Renovations Unveiled At Centennial Park South In Howard County For Better Accessibility

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — County officials on Monday unveiled renovations recently completed at Centennial Park South. The project included widened pathways, a new accessible parking lot and pathway improvements, and other improvements.

Construction began in October 2021. Pathways were widened to improve accessibility and to allow for emergency vehicles to access the pathways. A new accessible parking facility with accessible parking spots was added at the bottom of the hill, which is where the deck and pathways begin. Decking and railings were replaced to enhance the south entrance boat rental facility. Pathways now connect the new parking facility with the existing boat ramp, boat rental facility, restrooms and the amphitheater.

“These improvements will continue to make Howard County’s largest regional park more functional and accessible to our residents of all ages and abilities,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “It’s so important that we continue to build reliable infrastructure and public facilities that will last for generations. This especially includes our public outdoor spaces, our beautiful pathways, waterways and other amenities which now can be enjoyed by even more people.”

Other improvements included replacing deteriorating retaining walls with beautiful and functional segmental block retaining walls, adding a storm water management micro-bioretention facility to improve water quality/flow within the redeveloped area and replacement of the decking and railings at the south lower boat rental area.

“I hope that, just like I bring my kids now to paddleboat, that in the future, I’ll be with my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren in beautiful places like this, Camp Ilchester and pocket parks in Ellicott City,” Howard County District 1 Councilmember Liz Walsh said.

A bicycle pump and tool rack for cyclists will be added near the deck area this fall. Landscaping at the newly improved areas will also be completed this fall.

“While the improvements are aesthetically pleasing, we were focused on accessibility and public safety,” Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks Director A. Raul Delerme said. “This investment ensures that Centennial Park can be enjoyed by all visitors for many years to come.”

Other improvements to Centennial Park are underway, including the planning of a sensory trail to wrap around the new, sensory-friendly play experience located in Centennial Park North that opened in November 2021. The Centennial Park west area fieldsalso are undergoing renovations The improvements there include the replacement of the three existing ball fields with three artificial turf baseball diamonds, redesigning the two existing multi-purpose fields into one artificial turf multi-purpose field, athletic lighting replacements, expanded parking, existing parking lot improvements and associated pathways and stormwater quality facilities.

Now 337 acres, Centennial Park was established in 1987 with a vision to create an environment where anyone and everyone could visit to play, hike, boat and come together as a community. The south area boasts a 54-acre man-made lake, a 2.6 mile paved walkway, a boat ramp and dock area, playground, pavilions and more.