St. Mary’s Recreation and Parks launches online registration, text alerts and online volunteer background checks

St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks began online program registration and payments this week, staff told the board, and also rolled out email listservs and a new text-messaging alert system for program notices and cancellations.

The department said the online registration portal allows users to create a household account and pay for classes and childcare online. “We began with online registration for the very first time,” Arthur (Recreation and Parks staff) said, adding that first-time users should allow a two-week window to set up household accounts and passwords before registration opens. Staff credited Vermont Systems (the registration software) and a third-party payment processor for handling the financial transactions.

Why it matters: Online registration and push alerts change how residents will learn about openings, cancellations and special events. Staff said the tools will reduce walk-in and phone transactions and let families print account histories for tax purposes.

Department officials described three communication layers: targeted email listservs, a countywide subscriptions page that includes Recreation and Parks items, and a text-message alert that the department will use sparingly (for event announcements, registration openings and cancellations). Arthur said text messages are currently “all or nothing” (subscribers receive text alerts broadly), and that users must reply to a confirmation to opt in; email opt-outs and standard unsubscribe instructions will be available.

Volunteers and background checks: Recreation staff also reported that the county’s Community Standards background-check process is now available online for volunteer coaches. ‘‘Since July when we put that up, about 35% are doing it online instead of having to come in or send it in or fax it,’’ Arthur said. Staff said submitted background checks are verified internally and then forwarded to the county’s vendor, SSCI, for processing.

Staff and vendor responsibilities: The department said Vermont Systems hosts registration pages and the payment processor holds card payment data; Recreation staff confirmed there are security measures and that vendors manage card-processing protocols. Staff also said the county’s Information Technology team worked with Recreation and Parks to implement email lists and texting.

What’s next: Staff encouraged residents to create household accounts early, and said they will monitor uptake and refine how text alerts are used so messages remain limited to a few high-value announcements each year.