A Howard County parks survey is likely to verify officials? hunches on what facilities need improvement, but the data may mean stronger justification for funding the upgrades.
“I think we are looking for some confirmation and maybe some validation,” said John Byrd, chief of the Bureau of Parks and Program Services.
“A lot of it is simply ?How are we doing?? ” he said.
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks survey, available at libraries, parks and online, asks residents to rate facilities? conditions and offer suggestions for improvements.
Perhaps two of the greatest demands are for more restrooms and garbage cans, Byrd said. While the department has made piecemeal upgrades to certain parks, officials have never taken a broad system-wide view of the parks, he said.
Oakland Mills Village manager Sandy Cederbaum said she hasn?t heard specific complaints about area parks, but she is looking forward to the development of the 300-acre Blandair property.
Blandair, located in Columbia near the intersection of Routes 29 and 175, was bought by the county in 1997 after the death of owner Elizabeth Smith.
After years of legal battles, the county is making plans on how to preserve and restore this land, much of which will be a park.
“We are anxious for funding and for plans to look at that area, and that is to be done in the next few years,” Cederbaum said.
Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2, echoed Cederbaum?s interest in the new land, and said the survey would give county officials a better idea of how to improve current parks and plans for future land use.
“The data will help us focus our resources more efficiently and effectively to maximize the impact our parks have on the community,” he said.
The survey, started last month, does not have a deadline but will run at least through the fall.
