Westminster, MD, Wednesday, February 7, 2024 – Beginning March 1, 2024, Piney Run Park will expand its pilot program to implement a cashless system throughout the park. When the entire park opens on March 1st, all areas of the park, which includes the gatehouse, boathouse, and Nature Center, will only accept credit and debit cards. Visa, Master Card, and Discover are accepted.

The Nature Center at Piney Run Park, located at 30 Martz Road in Sykesville, began a three-month pilot program to be cashless on December 1, 2023.  After an evaluation and due to the success of the program, the county decided to expand the initiative and implement the cashless program throughout the park when it reopens for the season.  The county will continue to monitor and evaluate the success of the cashless system throughout the year.

Program registrations, pavilion rentals, and season passes can be purchased online at https://ccrec.recdesk.com/

The park anticipates that moving to a cashless system will improve convenience and accuracy by reducing transaction times and the amount of time park staff spend managing cash, decreasing errors, and improving accountability and auditing practices. 

Piney Run Park and Nature Center, located near Sykesville, are operated by the Carroll County Department of Parks and Recreation. Natural, educational, and recreational opportunities abound as the park has 550 acres of fields, forest, and open space, over five miles of hiking trails, a lake, and recreational facilities. The park was opened in 1974, featuring a 300-acre lake as its centerpiece, and provides multiple recreational activities such as fishing, boating and boat rentals, and park-sponsored fishing tournaments. Amenities also include tennis courts, playgrounds, climbing rock, picnic tables, and comfort stations. The Piney Run Nature Center, Park Office, and six pavilions, which are available to rent during our open season, are all located near the main entrance which is accessed off White Rock Road.