About
Howard County aims to create a premier Public Garden destination featuring beneficial flowering native and non-native plant species from multiple regions for visitors to develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for the value of plants to sustain human life and a healthy environment. It will feature sustainable practices used to build and maintain the Public Garden, showcasing the County’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Public Garden will serve as gathering place for all to deepen their connections to nature, thereby improving their physical and mental well-being. It will be a place of cultivated beauty that mixes a variety of landscape design styles within formal and natural settings to create rich and diverse ways to interact with plants.
We also anticipate the Public Garden will serve as a hub for lifelong learning so the community can connect to plants and to each other through engaging classes, camps and garden events.
The Focus Group’s recommendation towards the garden’s preliminary concept plan is due to the County Executive and the Department of Recreation & Parks by December 1, 2024.
Media
Press Release: Howard County Executive Ball Releases Focus Group Recommendations for County’s First-Ever Public Garden: January 2025
Press Release: Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Unveils Location of First-Ever Public Garden: April 2024
A Report by the Howard County Public Garden Focus Group
Members
The following individuals were selected to serve and consist of experts and resident volunteers who will assist in the planning process surrounding the Public Garden. All member terms expire December 1, 2024.
- Meg Boyd
- Bonnie Bricker
- Chiara D’Amore
- Janssen Evelyn
- Greg Garin
- Peggy Hannon
- Deeba Jafri
- Richard Jones
- Lisa Marini
- Christine McComas
- Liz O’Brien
- Stephanie Oberle
- Gregg Petersen
- Jay Polaki
- Lauren Turner
Department Staff
- Nick Mooneyhan, Director, Recreation & Parks
- Kimberly Pruim, Superintendent, Special Projects, Recreation & Parks, and Administrator to the Focus Group
- Scott Munroe, Park Planner, Landscape Architect & Project Manager, Recreation & Parks
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
2024 Meetings
| Date | Agenda | Minutes | Recordings |
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| 5/22/2024 |
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| 6/5/2024 |
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June 5, 2024 Meeting |
| 6/20/2024 |
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June 20, 2024 Meeting | |
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7/17/2024 Open for |
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At this meeting, you could sign up to speak at the meeting, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on July 17 or online. If unable to attend the meeting, you were able to provide online testimony through July 19 at 6:00 p.m. |
| 8/21/2024 |
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August 21 Meeting Recording |
| 9/12/2024 |
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September 11 Meeting Recording |
| 9/25/2024 |
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September 25 Meeting Recording |
| 10/10/2024 |
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October 10 Meeting Recording |
| 10/23/2024 |
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October 23 Meeting Recording |
Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks invites the public to a Public Meeting on July 29, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center in multipurpose rooms 2 and 3 (located at 2400 MD 97, Cooksville, MD 21723). There will be a presentation by the consulting team of Micheal Graves and EDSA, Inc. on the concept for the public gardens at the property that sits at the intersection of Route 97 (Roxbury Mills Road) and Burntwood’s Road. After a presentation, the public is welcome to share their ideas and ask questions.
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Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks invites the public to a Public Meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Howard County Recreation & Parks Headquarters, Conference Rooms 1 & 2 (7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia). There will be a presentation by the consulting team of Micheal Graves and EDSA, Inc. on the concept for the public gardens at the property that sits at the intersection of Route 97 (Roxbury Mills Road) and Burntwood’s Road. After a presentation, the public is welcome to share their ideas and ask questions.
DOCUMENTS POSTED FOLLOWING ABOVE MEETING
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HoCo Public Garden_Concept Plan_12-4-25.pdf
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