 Clusters of red maple tree blossoms signal the beginning of an early spring at Smallwood State Park (Photo by Ranger Soetje)
In This Edition:
- Smallwood State Park is Hiring!
- Sweden Point Discovery Center Donations: THANK YOU!
- Reminder: Smallwood State Park Campground Update
- Easter Egg Hunt 2023 at Smallwood State Park
- Smallwood State Park: We are Looking for Volunteers!
- Chapman State Park: We are Looking for Volunteers!
- Mattawoman Creek Species Spotlight
- Meet the Staff!
- Park Staff Happenings
- Upcoming March Bass Tournaments
- Upcoming March Programs
- Park Websites
- Save Our Pollinators
- Annual Pass Available for Purchase
Smallwood State Park is Hiring!
The Smallwood State Park team is hiring for 2023 seasonal staff! Open positions include:
- Maintenance Worker
- Park Ranger
- Concessions Attendant
- Naturalist
- Visitor Services Attendant
Pay begins at $16.15/hr. The Smallwood State Park team also manages Chapman State Park. Both beautiful parks are located in Charles County. If any of these positions interest you, please visit the State of Maryland Job Openings website, scroll to Seasonal Positions, and select that you are interested in working in Charles County when filling out your application for your position(s) of interest.
We look forward to working with you this summer!
Sweden Point Discovery Center Donations: THANK YOU!
We would like to express a huge THANK YOU to all who have donated to the Sweden Point Discovery Center so far. Since last month's newsletter, we have received several items from our Amazon Wishlist and beyond that have helped us make exciting updates to the Sweden Point Discovery Center. We greatly appreciate your dedication towards supporting a successful reopening, which is still scheduled for April 1st, 2023. Here is what we have received:
 A donor provided us with two forest partitions to serve as the perfect backdrop for our new white-tailed deer exhibit. It's double-sided, too, which will allow us to create another exhibit on the other side for you to enjoy.
 This owl nesting box was provided to us by a donor who wanted to find it another home. This donation inspired the creation of our new owl exhibit.
 We have an artificial tree for park visitors to walk into for an immersive experience. A donor provided us with lights to place inside the tree. They can change into many different color options with the press of a button.
 These are all of the books that we have received from many donors. They're beautifully illustrated and add diversity to our collection of books for all visitors to enjoy.
Want to be the next contributor to the Sweden Point Discovery Center? Park staff continue to work hard to acquire items and could use your help! Consider offering your support by taking a look through our Amazon Wishlist and making a donation today!
Reminder: Smallwood State Park Campground Update
Smallwood State Park’s campground is currently undergoing renovations! Upgrades include new additional mini cabins, water and electricity hook-ups at each camp site, fresh picnic tables and fire rings, and a new bathhouse. Renovations are currently on schedule for our anticipated spring opening. However, reservations for campsites and cabins may currently only be booked for August-October until the spring opening is confirmed with park staff. This confirmation will be shared with the public as soon as possible. If you have any additional questions about the campground renovations, please contact us directly by email at smallwood.statepark@maryland.gov or by phone at (301) 743-7613. To make a reservation, please visit parkreservations.maryland.gov or call 1-888-432-2267.
For upcoming updates about the campground reconstruction, please visit our website.
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Easter Egg Hunt 2023 at Smallwood State Park
It has become a tradition for the Friends of Smallwood State Park to host an annual Easter Egg Hunt. This year, it will be occurring on Saturday, April 8th 2023 and we invite you to attend this public event! Activities, including nature crafts and face painting, begin at 10:00a.m. Then, the egg hunt begins at 10:30a.m for the following age groups: 0 to 3 years old, 4 to 7 years-old, and 8 to 10 years-old. There will be lots of prizes and goodies to look forward to, and we hope to see you there!
Want to be behind the scenes? We are seeking volunteers to help run the event, arriving at 8:00a.m. to help set up for the day and to assist with the festivities. If you are interested in volunteering with us for the day, please email Volunteer Coordinator LTC Ranger Kristina Soetje at kristina.soetje@maryland.gov with the subject line "Easter Egg Hunt Volunteering" for more information.
Mattawoman Creek Species Spotlight for March 2023
This month’s Mattawoman Creek Species Spotlight is the yellow perch! This fish, scientifically named Perca flavescens, tends to be brassy green to golden yellow on the sides and white to yellow on the belly. Their most distinguishing feature is 6-8 dark vertical bands found across their back and sides. The body is elongate, moderately compressed, and can reach a maximum size of 18 inches. On the Atlantic coast, yellow perch range from South Carolina to Nova Scotia. In Maryland, yellow perch have adapted to the estuarine waters of Chesapeake Bay; in fact, sightings have been reported in all of its major tributaries and streams, such as the Mattawoman Creek. Adult yellow perch inhabit slow-moving, nearshore areas where moderate amounts of vegetation provide cover, food and protection. These adults migrate from the lower areas of the tributaries to the upper areas in search of suitable spawning habitat. This happens from late February within the Chesapeake Bay region to April within the Deep Creek Lake region. Larval yellow perch will remain in the tributaries, but will generally migrate offshore to reduce their risk from predators. As juveniles, they move back to the shorelines to feed on the richer, nearshore food sources.
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Meet the Staff!
This month's staff highlight features State Park Ranger II Elena Gilroy! Here is what she would like to share with you about her experience with the Maryland Park Service:
"Smallwood has been my home for over half of my lifetime (17 years now). I started working here in 2006, when my first job ever was working in the tollbooth and concessions stand. I worked here seasonally all through high school and college in various positions. I am most proud of my role in revitalizing programming and interpretation for the park, including turning the Marina Services Building into what is now the Sweden Point Discovery Center. I was hired as a full time Ranger in 2011, at which point I spent 2 years assigned to New Germany State Park in Western Maryland. I quickly left the snow and cold behind to come back home in 2013, and have been here ever since. Outside of the park, I spend much of my time working on our family farm with my husband and twin 5-year-olds, and in my spare time (if I have any) I enjoy kayaking and nature photography."
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Park Staff Happenings
What have our staff been up to these days? Maintenance Supervisor Rooney and Maintenance Technician Lassiter have been constructing items for the campground reopening, including fresh lantern posts and brand-new picnic tables!
 A new picnic table for the campground sits in the maintenance shop and is ready for final touch-ups. The legs of the picnic table, sanded down for smoothness and repainted for freshness, were recycled from old picnic tables that used to inhabit the campground.
Upcoming March Bass Tournaments
| Date |
Name |
Number of Boats |
| 3/26 |
Kickin' Bass Anglers |
15 |
Upcoming March Programs:
None this month.
Unless otherwise noted, events are held rain or shine, free and fun for all ages; donations are always welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dress for the weather/activity, wear sunscreen and insect repellent, bring plenty of water and snacks, and check for ticks.
Please call 301-743-7613 for additional information or to register.
Park Websites
For additional information regarding Smallwood State Park and Chapman State Park, please visit our websites below:
Smallwood State Park
Chapman State Park
Save Our Pollinators!
Donate today to support butterfly and bumblebee
habitat and education in state parks!
Donations in any amount are a helpful way to make a difference. Thank you!
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 Annual Pass Available for Purchase
$75 for Marylanders; $100 for out-of-state visitors
Our annual State Park and Trail Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks, and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals.
To enhance convenience and value, this year's pass will arrive in a self-contained packet with a detachable hang-tag, and will be valid for a full year from the month of purchase.
Our network of 75 state parks include more than 900 miles of trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding, as well as unique water access and camping facilities.
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