Maryland State Parks -- Sports, Recreation, Quality of Life and $$$$$$

Governor O'Malley and top administration officials journeyed to Western Maryland this week to talk about job creation. It was a good time to unveil results from a year long survey of Maryland State Parks users, because Western Maryland is the state's playground and site of many of its most beautiful (and productive) assets. 

Just as we tout the benefits of sports events on the economy, our friends at DNR have been chanting the same refrain about state parks. Now they have impressive evidence to validate the claim. Bottom line -- Maryland State Parks conserve valuable historic and environmental treasures, make them available for public enjoyment, and generate substantial revenue for the state and local businesses in the process.