Fall into Fun with Recreation and Parks - Lern

John R. Byrd
Director
Fall into Fun with Recreation and Parks
With summer coming to a close and fall just around the corner, there is no better way to stay active
and to organize fun activities for you and your family than by delving into the Department of
Recreation and Parks’ 2011 Fall Activity Guide.
2011 has been a busy and exciting year for our Recreation and Parks’ team. Not only has program
and camp enrollment increased, but the opening of the North Laurel Community Center continues
to usher in hundreds of residents who are eager to utilize this beautiful facility.
On September 10, the Robinson Nature Center is set to officially open. The County’s first-ever nature
center includes a number of green features including geothermal heating/air conditioning and solar
panels which will generate 15% of the building’s electric needs. As a result of these design elements,
Robinson is on track to becoming one of only three LEED Certified Platinum buildings in the State.
In addition to the innovative physical features of the building, visitors will love the indoor
planetarium, outdoor amphitheater, butterfly garden and exhibits on topics like the Chesapeake
Bay, Life of the Forest and the Nocturnal Forest. This state-of-the-art facility is just another example
of our County’s commitment to environmental sustainability and making Howard County the best
place to live in the U.S.A.!
Ken Ulman
Howard County Executive
While enjoying the fall foliage, back to school activities, and the promise of cooler nights, consider taking
advantage of the many opportunities Howard County Recreation and Parks provides. You will find a great
variety of programs that range from joining a softball league, to taking a yoga class, to visiting NYC, to
participating in a mommy & me class with your toddler, to learning a new sport or craft.
We hope you find the new layout of our Guide helpful and easy to read. On this side, you will find our new
index, upcoming events, programs, classes, and valuable information. Then, flip the Guide over to see what’s
in Sports, Fitness, and Outdoor Adventures.
We welcome you to visit our 57 parks (including a dog park) and five recreational facilities. (If you need GPS
coordinates for a park, trail, natural area, or facility, please visit our website.) Our 58th park, Blandair Park,
is opening in the fall of 2012. Check our website for more details.
Our newest Community Center, North Laurel, had its ribbon cutting on June 3. This Center has a state-ofthe-art
workout facility, a senior center, health center, community police station, ball courts, and more!
We are building a skate park adjacent to the facility, and are creating stroller-friendly walking trails.
Another new facility, the Robinson Nature Center, is opening this fall. Visitors will experience the cultural
and natural history of Howard County through explorations in a two-story multi-sensory exhibit room.
Even the state-of-the-art digital planetarium, children’s discovery room and wildlife viewing areas will
entice visitors to spend more time exploring the natural world that surrounds us every day. The next
phase for the center will include a butterfly house, amphitheatre, and trails.
We hope you have a relaxing, fun-filled fall.