Bocce Courts Named In Honor Of Community Leader

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County Executive Calvin Ball unveiled a new sign dedicating the bocce courts at Cedar Lane Park West as “Grace Kubofcik Bocce Courts,” named after community advocate, bocce enthusiast and civic leader Grace Kubofcik.

Kubofcik died in June 2025 at the age of 83.

“Grace Kubofcik spent decades shaping civic life in ways that touched nearly every part of our community. A true leader, her passion, generosity, and ability to bring people together allowed her to easily connect with her fellow residents, community groups, and local leaders alike,” Ball said. “Grace was a familiar face at public meetings, dedicating herself to causes such as environmental stewardship, historic preservation, and affordable housing, that she knew would strengthen our great county. While Grace never held an elected office, she wholeheartedly served as a moral compass in many of our public conversations.”

A civic leader since the late 1970s, Kubofcik was an advocate for Howard County residents, businesses and visitors. In 1986, she served as administrative assistant to then-Howard County Executive Liz Bobo, who was the first female county executive in Maryland.

During her lifetime, she headed initiatives in housing affordability, improved early education, strengthened environmental protection and more. She worked to strengthen Howard County nonprofits through her work with the Association of Community Services and helped build an advocacy team at the League of Women Voters of Howard County. After the devastating floods in Ellicott City, she took charge, co-chairing the environmental segment of the Ellicott City Safe & Sound Master Plan.

A respected figure in Howard County’s bocce community, among whom she is affectionately known as the “Queen of Bocce,” Kubofcik was instrumental in bringing about improvements to Howard County’s local bocce facilities, including the courts at Cedar Lane Park West. These improvements included shaded structures and lighting that allow players to enjoy the game safely and comfortably into the evening.

In addition to bocce, Kubofcik also was passionate about civic engagement and service. For more than 60 years, she attended County Council and planning board meetings, was a champion on historical and environmental preservation, an advocate for affordable housing, past president of the League of Women Voters and was involved with the Howard County Citizens Association, where she helped residents stay informed and engaged in local governance.

“My mom really did enjoy life and looking out for everybody,” said Mark Kubofcik, one of Grace’s two sons. “The community that is here today in remembrance of her is very touching and very heartfelt.”

In July 2019, Ball officially opened the four ADA-compliant, synthetic-turf bocce courts at Cedar Lane Park West, located at 5081 Cedar Lane in Columbia. In addition to serving as home to the Special Olympics Maryland Howard County’s bocce league, the courts have become a popular gathering place for players of all ages. The courts host numerous friendly competitions, including the Monday League, which features 28 teams and approximately 115 players, as well as additional leagues that meet on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Before the construction of these four courts, Cedar Lane Park featured two bocce courts located uphill from the current courts that were built as an Eagle Scout project.

“Grace was a wonderful person with a light spirit, boundless energy, a tremendous zest for life and an incredible dedication to the good of the community. She was a great teammate and friend, a great bocce player and a great advocate for bocce,” said Carol O’Keeffe, Grace’s former team captain. “The day she passed, she called to wish her teammates luck in their last game of the season. Her loss will always be felt, but her memory is a blessing.”