2027 Preserve + Play Plan
Howard County’s Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan (LPPRP)
The Department of Recreation and Parks is developing Howard County’s next Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP): a five-year plan to guide management and stewardship of public lands, facilities, programs, and experiences.
The plan evaluates baseline information about existing conditions, key issues, and trends to inform goals, strategies, and investment priorities for open space, recreation facilities, resource conservation, and agricultural preservation. This will also be an opportunity for you to learn more about the system and share feedback on its future.
Get Involved!
Join the Virtual Open House on Wednesday, July 22, 6-7:30pm to learn more about the Preserve + Play Plan and have your say on the future of Howard County's Recreation and Parks:
LOGIN: https://howardcountymd.webex.com/howardcountymd/j.php?MTID=m6d28573a80d83fb238d2bd7053ee141d
Meeting number (access code): 2304 789 2313 Meeting password: HCRP To call in by phone, dial: 1-650-479-3207
Open House
Help shape your parks, facilities, and programs offered by Howard County Recreation and Parks. The Preserve + Play Plan is a five-year roadmap for managing and investing in public lands, facilities, open space, and recreation programs across Howard County. Drop in to learn more and share your vision.
We’ll kick things off with a pop-up event at Roger Carter Community Center from 4-6pm on Tuesday, July 7. Otherwise, join us for our first public open house on Wednesday, July 8 from 4-7pm at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center (8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia) to discuss the county’s upcoming 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan.
Can’t make it in person? Join us virtually from 6-7:30pm on Wednesday, July 22:
https://howardcountymd.webex.com/howardcountymd/j.php?MTID=m6d28573a80d83fb238d2bd7053ee141d
Meeting number (access code): 2304 789 2313 Meeting password: HCRP To call in by phone, dial: 1-650-479-3207
Survey
Gathering community input is an important step in producing a plan that reflects the community’s experiences today and priorities for the future. Public engagement will take place from April through October 2026. There are a few ways to get involved:
- Take the short survey: Share how you use County parks, facilities, and programs today and what you'd like to see in the future.
- Visit this page for updates: Stay informed about upcoming events and plan development
- Attend a community event or pop-up: Meet the planning team, ask questions, or share your ideas in person. Upcoming events include:
- Pop-up at Roger Carter Community Center, July 7 4-6pm
- In-person Open House on July 8, 4-7pm (Harriet Tubman Cultural Center)
- Virtual Open House on July 22, 6-7.30pm (Link to come)
Check back in for more events soon!
Learn More:
The LPPRP is a prerequisite for Howard County’s participation in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Program Open Space, which provides grants for the acquisition of land for conservation and public use purposes as well as for the development of public recreation facilities.
To review the last LPPRP (2022) or learn more about Maryland's Program Open Space, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website: https://dnr.maryland.gov/land/Pages/Stewardship/Local_LPPRPs.aspx.