Gunpowder Falls State Park Wins MPS Lifeguard Competition

Boonsboro, Md. (August 22, 2012) ─  More than 60 Maryland State Park lifeguards vied for top honors in the 2012 Maryland Park Service (MPS) Lifeguard Competition on August 7 at Greenbrier State Park. The team from Gunpowder Falls State Park won first place, Assateague State Park’s guards came in second and those from Cunningham Falls State Park placed third.

“This annual competition allows these lifeguards to showcase their talents and to receive the recognition they deserve,” said Nita Settina, Superintendent of the MPS. “It is through their continuous hard work and dedication that we’re able to provide our guests with a fun, safe outdoor experience.”

Challenges included a 300-yard swim, beach flags, a rescue race, the Iron Guard relay and the Ultimate Challenge obstacle course. Lifeguards representing Assateague, Sandy Point, Greenbrier, Cunningham Falls, Point Lookout, Gunpowder Falls, Deep Creek Lake, New Germany, Rocky Gap, Pocomoke, and Herrington Manor State Parks participated in the event.

Individual prizes were also awarded to the first, second and third place winners for each event. Seth Hinder and Allison Hudson of Gunpowder Falls State Park were awarded top male and top female competitors overall. Josh Edwards of Cunningham Falls State Park took first place in beach flags for the second year in a row.

The competition received generous support from a number of businesses, organizations and volunteers, including Marine Rescue Products, Friends of Greenbrier State Park, Friends of Cunningham Falls State Park, Friends of New Germany State Park and the staff of Sandy Point State Park.

Maryland’s State Parks not only provide great outdoor recreation for citizens and visitors, they are also a great asset to State and local economies. According to a 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 one-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. 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