North Laurel Community Center

Howard County Recreation and Parks Rules of Conduct

1. No food or beverages in unauthorized areas; glass containers are prohibited. 
2. No smoking in buildings or on school property. 
3. No soliciting or loitering. 
4. No interference with employee or volunteer duties. 
5. No harassment or inappropriate or indecent conduct or language. 
6. No unauthorized use of illegal drugs, intoxicants or weapons. 
7. No parking in unauthorized areas or driving/parking on field areas.
8. No unauthorized alteration or installation of equipment.
9. No defacing of property.
10. No conduct that may jeopardize the safety of others.

Building Rules

1. Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
2. Shoes and shirts must be worn always outside of the locker room areas.
3. Customers are encouraged to secure their belongings.  Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
4. Pets are not permitted in the center (service animals a permitted).
5. No running or disruptive behavior in center hallways is prohibited.
6. The actions and conduct of an organized group are the responsibility of the group leader.
7. No food or beverages in unauthorized areas; glass containers are prohibited.
8. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the center without required permit.
9. Participants must adhere to Department of Recreation & Parks Rules of Conduct and behave in an orderly manner.

Fitness Room

1. Must be ages 16 and up to utilize the fitness room. Teens ages 13-15 may use the fitness room, with adult supervision, after completing the Teen Weight Training Program.
2. No changing or leaving articles of clothing in the fitness room. Lockers are available.
3. Strollers, baby carriers and children are not permitted to wait inside the fitness center while a parent/guardian is exercising.
4. Rubber-soled athletic shoes that cover the entire foot must be worn at all times. For health and safety reasons, sandals, spiked shoes, work boots and flip-flops are not permitted.
5. Proper fitness attire is required. Shirts must be worn at all times. Bathing suits and clothing with exposed metal rivets or parts are not permitted in the fitness room.
6. Food is not permitted in the fitness room. Closed plastic beverage containers are allowed.
7. Patrons are responsible for wiping down equipment after use and returning weights to the racks provided.
8. Cardiovascular equipment use is limited to 30 minutes when people are waiting.
9. Use of a spotter when lifting free weights is recommended. Do not drop or bang weights.
10. No unauthorized personal trainers, instructors, coaches or physical therapists are allowed to use the fitness room to train or instruct clients or customers.

Gymnasium

1. Only non-marking athletic shoes are permitted. 
2. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
3. Food, gum and radios are prohibited. Only beverages with caps or lids are permitted.
4. Spitting and profanity are prohibited.
5. Dunking and hanging on the basketball rims will not be permitted. 
6. No person shall engage in conduct infringing upon the rights of other participants.
7. The gym shall not be used for any activity other than its intended purpose, unless approved by Center staff.
8. No unauthorized instructional or organized activity is permitted during Open Gym.
9. Games may be shortened at Center staff’s discretion.
10. Participants must adhere to Department of Recreation & Parks Rules of Conduct and behave in an orderly manner.

In the event of inclement weather, the center will adhere to the following policy: 

If Howard County schools experience a one-hour delay, the Center will strive to open at 9:30am. 
If Howard County schools experience a two-hour delay, the Center will strive to open at 10:30am. 
If Howard County schools are closed, the Center will strive to open at 10:30am. 

Please call the Information Status Line at 410-313-4452 (option 5) for the current operating status, center updates, drop-in times or inclement weather updates.

Winter Weather: If Howard County schools open one hour late, the center will strive to open at 9:30am; if two hours late, at 10:30am.
If schools are closed due to inclement weather, every attempt will be made to open the center by 10:30am. If the Snow Emergency is in effect, the Center will be closed. Once it has been lifted the center will strive to open as soon as possible. Please call the inclement weather number listed above to confirm the center's status when schools are closed.

Inclement Weather Policy for Rentals: If the North Laurel Community Center closes due to inclement weather (i.e. snow, ice), you will be completely refunded or we will make every effort to reschedule your event. However, if the North Laurel Community Center is open, but you decide not to show for your scheduled event it will be treated as a rental cancellation and we will retain the rental fee and security deposit.

Center Memberships (for all ages)
The Center Membership gives you access to three community centers including North Laurel, Gary J. Arthur, and Roger Carter Community Center. These memberships provide patrons access to the gymnasium and walking track only. 

*Must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old at all times; exceptions made during Teen Zone.

Fit4U Memberships (for 3-49 yrs)

• The Fit4U package allows you to use our three community centers' fitness facilities PLUS both the Roger Carter Community Center and the North Laurel Community Center pools.
• Center membership and amenities included.
• No enrollment fees!

*Permitted use of pool, gymnasium and walking track. Must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old at all times; exceptions made during Teen Zone. Adults must have a valid membership or pay the daily drop-in rate.

**Members that are 13-15 yearsold must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old and must first complete a mandatory orientation for fitness room use; supervision exceptions made during Teen Zone.

Go50+ Memberships (for ages 50+)
The Go50+ membership packages are designed to enhance the quality of life for the 50+ adult population that lives, works and plays in Howard County. Howard County Recreation & Parks and Office on Aging have partnered together to provide packages that are designed to give individuals access to meet their health and wellness needs.  

*Access to game rooms, gymnasiums, walking tracks, and wellness programs at Gary J. Arthur and N. Laurel Community Centers and all Howard County 50+ Centers.
**Access to all 50+ Center package benefits and fitness and dance/aerobics rooms at all three community centers and 50+ centers.
***Access to all 50+ Center and Fitness package benefits and access to the Roger Carter pool during open swim hours.

Note: All prices subject to change.

Rentals

410-313-0457

North Laurel Community Center offers room rentals, party packages and a pavilion option. Rental areas can be used for parties, special events, business meetings, and other activities.

Submit your request form online HERE.

These are subject to change. Please call the community center’s front desk at 410-313-0390 to confirm drop-in dates, times & prices. Membership or daily drop-in fee required for all activities.

The North Laurel Community Center & Park's playgrounds will close starting on July 22, 2024, due to the construction of the pool. (Other amenities will remain open, including but not limited to the Community Center, Skate Park, Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, Pavilion, etc.)

A new playground will be built between the pool and the parking lot. We hope to have the new playground built and open by the end of summer 2026.

To find another park to enjoy, please visit Parks, Playgrounds & Trails | Howard County (howardcountymd.gov.

March 1-31

A membership or daily drop-in fee is required for all activities
All times and availability are subject to change
Call the status line for the most up to date availability 410-313-0390

Upcoming closures/no availability dates and times

• No Drop-in activities on March 5, 20, 30, or 31

Gym will be closed for cleaning, Tuesdays: 8-10am and Thursdays 7-9am

The Fitness Room will be closed 11am-12:15pm on Mondays & Wednesdays.

No drop-in basketball March 5, 20, 30, or 31

No drop-in pickleball on March 20 or 30

Age Restrictions

• To enter the pool alone, children must be at least 16 years old and pass the swimming test.
• A person who is at least 18 years old must accompany a child who has not met the above requirements.
• Children who do not pass the swimming test must remain in the roped shallow area of the pool.
• Children under 10 must always have a parent on the interior pool deck.
• Children under 5 who have not completed the swim test must always have a parent within arm’s reach.

Swim Attire

• Proper swim attire must be worn.
• Non-traditional, modest swimwear must be made out of bathing suit material (lycra, nylon, spandex or polyester).
• No natural fiber materials may be worn in the pool.

Diapers

• No cloth or regular diapers.
• Children who are not toilet trained must wear swim diapers or rubber pants with elastic around the waist and legs along with proper swim wear.

Flotation Devices & Lifejackets Use

• Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted.
• Children wearing Coast Guard approved flotation devices must always be within arm’s reach of a parent/guardian while in pool.
• For training purposes, other flotation devices (ex: kickboard, pull buoy) are allowed at the discretion of the manager on duty.

Lap Lane

• At least one lap lane is made available during public swim.
• The lap lane is only for continuous lap swimming and testing.
• No diving, crossing through or standing in lap lanes.

Toys

• Small toys are permitted at the discretion of the manager on duty.
• All toys over 12”, water squirting toys and hard balls are prohibited.

For Your Safety

• Doors may only be opened or closed by staff.
• A safety break may be called every hour on the hour for a period of 10 minutes at the discretion of the manager on duty.
• All patrons under the age of 18 must exit the pool during the safety break.
• All chairs must be kept from the edge of the pool. Chaise lounges must remain on the outside sun deck.
• No food on the pool deck.
• Chewing gum is not allowed on the pool deck or in the pool.
• No glass on the pool deck at any time.
• No alcohol, smoking or vaping.
• No running on pool deck, locker rooms, diving board, or beach entry.
• No horseplay (ex: dunking, throwing, pushing, grabbing, splashing, or carrying people on shoulders).
• No foul language. Verbal or physical confrontations may result in termination of day pass or membership.
• No climbing on or swimming under the railings.
• No climbing or walking on the divider walls in the pool.

Locker Room Rules

• Patrons must use the locker room of their gender.
• Use of mobile phones, electronic devices and cameras are strictly prohibited in the locker rooms.

Spiral Slide Rules 

• Swimmers must be at least 48 inches tall without shoes to use the yellow water slide
• Only one person is allowed on the slide at a time. No life jackets are allowed.
• Swimmers must ride feet first on their backs. No head-first or face-down riding positions are permitted.
• No stopping, turning, standing, kneeling, or rotating.
• Swimmers must exit the catch pool area immediately.
• Swimmers are not permitted in the catch pool area while the slide is in operation.

Dolphin Slide Rules 

• Persons must be less than 48 inches tall to use the slide.
• Swimmers must ride feet first on their backs. No head-first or face-down riding positions are permitted.

Pool will be open from 11:00am-3:00pm, Monday-Sunday.

Wristbands for a day of swim can be purchased for $7 per day.

Call ahead for large slide availability.

Facility Features

• Two pools
• Zero slope entry in the lap pool    
• Slide for preschoolers
• Large slide for those 48 inches and taller (call before coming to see if open)
• ADA accessible with remote control chair lift and pool wheelchair
• Eight 25-yard lap lanes