2026 SAG Award Winners

Montgomery County Park & Planning

Project Goal

Montgomery Parks’ GIS Unit partnered with the Community Gardens team to modernize how more than 500 garden plots across 14 locations are managed. By using ArcGIS tools to map gardens, track assets, and digitize inspections, the team transformed a labor-intensive, paper-based program into a streamlined, data-driven operation that better serves gardeners, staff, and the broader community.

Business Problem Solved

The Community Gardens program relied on manual processes to manage plots and conduct seasonal inspections. Inspections were completed on paper, followed by time-consuming manual emails to gardeners. This approach required significant staff time, increased the likelihood of inconsistent communication, and limited the team’s capacity to focus on program growth, education, and broader food systems initiatives.

Technology Implemented

ArcGIS Field Map, ArcGIS Survey 123, ArcGIS Instant Apps

Development Team Biography

Wu, Tiffany is a Principal GIS Specialist. She supports department-wide GIS initiatives by developing technical applications, maintaining spatial data, and advancing data-driven workflows that support park operations and community programs. Her work spans multiple divisions, with a focus on improving efficiency, accessibility, and the effective use of GIS across the organization.

Clifford, Keegan serves as the GIS Supervisor. He oversees GIS operations, supports enterprise asset management and analytics initiatives, and works closely with staff across divisions to integrate GIS into planning, operations, and public-facing applications. His role emphasizes organizational alignment, innovation, and measurable outcomes from GIS investments.

Nelson, Michelle is the Community Garden Program Manager for Montgomery Parks. She oversees the department’s Community Gardens program, which provides residents with access to garden plots, educational opportunities, and volunteer engagement.