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.

Where Racing Meets Real Estate

Perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise, since aficionados of street racing appear to be a well-heeled. jet-setting lot.  But while checking stories about races courses in Long Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and now Abu Dhabi, it seems that these successful and highly visible races drive more than cars -- they also propel the housing market.

In international venues where Formula 1 tracks are being constructed, luxury condo developments are right behind them.  In downtown locations like St. Petersburg and Long Beach, existing apartments and condos charge premium prices on the leasing and resale market for their proximity to the action.

Obviously, it is much too soon to see if this phenomenon manifests itself in the Baltimore market.  We won't be able to tell who benefits until the fleet goes roaring by.  But it is one of those ancillary considerations that isn't calculated until a successful event establishes itself as a tradition. 

Hopefully, the Baltimore Grand Prix will be an unqualified hit from the first green flag and real estate values will rise as a result.

Where Trails Meet Tourism

There's an interesting story out of Cumberland this week, concerning the Scenic Western Maryland Railroad.

In their annual budget presentation to the County Commissioners, the railroad's management revealed that ridership on the attraction (which takes visitors on a 32 mile trip up the mountain to Frostburg and back) was up by 22% in 2010, for a total number of 38,300 passengers for the eight month season.  Even better news is that more than 11,000 stayed at least one night in the area.

Any business increase in 2010 was noteworthy, but such a dramatic change in such a difficult year is almost astonishing.  But it is also easy to explain when one considers the growing popularity of their new best friend  -- the neighboring Allegheny Highlands Trail.

The Allegheny Highlands is the Maryland portion of the Great Allegheny Passage, which extends from Cumberland to Pittsburgh.  In Cumberland, it connects to the historic C&O Canal towpath all the way to Georgetown.  Surveys taken along various stretches of this trail indicate that hikers, equestrians, and cyclists come from all over the country to experience the beauty of the rivers and mountains it goes over and through.

Allegheny Highlands opened just a few years ago, the vintage railroad saw a great opportunity to partner with it, running shuttle services to Frostburg for cyclists who wanted to chug up the winding hills and coast back to Cumberland. 

(They must have had the Merry Marketeers in mind.)

For those who saw the wisdom (and economic impact) of completing the same passage first envisioned by George Washington to make it accessible for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, it is fulfilling the promise.  As other local jurisdictions consider similar projects, they realize trails are more than a quality of life amenity -- their heritage appeal, proximity to other attractions, and user friendliness make them a genuine tourist attraction.

Heart of a Community

While it isn't baseball season yet, a recent annual report coming out of Charles County yielded some remarkable news about Regency Stadium, built by the Stadium Authority in 2008 as the home of the Blue Crabs.

While the ball team was an immediate success , we didn't realize just how much a part of the community the eyecatching, garnet-gabled facility has become.

Built as a partnership between the team's owners, Charles County, and the State of Maryland, the stadium was designed to be versitile venue for year-round use.   Nonetheless, we were surprised when we saw just how successful Regency has become in its three years.

In 2008, the year it opened, it hosted fewer than 100 outside events.  By 2009, that number was up to 250.  And in 2010, more than 350 activities took place there.  We don't know if that includes autocross rallies or marathon registrations (April 17, 2011,)  but the parking lots are an important feature of Regency.  They also provide staging for carpools and bus service for Washington on weekdays.

This June, Willie Nelson will be performing in Regency, bringing even more folks to Charles County.

Those of us in the sports facilities biz take heart whenever we hear about a project that so quickly becomes a part of the community fiber and quality of life. 

For those partners who stepped up to the plate to invest in Charles County, Regency Stadium was clearly a home run.

Ready to Try Tri? Rock Annapolis in May

The TriRock Triathlon Series will drop anchor in Annapolis this May 14th for a sprint event where athletes swim Spa Creek along the seawall, pedal over the Naval Academy bridge, and run through the Historic District past the State House to the City Dock.

A "sprint" is an entry level course in the grueling world of triathlon, with a 500 meter swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run being far less daunting that a standard tri or the elite "Ironman" version. 

The National TriRock Series, which made its debut in 2010, fuses the arena of sports with music and entertainment.  Based on their success last year, the TriRock Series, an outgrowth of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, added Annapolis and Gettysburg to their tri tour for their heritage appeal.

As the title suggests, there will be music along the routes, and a concert (complete with red carpet) at the Market House finish.

Despite the highly competitive nature of triathlon meets, the community is warm and welcoming.  Annapolis has a very active Triathlon Club, which is excited about this event and supportive to the point of offering a free 10 week training plan to their members to get them in shape for it.

This race, which is expected to attract 1,000 participants and at least 2,000 more spectators and supporters, comes at a good time for Annapolis.  It falls right after lacrosse season, shortly before Commissionning Week, and (most importantly)

ON A SATURDAY, NOT SUNDAY !!!!

Big Air, Deep Snow, and Thin Ice

Last Sunday was the Maryland Open at Wisp, a successful reminder that, according to the calendar and the mounds of snow in Western Maryland, there is still plenty of winter to enjoy and lots of adventurous folks to share it with.

The Maryland Open turned out to be a rollicking jam for snow surfers of all ages, who competed in big air, slope, and free style skiing.

This was a family event, with spectators filling the slopes and competitors as young as 7 years old vying for prizes.  It was a regional draw, with participants coming from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia in addition to Marylanders.

Lori Epp at Wisp reminded us that although the temperatures are rising, winter sports are in full swing and this is a great time of year to enjoy them.  Ice fisherman are still huddled in their igloos on the lake.  As you can see from this picture, not all the yellow perch are waiting for the festival in North East.  Walleye and pike are also plentiful for those willing to tread on the thinning surface.

So enjoy the last few weeks of winter and journey to Maryland's only four season resort.  The Merry Marketeers are holding Terry to his promise for a field trip, so maybe you'll catch us tubing (more likely tumbling) down the slopes.

A Cecil Celebration – Perch and Panfishing

Lunch at the Turn Ten featured a club sandwich with layers of softshell crab and rockfish. Reminded us how lucky we are to live in Maryland, where such delicacies are part of our culinary heritage and bountiful natural resources.

Field and stream sports are not only a source of recreation and food.   In Eastern and Western Maryland, hunting and fishing are industries that support a number of small businesses and attract tourists from all over.  From off shore bill fishing in Ocean City to Bay charters to casting in rivers and creeks, Maryland outfitters offer the excitement of game fishing and the timeless beauty of our outdoors as attractions.

It’s too early for those activities, but for if you're anxious to cast a line and enjoy a Maryland tradition, the advent of panfishing season is here.

Panfishing, you say? How does one bait a pan?

The pan in question is not used for catching the fish, merely for frying it. So a number of species, small enough to fit in a pan, but large enough to be considered game, qualify. Here in Maryland, they are such tasty specimens as perch, crappie, blue gill and croaker. They spawn in the fresh waters of rivers, reservoirs, and lakes and start their migration right about now.

A particular favorite is the yellow perch, and the Coastal Conservation Association of the upper Bay is having their second annual “Yellow Perch Appreciation Day” this Saturday, March 5th in North East, honoring the first fish of the Chesapeake season. As many youngsters learn to fish in pursuit of the yellow perch, this is a family oriented event.

For CCA, a sportsmen’s advocacy group, the event celebrates the resurgence of the yellow perch, which has rebounded due in large part to tighter restrictions on commercial nets in tributaries.
 
(A shout-out to the DNR who worked hard to create the balance between commercial harvesting and recreational fishing which made this possible.  DNR has also encouraged local retail markets to carry the commercial product.)

A fishing tournament of thanksgiving and celebration for this savory delight takes place at North East Park. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Anglers can fish from a boat or on the park pier, competing for top prize of $250 for the single heaviest ned. Runner-up earns $200, third place $150, fourth place $100, and fifth place $50. A CCA Calcutta gives fishermen a chance to double winnings.

Other activities include angling contests for children, food and drinks. Plus, 'Yellow Neddy' is scheduled to make an appearance. Find more information here:

The ever-helpful DNR has compiled a roster of some of the best fishing spots in the state as well Cecil County. Be sure to visit this site here:
 
And of course, you'll want to eat what you catch, so check for some traditional recipes in the Maryland Seafood Cookbook