Public Meeting on Public Gardens
Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks invites the public to a Public Meeting on Wednesday, 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.
Howard County aims to create a premier public garden destination featuring beneficial flowering native and non-native plant species for visitors to develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for the value of plants to sustain human life and a healthy environment. A focus group consisting of experts and resident volunteers met multiple times in 2024 and presented recommendations towards the garden’s preliminary concept plan that can be read online at www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/public-garden-focus-group.
Beginning Thursday, November 13, citizens can sign-up online to speak at the meeting by visiting https://www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions/recreation-parks-advisory-board and clicking on “Public Comment.” Attendees will be allowed to speak for up to three minutes per person.
Those who do not wish to sign up online, will still be able to sign up in person at the meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. on December 4.
Beginning Thursday, November 13 and ending December 5 at 3:00pm citizens will have the option to provide online comments by visiting https://www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions/recreation-parks-advisory-board and clicking on “Public Comment.” Citizens are reminded that internet testimony is considered public information and is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.
Information about the public gardens project (including future meetings and notes from this public meeting) will be posted at www.howardcountymd.gov/recreation-parks/public-garden.
An interpreter for any person who is hearing impaired will be at the meeting. For other accommodations, contact Susan Potts at 410-313-4628 (voice/relay) or spotts@howardcountymd.gov at least seven working days prior to the meeting.
To attend/watch virtually: https://howardcountymd.webex.com/howardcountymd/j.php?MTID=m577af21ef553b6a165c70f68f31063f5
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