Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined recreation officials and community advocates on Monday to officially unveil the latest improvements at Centennial Park in Ellicott City.
Areas of the park had been closed since October 2021 as construction crews widened pathways, added accessible parking spots and replaced decking at a boat ramp and boat rental facility.
“These many renovations are maintaining this treasured park while improving access for visitors of all ages and abilities – so that everyone can truly enjoy all that our park has to offer for years to come,” Ball said in prepared remarks.
Centennial Park is one of the region’s most popular recreation facilities, built around a 54-acre lake surrounded by a 2.6-male paved path that is heavily used by runners and walkers. Courts for volleyball , basketball, tennis, racquetball and fields for baseball and softball surround the 337-acre park.
Parks in Howard County and elsewhere have been increasingly utilized throughout the pandemic, and officials have been devoting resources to maintenance and improvements.
At Centennial, the project included new retaining walls along the pathway and a storm water management micro-bioretention facility to improve water quality.
Ball noted that the current county’s budget included $19 million for recreation and parks projects, the single largest investment in eight years. This funding will support the construction of parking, pathways, a skatepark, basketball courts, and pickleball courts at Blandair Regional Park to improvements to the equestrian ring at Schooley Mill Park.
He noted that the county has secured more open space through the acquisition of the Camp Ilchester Girl Scout property in Ellicott City.
