COVID-19 Memorial Grove, Sculpture To Honor Loved Ones Who Died During Pandemic

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — When the coronavirus pandemic swept around the world, numerous lives were lost to this deadly disease. To remember those Howard County residents who lost their lives, officials plan to mark their memory with a COVID-19 Memorial Grove and Sculpture planned for Meadowbrook Park, which is located at 5001 Meadowbrook Lane in Ellicott City.

"This memorial will serve as a reflective space where members of our community can commemorate those who we lost during this challenging time. Together, we will continue to move forward, as a community, to recover, rebuild and reflect on this period of our shared history," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said.

Ball noted that Howard County residents who lost love ones not only experienced pain and grief, but those feelings were heightened because of the restrictions put in place.

"They couldn't fully grieve and lay loved ones to rest at funerals while we were in quarantine," Ball said.

Local artists will help create the memorial that tentatively will include a sculpture and seating area. Ball said he also hopes to work with community members who lost loved ones during the pandemic to ensure that the memorial honors everyone.