ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today joined Governor Wes Moore, the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks Director Nick Mooneyhan, and fellow elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of the highly anticipated Phase 6 improvements at Blandair Regional Park – West in Columbia. The completed project features a lighted skatepark, six lighted pickleball courts, two lighted basketball courts, 122 parking spaces, and new walkways. Photos from the event can be found on Howard County Government’s Flickr website and video on the County Executive’s Facebook webpage.
One of our county’s premier recreational destinations, Blandair Regional Park sees more than a million visitors annually who come to play, compete, exercise, and connect with one another. From international tournaments and local league practices to children running around on the playground and families enjoying an afternoon together, this park truly belongs to everyone. My administration’s investment into continuing the development of Blandair is a reflection of our comprehensive commitment to enhancing the quality of life of our community members by creating spaces where families can gather, children can thrive, and communities can grow stronger together.
On this beautiful day, I am honored to cut the ribbon on phase Six of Blandair Regional Park. I’m proud the investments we’ve made into this park has helped to create a vibrant and accessible space for all Marylanders to enjoy, and together, we’ll continue delivering for Howard County.
The new 15,000-square-foot lighted skatepark at Blandair features a modern concrete design that complements the site’s natural topography and accommodates a variety of wheeled sports, riding styles, terrain preferences, and skill levels. The skatepark at Blandair is the fourth public skate facility operated by Recreation & Parks, with facilities also at Centennial Park – North in Ellicott City, North Laurel Park in Laurel, and South Branch Park in Sykesville.
“Nestled in the heart of District 2, Blandair Regional Park is nicknamed ‘the playground for all,’ that offers inclusive fields for residents and outdoor enthusiasts. This one-of-a-kind regional park was purchased in 1998, and nearly three decades later, I am amazed at the ever-evolving designs created to assist with the needs of our communities,” said Opel Jones, Howard County Council Chairperson. “Today, we celebrate Phase 6, offering a lighted skatepark, lighted pickleball courts, lighted basketball courts, and paved walkways. This amazing amenity provides a renewed and refreshing outlet for students, residents, and our aging in place communities. Blandair Regional Park is another example of why we are proud to be Howard Countians and why Columbia continues to be one of the top-rated places to live in the country.”
“Today’s newest amenities strengthen our commitment to the community by expanding the variety of sports and recreational opportunities available at Blandair,” said Mooneyhan. “In addition to our multipurpose and baseball fields, skills course, tennis courts, bocce and croquet courts, horseshoe pits, ping pong tables, and playgrounds, visitors can now enjoy dedicated pickleball and basketball courts, along with a competition-level skatepark. We are creating even more opportunities for residents to stay active, and we are not done yet. I look forward to the next phase, which will include the restoration of historic structures within the park.”
The six lighted pickleball courts reflect the County’s continued support toward one of our nation’s fastest-growing sports and bring the total number of County owned dedicated outdoor pickleball courts to 22. In addition to the new courts at Blandair, picklers can also find six lighted pickleball courts at Rockburn Branch Park – West in Elkridge, eight lighted pickleball courts at Western Regional Park in Woodbine, and two pickleball courts at Atholton Park in Columbia. The number is expected to increase to 28 with the addition of six new courts currently under construction at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville.
“Our more than 1,200-person organization is thrilled to see the addition of six new dedicated courts in Howard County,” said Troy Osten, President, Howard County Pickleball Association. “We value our partnership with Howard County, and specifically the Department of Recreation & Parks, and want to express our appreciation for your commitment in continuing to build pickleball courts throughout the county, including the new courts at Rockburn Branch and Western Regional Parks, as well as the future courts at Alpha Ridge Park.”
Moreover, the two new lighted basketball courts were constructed in response to community demand for accessible courts where residents of all ages can play close to home and during evening hours. Additionally, the 122 new parking spaces and new pedestrian walkways between activity areas further support Blandair’s growing popularity as a destination for major athletic events.
“This day could not have come soon enough: Howard County residents finally have a brand new skatepark to call home,” said Jeremy Bergolios, Community Member. “I’m looking forward to having a space where all those who scoot, skate, or roll can send it together.”
During today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ball also honored the late Frank S. Turner for his long-standing support of the park’s development. Delegate Turner, who passed away on February 14, 2025, made history in 1994 as the first African American elected to represent Howard County in the Maryland General Assembly. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1995 to 2019 and represented District 13, which includes Columbia.
Delegate Turner was an instrumental advocate for Blandair, securing $3.3 million in Program Open Space grants and $1.5 million in state bond bills to help acquire the land and initiate the park's first playing fields. In November 2014, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman honored the trailblazing politician for his leadership, service to the General Assembly, and his tireless efforts to secure funding for Blandair’s construction by naming the three lighted synthetic turf multipurpose fields in park’s West area, “Delegate Frank S. Turner Fields.”
“The completion of Phase 6, especially the new basketball courts where my father would have loved to utilize his left-handed jump shot in his younger days, offers our community more opportunities for health and active living across Howard County. This new park area continues Delegate Frank Turner’s long-standing vision for Blandair Park as a premier sports and recreation destination for all,” said Frank S. Turner II.
About Blandair Regional Park
In 1998, Howard County Government purchased the 300-acre historic Blandair estate from the Smith family heirs for $10.7 million, with assistance from the State Department of Natural Resources’ “Program Open Space.” Three years later, a Blandair Planning Committee comprised of 23 residents was appointed to advise the County on the direction it should take in developing the park. After a year and a half of deliberation, the committee determined that the area north of MD 175 should feature historical interpretation, preserve natural areas, and provide predominately passive recreation and nature education. Whereas the area south of MD 175 would offer more active recreation facilities, while also preserving natural areas.
Initial construction of Blandair began in 2010, with the park's first amenities, including three lighted synthetic turf multipurpose fields, a press box, bleachers, a playground, and parking lot, officially opening in March 2012. During Phases II and III, the County expanded the park's offerings, bringing in a fully fence, one-acre inclusive playgrounds for all ages and additional state-of-the-art sports facilities.
The park's area north of MD 175 will focus more on passive activities through historic preservation, gardens, open areas, and woodlands. The County has worked to stabilize and restore the 1800s Blandair Mansion, which will become the historical centerpiece of the future 300-acre park. Recreation & Parks contracted with the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Training Center to provide architectural and construction services in accordance with stringent federal and state preservation guidelines to restore the Blandair Mansion. Archeological investigations have also been conducted throughout the property. Additionally, the County has begun work on the interior and exterior rehabilitation of the enslaved quarters at Blandair to preserve sites of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland.
In addition to Blandair Regional Park – West area’s newest amenities, today, the park also features:
- Three lighted synthetic turf multipurpose fields with press boxes and bleachers;
- Two playgrounds, including Laura’s Place Playground, an inclusive, ADA-compliant “play-for-all” playground;
- Two lighted synthetic baseball fields with bleachers;
- Five lighted tennis courts;
- A challenge course with synthetic turf and timers, for ages 13 years and up;
- A central plaza with stone seating walls surrounding raised landscape beds;
- The Green, a 10,000-square foot synthetic lawn area
- Backyard games area with three bocce courts, two croquet courts, and two horseshoe pitches;
- Pavilions;
- Restrooms; the North area restrooms feature an adult changing table;
- Park maintenance building with offices and storage; and
- Numerous parking areas
Following the completion of Phase 6, Recreation & Parks has at least three more phases planned for the area of the park located on the north side of MD 175. Once complete, the park will encompass 300-acres in total.
To learn more about Blandair Regional Park, visit Recreation & Parks’ “Parks, Playgrounds & Trails” website.