AROUND THE STATE.

AND 25 MINUTES AWAY FROM A PARK IN MARYLAND AND WE'VE SHATTERED ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS WITH 14 MILLION VISITORS.

THE NEXT YEAR WE HAD 22 MILLION WE WENT FROM 14 MILLION TO 22 MILLION BECAUSE OFHE PANDEMIC.

SO PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BREAK OUT OF THE RUT BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC THEY ARE WORNG FROM HOME.

PEOPLE WHO NEVER VISITED MARYLAND STATE PARKS BEFORE AND ONCE THEY FOUND US WE STAYED FOUND.

WE'VE HAD VARIOUS NUMBERS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT NEVER LIKE 17, 18 MILLION BUT WE ARE WELL ABOVE WHERE WE WERE PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

WE'RE LOVED TO DEATH A LITTLE BIT.

SO WE HAVE TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEMS THAT COME WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE.

WE WANT THEM TO HAVE A GREAT TIME AND FUN.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS WE CAN ONLY HOLD SO MANY PEOPLE.

IF YOU THROWING THE NUMBER LET'S SAY YOU HAVE ONE PARK WITH A THOUSAND PARKING SPACES AND 3,000 PEOPLE WANT TO COME IN?

WHAT DO YOU DO.

IN 2019 WE IMPLEMENTED A SYSTEM AT FALLING BRANCH, UP IN ROCK STATE PARK NORTH OF BALTIMORE AND A POPULAR AREA TO VISIT BECAUSE OF THE WATERFALL.

AND WE HAD A SMALL PARKING LOT AND COULD NOT EXPAND.

AND WE HAD A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO USE THAT ROAD TO GET IN AND OUT.

AS A RESULT WE HAD BACK UPS AND PEOPLE COULDN'T GET OUT AND TRAPPED IN THEIR OWN HOMES IT WAS AN UNTENABLE SITUATION SO WE LAUNCHED A PILOT PROGRAM WE HAD A RESERVATION SYSTEM YOU HAD TO MAKE A RESERVATION BEFORE YOU COME IN.

AND PEOPLE GRUMBLED ABOUT IT AND AFTER THAT IT WORKED.

THE RESIDENTS LOVE TO DO AND THE VISITORS LOVED IT.

THE RANGERS LOVED IT AND IT WORKED.

SO WHEN WE STARTED HAVING BACK UPS IN GREEN BREYER WE WERE HAVING TWO-THREE MILE BACK UPS AND PEOPLE WERE COMING OUT AT IN LINE FOR THE NEXT DAY.PLACE BY MIDNIGHT 4:00 A.M. PEOPLE ARE LINKED UP AND WHEN WE LET THE PEOPLE IN, WE GET TO A POINT NO ONE ELSE COULD COME IN AND WE HAD TO DO A CAPACITY CLOSURE AND WE HAVE 200 OF THOSE A YEAR.

WE NEED TO LOOK TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE GET INTO THE PARKS AND IF THEY CAN'T THEY CAN MAKE ALTERNATIVE PLANS.

IF YOU CAN'T GET INTO GREEN BREYER OR SANDY POINTE HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER PARK WE ARE NOT GOING TO WASTE OUR TIME IN LINE WAITING TO GET IN.

>> Jeff: IT IS AN AMAZING COMPLIMENT TO THE PARK SYSTEM YOU HAD THE PANDEMIC SURGE AND PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES BUT THEY KEPT COMING BACK AND I UNDERSTAND IT'S TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING WHAT IS THE NEW PLAN?

>> THAT SEVEN DAYS BEFORE THE PARKS ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS IT STARTS ON MEMORIAL DAY AND GOES THROUGH LABOR DAY.

OVER THE SUMMER WE WILL HAVE FIVE PARKS THAT ARE GOING TO USE THE RESERVATION SYSTEM WE ARE PILOTING TWO THIS WEEKEND OR THIS UP COMING WEEKEND AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE OTHER THREE COME ON-LINE IN THE SUMMER.

SEVEN DAYS BEFORE GO ON-LINE TO THE VENDOR WEBSITE AND YOU CAN MAKE RESERVATIONS BEFORE YOU COME OUT AND IT WILL SEND YOU A QR CODE SO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A RESERVATION WHEN YOU COME TO THE PARK YOU DRIVE UP AND SHOW YOUR PHONE WITH YOUR QR CODE AND THEY SCAN AND YOU'RE IN.

THAT'S ALL THE IS TO IT.

>> Jeff: THE STARTING POINT IS THE STATE PARKS WEBSITE.

AND THEN FROM THERE, ARE YOU CHARGING FOR THIS?

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW?

>> WE HAVE A SMALL CHARGE SINCE IT'S DONE OVER A CREDIT CARD IT WILL BE THE CREDIT CARD FEE AND 30 CENTS CHARGE.

SOME PARKS WILL CHARGE $3 PER PERSON AND OTHERS $3 PER CAR WE ARE TALKING SMALL FEES IT IS A 2.9% WHATEVER THE CREDIT CARD CHARGES AND 30% SERVICE FEE THAT GOES TO THE VENDOR IT'S MINIMAL.

>> Jeff: AND THEN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO.

WHEN PEOPLE HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS, AND THEY SHOW UP AND GET TURNED AWAY, IF THAT'S THE PLAN, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE UPSET CUSTOMERS?

>> WE ARE THAT'S WHY WE ARE DOING MEDIA APPEARANCES AND OTHER STATIONS AND PRESS RELEASES AND E-MAIL BLASTS GOING OUT TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

HANDOUTS GIVEN TO PEOPLE AS THEY COME TO THE STATIONS SIGNS ON THE ROADS.

WE HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS GOING UP.

WE HAVE GREAT ENGAGEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

SO DESPITE ALL THAT, WE ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE A FEW PEOPLE DISAPPOINTED ON MEMORIAL DAY.

AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING TO ALLEVIATE THAT.

IT'S GROWING PAINS.

THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO WITHOUT A BUMP IN THE BEGINNING AND PEOPLE WILL KNOW THIS IS WHAT YOU DO AND MAKE THEIR VISIT SO MUCH BETTER.

>> Jeff: AND YOU'RE HOPING THAT PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET IN, DON'T GO AWAY AND SIT AT HOME AND DO NOTHING.

BUT MAYBE FIND ANOTHER MARYLAND PARK THAT IS UNDERUTILIZED THAT IT HAS THE AMENITIES THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

ARE THERE PARKS LIKE THAT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CALL PEOPLE'S ATTENTION TO?

>> THE FIRST ONES WILL BE GREEN BREYER STATE PARK IN WESTERN MARYLAND AND ANYTHING WEST OF ROUTE 15.

ANYTHING WEST OF FREDERICK.

AND THEN WE WILL BE DOING SANDY POINT WHICH IS THE BASE OF THE BAY BRIDGE.

AND THE REASON BEING THOSE ARE WILDLY POPULAR AND THE CARS BACK UP.

NOT ONLY DO THEY CAUSE AGGRAVATION FOR THE PEOPLE, B THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE AND THE TRAFFIC.

GREEN BREYER WE CAN HAVE TWO-THREE MILE BACK UPS AND GETTING OVER THE BAY BRIDGE ANY BIT OF TRAFFIC WILL CAUSE THINGS TO SNARL.

LIKE I SAID YOU NEVER MORE THA 25 MINUTES AWAY FROM A STATE PARK POW TASSO THEY CLOSE BUT AREAS LIKE THE DANIELS AREA THAT DON'T FILL UP OFTEN.

AND ST.MARY'S RIVER IN JUST A FEW MILES TO THE SOUTH 20 MINUTES TO THE SOUTH.

BUT WE HAVE FOUR REGIONS THE WEST, CENTRAL, SOUTHERN AND WE HAVE EASTERN SHORE.

AND WE HAVE A VERY, VERY POPULAR PARKS AND PARKS THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT.

IN YOU GO TO SOLDIER'S DELIGHT ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES AWAY.

AS A RESULT SINCE PEOPLE FOUND US THROUGH THE DURING THE PANDEMIC BY ACCIDENT THEY WILL FIND OUT ABOUT SOME OF OUR LESSER KNOWN PARKS.

>> Jeff: YOU'VE LONG HAD A RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR CAMPGROUNDS, OF COURSE.

DOES THAT CHANGE AT ALL?

>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW SYSTEM LAUNCHING NEXT YEAR.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE HAVE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT'S GOING TO BE IN LATE FALL EARLY WINTER WE WILL FOR EVERYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW FOR OUR CAMPSITES AND PAVILIONS AND SOME OF OUR RENTAL PROPERTIES AROUND THE STATE.

WE HAVE GREAT CABINS IN WESTERN MARYLAND IF YOU ARE INTO THE WINTER THING, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DEEP CREEK LAKE YOU ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH NEW GERM THINK STATE PARK AND SWALLOW FALLS GREAT WINTER ACTIVITIES UP THERE.

BUT WE HAVE A RESERVATION SYSTEM TO RESERVE THAT ON-LINE AND IF IT'S FILLED, IT'S GOING TO COMMEND OTHER STATE PARKS.

HOWEVER, BASED ON YOUR NEEDS AND WHAT YOU WANT HERE ARE OTHER PARKS THAT ARE SIMILAR AND THAT WILL LAUNCH NEXT YEAR.

>> Jeff: I'VE SEEN LONG LINES OF CARS AT THE PARK ENTRANCE POINT AT ROCKY GAP.

THERE IS A LAKE AND A BEAUTIFUL BEACH AND ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES.

DOES DEEP CREEK A LITTLE BIT LONGER DRIVE FROM THE BELTWAY AREAS, DOES THAT ONE GET OVERCROWDED?

>> NO, IT DOESN'T.

BECAUSE WE'RE CENTRALLY MARYLAND CENTRIC HERE JUST IN GENERAL.

BECAUSE YOU FORGET SOMETIMES THERE IS A WESTERN MARYLAND OR EASTERN SHORE.

AND WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE, 68 OPENED UP THINGS ROUTE 68.

YOU KNOW WHEN IT WAS BACK IN THE 80s TRYING TO GO TO DEEP CREEK IT WAS A TREK YOU H TO GO THROUGH ROUTE 40.

NOW IT'S HOW MUCH MORE ACCESSIBE AND IT'S THE WATER.

IF THEY CAN'T TAKE THE OCEAN THEY LIKE THE LAKES AND THERE'S NO NATURAL LAKES IN MARYLAND THESE ARE ALL MAN MADE LAKES AND ROCKY GAP HAS THE CLEANEST LAKE IN MARYLAND.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE GENERALLY GO TO GREEN BREYER AND IT'S FILLED UP THEY KEEP GOING ANOTHER 45 MINUTES UNTIL THEY GET TO THE ROCKY GAP AND AT SOME PEOPLE WILL GO TO DEEP CREEK.

WESTERN MARYLAND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GREEN BREYER WE DON'T GET OVERCROWDED FOR THE MOST PART.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT STAFFING?

ARE YOU STILL HIRING SEASONAL WORKERS?

>>E'RE ALWAYS HIRING.

WE'RE HIRING RANGERS AND SEASONAL WORKERS.

WE LOVE IFOUR KIDS ARE LOOKING FOR SUMMER JOBS WE NEED LIFEGUARDS AND NOT JUST AS TEAK IN OCEAN CITY.

BUT WE HAVE LAKES AND POOLS.

WE HAVE DAN'S MOUNTAIN POOL IN WESTERN MARYLAND.

AND WE HAVE THE POOL ON THE EASTERN SHORE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LIFEGUARDS.

>> Jeff: MOSQUITOES IS THE ANSWER TO WHY YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO BE A LIFEGUARD ALL SUMMER?

YOU HAVE THE LIFEGUARDS HAVE THE BEST REPELL LANDS.

>> AND THEY HAVE A NICE BREEZE.

MOSQUITOES THERE THE SIZE OF SMALL BIRDS YOU DODGE THEM.

>> Jeff: THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING CALLED THE 25 AND 2025 ADVENTURE CHALLENGE.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> SO THIS IS A PROGRAM CHALLENGES YOU TO GET OUT AND VISIT MARYLAND STATE PARKS AND COMPETE 35 CHALLENGES BEFORE NOVEMBER.

IT LAUNCHED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND WE HAVE EVENTS AND WE HAVE CHALLENGES AT PARKS ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND WE WANT YOU TO GO THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND PICK OUT YOUR CHALLENGES IF YOU COMPLETE 25 OF THE CHALLENGES YOU CAN BE ENTERED INTO A PRIZE DRAWING.

THERE IS A $25 DONATION AND THE ENTRY FEE APPLIES BUTOU CAN WIN FROM FREE PASSES ANNUAL PASSES AND WE HAVE STATE PARK SWAG AND ALL THESE THINGS.

BUT WE HAVE TASKSET L SETUP ALL OVER THE STATE.

NOT UNLIKE WHEN WE USED TO DO PARK QUEST PEOPLE WANT THINGS THAT WERE MORE FLEXIBLE YOU COULD DO AS A TEAM, AS A FAMILY OR ON YOUR OWN.

WE HAVE A CHASING WATERFALLS YOU CAN AND YOU THINK WE'RE IN MARYLAND WE HAVE SPECTACULAR WATER FALLS.

YOU GET PICTURES AND SUBMIT THEM AND GET ENTERED INTO THE CONTEST.

VISITING ISLANDS.

JAMES ISLAND.

WE HAVE ALL THESE EVENTS LIGHTHOUSES.

LAKES.

DISK GOLF CHALLENGES.

YOU CAN BUILD YOUR ADVENTURE THROUGH NOVEMBER.

IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

[♪♪]