Local news covering the North Laurel and Scaggsville areas
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks News
North Laurel Community Pool: The groundbreaking for the long-awaited, indoor community pool at the North Laurel Community Center took place on June 18, following the Howard County Council’s unanimous approval in May of the county executive’s Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget. The budget included full funding for the construction of a 25-yard main pool with eight lap lanes and ADA access, as well as a second, warm-water leisure pool.
Since 2005, Howard County has planned to construct a public community pool at this site. This project is identified in Howard County’s 2005, 2012, 2017, and 2022 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plans, and is supported by many community organizations. However, due to budgetary constraints, funding for the pool was consistently pushed back until now, according to Howard County Councilwoman Christiana Rigby’s May newsletter.
Badminton, Anyone? The Department of Recreation & Parks has six brand-new badminton net systems ready for use. Bring your racket and a friend and visit the North Laurel Community Center to play a game. Learn more at www.howardcountymd.gov/nlcc.
Celebrate Recreation and Parks Month in July. There will be activities throughout the month of July around the county, including Art in the Park with Pinot’s Palette at NLCC, Thursday July 25, from 6–8 PM. For more information visit: www.howardcountymd.gov/rec-pks-month.
Earth Day Clean-up a Success
The Upcycled team held an Earth Day Clean-Up of the Savage Mill Trail, along the Little Patuxent River and the area by the Old Mill, in Historic Savage on April 21. Thirty volunteers joined the effort, including a group from CyberCare Technologies in Elkridge.
The volunteers picked up 375 pounds of waste and debris in two hours on the trail, according to Upcycled’s Instagram account.
Curbside Food Scrap Collection Program Expands to Emerson, Savage area
Starting in late April, an additional 4,200 households in Emerson and Savage became eligible to join their neighbors in the Feed the Green Bin food scrap collection program. Online sign-ups for these areas are now open. The county accepts items for recycling that go beyond the traditional fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds. Greasy cardboard pizza boxes, meat, fish, shellfish (including bones) can also be tossed into the green bin. The county’s website has information about what is acceptable and what is not. For more information about the program and to sign up to participate, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/bureau-environmental-services/feed-green-bin.
New Bookstore Opens with a Charitable Cause
The Books for Life bookstore held a grand opening on May 27. A curated used bookstore, Books for Life donates a portion of its proceeds to children’s charities and “rehomes” books that were destined for landfills; Books For Life claims to have rehomed over 1 million books to date. The store accepts book donations, with many children’s books being given in turn to a children’s literacy program called Booksmiles. More information on the store and its mission, as well as online shopping opportunities, can be found at booksforlife.store. It is located at 9125A Bursa Road in Laurel. Business hours are Monday–Friday, 10 AM–6 PM, and Saturday 10 AM–7 PM.
Farm Fresh Food for You!
The Savage Farmer’s Market is held every Wednesday from 3:30 to 7:30 PM from May 9–August 28 at Baldwin Common.
Also, the new Roving Radish mobile market provides healthy meal kits of locally produced food from Maryland farms directly to our communities. This Howard County Government program is dedicated to promoting healthy farm-to-table eating habits in our community, while creating sustainable markets for local and regional farms. The meal kits are available to all Howard County residents and are offered at a discounted price to those in need. The Roving Radish Mobile Marketplace will be at Laurel Woods Elementary School (9250 N. Laurel Woods Rd.) on Wednesdays from 5–7 PM.
Angie Latham Kozlowski is a staff writer and member of the Board of Directors for the Laurel History Boys. In addition to her investigative reporting, her articles frequently spotlight Howard County.
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