Friends of
Cunningham Falls and
Gambrill State Parks
Mission Statement
To support and enhance the programs and recreational offerings of Maryland's Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks through charitable contributions and in-kind donations.
There's still another weekend of fun!
54th Annual
Maple Syrup Festival
March 8-9 and 15-16, 2025
Celebrate the annual Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park! Guests can watch staff demonstrate the traditional way of boiling sap into syrup, listen to live bluegrass music, and take a hayride through the Maple Grove. Try your hand in the great pancake race – trying to flip a pancake on the run ahead of other contestants – or enjoy a hot pancake breakfast with sausage and maple syrup.
meet our sponsors
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Welcome
to our organization
The Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks, Inc. is a support group for Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks. Our members consist of local residents, representatives of the surrounding business community, campers and people like you who care about the park and want to be a part of making a difference for its future. The park needs this outside base of volunteers to maintain the high level of service the community has come to expect.
The Friends strive to generate financial support necessary for supplementing the park's budget. All proceeds go directly into the parks. You can see this in improvements such as the the renovated Nature Center at High Rock Scenic Area of Gambrill State Park, tree plantings, new safety equipment, updated vehicles and heavy equipment. We also provide continuing support for events such as the "Maple Syrup Festival", "Tea In The Tea Room" and the "Friends 10K, 5K and Fun Run Race".
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Become a friend...
Our Officers - 2025
Carol Abraham Burger, President
Jim Burger, Vice President
Kathy Byrne, Treasurer / Erin Gambrill, Secretary / James Baker, Past President
"Directors at Large"
Victoria Anderson / Rick Canter / Roberto Juarez
Matthew Lindbergdashwork / Mary Miller / Christine Patterson / Chris Trone
A message from the Park Manager
"Volunteers are a critical aspect to the daily operation of both Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks.
Whether you desire to serve as a camp host, member of a trail maintenance crew, as a volunteer ranger, to help out at a special event, or as a supportive member and advocate of our Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks, there's a role tailored to your time and talents. You might even have a skill that we didn't know we needed until you took the initiative to share it with us!
I invite you to contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Claudia Padilla, via the park office or through e-mail at claudia.padilla@maryland.gov to request a volunteer application and discuss opportunities to serve your natural resources, your neighbors and yourselves.
Your contribution is priceless."
News
On March 16, 2024, the Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks were presented with a State of Maryland Governor's Citation.
This was a high honor for the Friends and an exciting opportunity to meet and socialize with our elected officials.
Photo (L-R): Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Friends President James Baker, Park Manager Mark Spurrier, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, City of Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird
