Fred Eskew Recreation Area Dedication

Fred Eskew Portrait

Rosaryville State Park
April 22, 2012

Program

Welcome
Ranger Patrick Bright, Jr., Manager, Southern Maryland
Recreational Complex

Introduction of Master Plan for Fred Eskew Area
Ranger Nita Settina
Superintendent, Maryland Park Service
Click here to read remarks.

Reflections on Fred
Secretary John Griffin
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Click here to read remarks.

Memorial Planting of Native Grasses and Trees


The Memorial Plaque

Ranger Patrick Bright, Jr., Manager, Southern Maryland Recreational Complex stands next to the Plaque

This area of Rosaryville State Park
is dedicated in honor and memory of

FREDERICK LEE ESKEW
(April 22, 1938 - April 29, 1986)

A graduate of the University of Maryland, School of Recreation and Parks, Fred Eskew dedicated 25 years to recreation and land preservation in Maryland, serving with the Prince George’s County Department of Recreation, the Charles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Maryland Department of Forests and Parks. Mr. Eskew was ultimately appointed as the Director of Program Open Space (POS), Assistant Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Governor’s State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officer.

Through his work with POS, Fred Eskew graced us with his unique legacy. Beginning in 1970, he guided the program with grit and determination to become the premier protector of public park and natural resources land in Maryland. The POS program has assisted and enhanced every local park system in Maryland and added many thousands of acres of protected land to State Parks, State Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas. His vision and vital work with POS made it a national model in open space preservation and contributed significantly to the scenic natural beauty and quality of life that all Marylanders enjoy today and which will continue to enrich their lives for many generations to come.

"Maryland is America the beautiful."
- Frederick Lee Eskew


Acknowledgements

The Eskew family and the Department of Natural Resources is grateful to the Park and Resources Conservation Foundation for its donation of a beautiful bronze memorial plaque for Fred L. Eskew’s dedication. DNR wishes to acknowledge the Park and Resources Conservation Foundation’s members and friends that personally contributed to make this donation possible: Offutt Johnson, Jim Mallow, Richard Stevenson, Chip Price, Barry Mangum, C. Eugene Mason, Edward Heath, Gilbert L. Kingsbury, Ken Alban and John Hewitt. We are also grateful to the Rosaryville Conservancy, Pineapple Alley Catering, and the Maryland Conservation Corps for their vital assistance in making this day possible.

Photo of Ranger Patrick Bright, Jr., courtesy of Roberta Dorsch

Click here for more information and directions to Rosaryville State Park.

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