East Columbia Library Park Plans Unveiled, Construction To Start Next Spring

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The new design for Howard County's new East Columbia Library Park has been unveiled.

It's been 10 years since the park was first designed and the updated version includes a playground, pavilion, two grass fields and a walking path. Right next door to the park at Lake Elkhorn Middle School, visitors will find youth baseball and softball fields and the county’s sixth cricket pitch, specifically designed for youth cricket players, which opened in 2022.

"At the heart of every successful park, lies the voices of those who call it home. In listening to and working with members of the Owen Brown community, we have collaborated every step of the way to design a space that truly resonates with this diverse community. Collectively, we have created a vibrant, local park that beckons individuals of all ages and abilities to come together, while embracing nature and recreation and crafting new experiences," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Nick Mooneyhan, director of the county's department of recreation and parks, said that when officials heard that neighbors in the Village of Owen Brown had a slightly different vision, the planners and architects revised the plans.

"Community feedback, ideas and passion are the driving forces behind our mission to create the best possible parks, community amenities and programs," Mooneyhan said.

Michael Golibersuch, Village of Owen Brown Board Chair, thanked the county for being responsive to the residents' requests.

“This location is really important, because it's kind of like the missing link that brings the library, the park, the village center...the lake and the schools. So, it all ties together in one central location,” said Any Stacks, Columbia Association Board of Directors for Owen Brown.

Construction for this project has been slated to start in the spring of 2025 with a completion date in the spring of 2026.