Park Quest 2011 Registers 1000 Teams In 26 Hours

Annapolis, Md. (April 26, 2011) — The Maryland Park Service (MPS) has closed registration for Park Quest 2011 after reaching its capacity of 1000 teams in 26 hours. MPS opened registration bright and early on April 25 and reached capacity by 11 a.m. on April 26.

“We would like to thank all the teams that have signed up and helped to make this the most successful registration yet,” said MPS Superintendent Nita Settina. “Park Quest is an exciting opportunity for Maryland families to spend time together outdoors while enjoying their beautiful State Parks.”

Park Quest, an outdoor adventure-based program, began with only six quests and 160 teams on the Eastern Shore in 2008. As a result of the great success and interest expressed, Park Quest continued to develop into 14 Quests statewide and 300 teams in 2009; 24 Quests and 750 teams in 2010; and now 1000 teams with an extended season in 2011.

Since the program’s inception, it has introduced hundreds of families to the many hidden treasures found in Maryland’s precious public lands. It is an affordable getaway for any family in Maryland and looks forward to sharing that experience once again.

Last year, Park Quest reached its capacity of 750 teams within three weeks of registration opening. With capacity increase to 1000, registration reached the capacity of 1000 teams within 26 hours. Entering the fourth year of Park Quest, the program has increased to 1000 teams and extended the Park Quest Season to run from May 7, 2011 to September 5, 2011.

Maryland’s state parks not only provide great outdoor recreation for Marylanders and visitors, they are also a great asset to State and local economies. According to a recent study, conducted in partnership with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Maryland Office of Tourism Development and the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, Maryland state parks have an estimated annual economic benefit of more than $650 million. In 2010, visitors directly spent more than $567 million locally — $25.56 locally for every dollar the State invests in state parks —during their visits. And almost 95 percent of visitors had their expectations met or exceeded during visits.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly a half-million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.