Westminster, MD, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – On Thursday, November 6th, Carroll County Recreation and Parks honored its committed volunteers. A total of four (4) categories recognized over 50 individual and group recipients. “The success of the Recreation and Park programs could not happen without the dedication and time given by the community volunteers,” said Bob Hicks, Director.  Volunteers logged 579,655 hours in Fiscal Year 2025. We thank each volunteer for their commitment and congratulate this year’s recipients.”

2025 Volunteer Award Recipients

Awardees are nominated by their respective Council or Facility group.

  • Lynn Wheeler – Carroll County Arts Council
  • Barb Carr – Carroll County Equestrian Council
  • Ed Prinz – Central Carroll Recreation Council
  • Emily Wolf – Charles Carroll Recreation Council
  • Dawn Gardner – Freedom Area Recreation Council
  • Beth Scott – Hashawha/Bear Branch Advisory Council
  • Richard Wagner – North Carroll Recreation Council
  • Lynn Graham – Piney Run Recreation & Conservation Council
  • Joey Edwards – Department of Recreation and Parks
  • Danny and Korin Watson – West Carroll Recreation Council
  • Jen Fitzgerald – Westminster Area Recreation Council
  • Rachel Flatley – Winfield Recreation Council
  • Brandi Deeb – Woodbine Recreation Council

Hall of Fame Inductees

To be considered for this honor, volunteers dedicate a minimum of twenty (20) years of their time and talent and make significant contributions resulting in a lasting impact. The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board scores and selects the Hall of Fame recipients. The 2025 inductees are:

  • Frank Baylor
  • Ray Owings
  • Jean Shea

Helping Hands Volunteers

The Helping Hands – Keep Our Parks Green Program consists of local groups and organizations that help keep local parks beautiful with organized clean-ups, trash pickups, and trail maintenance.  This year’s groups include:

  • Deer Park Lions Club
  • Eco Warriors
  • Girl Scout (Troop 1348)
  • The Stine Family
  • The ARC of Carroll County
  • Carroll County Democratic Central Committee
  • Ebenezer United Methodist Church
  • Freedom District Lions Club
  • J. Miller, LLC
  • Westminster Aktion Club
  • The Du Family
  • The Outdoorsmen
  • K & K Nature Squad Progress Unlimited
  • Walmart Associates
  • Westminster Soccer Association
  • A. Bank

Photo Ambassadors

A Recreation & Parks Photo Ambassador is someone who enjoys photography and is passionate about Carroll County Parks, recreational programs, nature, and the environment.  Select photos taken by Photo Ambassadors are featured on the department’s social media pages, in program guides, annual reports, and on the Carroll County Recreation & Parks website.

Park Legacy Fund Donors

The Carroll County Park Legacy Fund was established to accept contributions from individuals, families, businesses, and corporations to improve and enhance our county parks for future generations.