The Howard County Recreation and Parks Department has planned an ambitious lineup of fall programs for you and your family to enjoy. I hope you will take special note of our heart healthy programs, indicated by a “heart” symbol next to the title. When you participate in programs like Flat Water Canoe Paddling Basics, Recreational Sports, Body Conditioning or a variety of other Step Up to Health Programs, you will not only enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle, you will also receive discounts on future recreation programs.

We have an important meeting coming up that I would like to invite you to attend. On September 11 at 7 p.m. we will meet at Oakland Mills High School to present the final draft of the master plan for Blandair Regional Park. This will be your opportunity to learn more about the plan and offer comments and suggestions.

Final designs for the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, which will include the County’s first nature center, are now being drafted. Also, the county’s second community center, located in North Laurel next to Laurel Woods Elementary School, is now in the design phase. Public meetings for both of these projects will be scheduled in the future, and we will keep you informed.
Finally, for those of you who are interested in viewing survey results from our deer management program, now in its 11th year of operation, they are available on our website: www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP.

Our staff works hard to offer programs, classes and activities to meet your recreation and leisure needs – nearly 2,000 options offered in this brochure alone. Many of the programs listed on the pages that follow are the result of feedback we get from you, so keep sending your comments and suggestions. Have a wonderful fall!
Gary J. Arthur, Director