2026 SAG Award Winners

Montgomery Parks

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 plots and advance 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 operation. 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.

Company Overview

Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) that manages and stewards an extensive system of parks, trails, and natural resources across Montgomery County, Maryland. The department is responsible for maintaining parkland, recreational facilities, conservation areas, and community spaces that support recreation, environmental stewardship, and quality of life for county residents.

Return on Investment

ime Savings: Transitioning to digital inspections using ArcGIS Survey123 and Power Automate reclaimed 24% of inspection time, equivalent to roughly two additional weeks of staff capacity each season.
Improved Outcomes: Automated, clearer communication contributed to a 29% reduction in inspection notices, indicating better plot care and compliance.
Higher Retention: Gardener satisfaction improved, with 90% of gardeners returning the following season—an increase over prior years.
Organizational Impact: Freed staff time allowed the Community Gardens team to focus on program expansion, community engagement, and strategic food systems work, while the GIS Unit demonstrated measurable value through efficiency, service quality, and award-recognized innovation.