Parks commission approves three roadside banners and outlines movie-night logistics, QR donations

The Sykesville Parks and Recreation Commission on May 28 approved purchasing three roadside banners to promote the town’s 2026 cinema/movie series and discussed pre-show programming and payment changes for the event snack shack.

Commissioners reviewed two design directions and agreed the darker, more modern banner and a bolder yellow variant had merits; they corrected the display copy to read "second Saturday." After a motion and second, the commission approved buying three banners to replace existing signage at the way station, Springfield and Miller Cooper Park. Commissioners asked staff to match the dimensions of prior banners and discussed an additional banner for the splash pad fence if budget permits.

Members also planned pre-show activities, confirmed Piney Run Park’s naturalist will attend for the A Bug’s Life screening and discussed staffing and volunteer timing so pre-show activities start about an hour before sunset. On payments and donations, commissioners agreed to offer QR-code payment options alongside cash at the snack shack, and to provide a separate QR code for donations to the local food bank. A member said, "It is so much easier for people to donate money than it is for them to remember to bring canned goods," noting the QR option would not necessarily replace food collection but would be an additional channel for giving.

Staff and commissioners also agreed to improve snack-shack signage and menu boards, and to provide training for volunteers unfamiliar with QR transactions. The commission asked staff to coordinate banner ordering and to confirm budget availability at the next meeting.