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 November 1, 2024.

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

Title

2024 Meetings

Content
Date Agenda Minutes Recordings
5/22/2024

May 22, 2024 Meeting

6/5/2024 June 5, 2024 Meeting
6/20/2024   June 20, 2024 Meeting

7/17/2024

Open for
Public
Comments

July 17, 2024 Meeting

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  
9/12/2024    
9/25/2024    
10/10/2024    
10/23/2024    

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