Maryland Advanced Wills Mountain State Park Planning
State officials secured new funding and land to finally open the long-closed Maryland park.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in National Parks
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has secured $753,684 in funding to begin planning and development for Wills Mountain State Park. The project aims to resolve access issues that have kept the park closed for over two decades.
Why it matters
Securing this funding allows the state to transform a defunct industrial site into a public amenity, addressing the historical lack of road access that prevented the park from opening since 1998.
The $753,684 project budget includes $521,684 from the Appalachian Regional Commission, $200,500 from the state, and $31,500 from local sources. The park will eventually span 823.38 acres, incorporating a newly acquired 195-acre tract.
The players
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
This state agency manages public lands, forests, and parks throughout Maryland.
Appalachian Regional Commission
This federal-state partnership aims to promote economic development across the Appalachian region.
Frostburg State University
This public university serves as a key academic and planning partner for regional development initiatives.
Rocky Gap State Park
This facility acts as the administrative and management hub for the state park complex.
The details
Frostburg State University will lead a comprehensive effort including market analysis, economic assessment, and a master plan. The state is currently remediating hazardous materials at a former 48-acre plastics plant to construct parking and visitor services.
Timeline
1966: The state purchased the first 51.69-acre parcel for the site.
1998: Wills Mountain officially became a state park.
2013: The Artmor Plastics plant closed.
March 2024: The department purchased the 48-acre Artmor Plastics site.
October 2026: The state announced new grant funding and property expansion.
The Big Picture
This project follows a pattern established by the Appalachian Regional Commission's community development grant program, which prioritizes repurposing industrial land for local tourism. The development mirrors similar efforts to convert abandoned industrial infrastructure into accessible public recreational assets.
Visitors should anticipate that construction and remediation work will continue at the former Artmor Plastics site before the park is fully accessible. Residents can follow updates from the Rocky Gap State Park complex regarding future opportunities for community visioning sessions.
The takeaway
The transformation of the former plastics plant into visitor services marks a critical step toward unlocking state-owned land that has been inaccessible for generations. This initiative demonstrates how targeted federal grants can resolve long-standing infrastructure barriers in rural regions.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation efforts at National Parks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bay Net.
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