Sugarloaf Mountain, renowned for its scenic hiking trails in Frederick County, Maryland, is set to welcome the public once again on Tuesday, as confirmed by the private nonprofit organization responsible for its ownership and upkeep. The park had been temporarily closed since August following an attempted burglary at a mansion located on the premises.

Stronghold, the nonprofit entity overseeing the property, has officially announced the reopening of Sugarloaf on October 10. They’ve outlined several “significant changes” to enhance the park’s security and visitor experience. To bolster security, the installation of surveillance cameras at various locations has been completed. To maintain order, visitors will no longer be permitted to park at intersections or along roadsides, with the aim of preventing improper parking, late-night loitering, and unauthorized access to Stronghold property after hours.

Sugarloaf’s operating hours have been set from 8 a.m. to sunset, with the front gate closing at 4 p.m. The nonprofit emphasizes on its website that exceeding these hours is not allowed and warns that vehicles left on the property after sunset will be subject to towing, as per Stronghold’s policy.

In recent years, the Frederick County government has been actively engaged in developing the Sugarloaf Area Plan, with the intention of regulating development in the region. The plan recognizes the pressure for development due to the area’s natural beauty, its proximity to the greater Baltimore region, and the general population growth in Frederick County. Consequently, property owners have expressed concerns that public access to Sugarloaf could potentially be restricted, depending on county zoning decisions.