Prince George’s County Council confirms Daryl Barnes as chair of Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

The Prince George’s County Council voted to confirm Daryl Barnes as chair of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission on July 8, 2025, following a public hearing and a favorable Committee of the Whole recommendation.

The appointment matters because the commission oversees regional parkland, planning and major land-use projects that affect Prince George’s County’s economic development and recreation programs. Supporters said Barnes’s experience in business and government will help link park planning to local procurement and youth programming.

County Executive Ayesha Braveboy, who formally nominated Barnes, told the council Barnes is “a unifier” who understands both the executive and legislative branches and “that it is good business to do business with the people of Prince George’s County.” She recommended the council approve the nomination.

Sylvia Johnson, chair of the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, described Barnes as “a leader, a visionary, a unifier and most importantly, a man of service.” Bernard Wright, identified as the county’s director of information technology (OIT director), said he watched Barnes work “not for headlines, but for impact.” Multiple other local leaders and former elected officials spoke in favor of the nomination during the public hearing.

Barnes addressed the council and said he was humbled by the nomination. “I humbly ask for your vote and your support to be the next chairman of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission,” he said, adding that he wants park and planning “to be a destination for the world.” He referenced projects and opportunities in the county including Six Flags and the Blue Line corridor as areas for coordinated planning.

Reina Hightower read the Committee of the Whole report: the committee convened July 1, 2025, to consider Barnes’s nomination and “voted 11 in favor of the appointment” after a discussion of his qualifications and vision. The council then opened the floor to the administration’s presentation and a list of administration-designated endorsers.

Council members offered remarks before the final vote that emphasized job creation, youth programming and geographic equity in county services. Council members noted the chair’s role in shaping budgets and programs that affect parks, recreation and youth outreach across the county.

The council moved a favorable recommendation on the appointment and called the roll. Recorded votes during the final council roll call show affirmative votes from members present; the motion was announced as carried by the council.

The council announced a public reception for the new chair at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission building immediately after the meeting.

Daryl Barnes will serve as chair through a term expiring June 14, 2029; he is a resident of Largo, Maryland.

Sources: public hearing and roll call recorded at the County Council meeting, July 8, 2025.