Howard County Recreation and Parks

Howard County Recreation and Parks This is the official page for Howard County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks M-F)
Fax: 410-313-4660
TTY: 410-313-4665 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

How to Register for Programs:
Online: www.howardcountymd.gov/RAP
Phone: 410-313-7275 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F)

Walk-in:
Howard County Recreation & Parks Headquarters: 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F)
Gary J Arthur Community Center: 2400 Rte. 97, Cooksville, MD
Harriet Tubman Cultural Center: 8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD
North Laurel Community Center: 9411

Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD
Robinson Nature Center: 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD
Roger Carter Community Center: 3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City, MD

Include payment with your registration form - make checks or money orders payable to the Howard County Director of Finance. We accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit cards. Please sign the waiver on your receipt and bring it to the first session.

There are still openings available for the Lil' Sprouts classes for 3-year-olds at Robinson Nature Center! These excitin...
08/21/2026

There are still openings available for the Lil' Sprouts classes for 3-year-olds at Robinson Nature Center! These exciting drop-off programs (beginning Sept. 9 or 11) allow your 3-year-old to take their first steps into independent learning and play at the Nature Center. Participants hone early learning skills through emergent learning and exploration, cooperative play, short hikes and story time.

We have Wednesday and Friday class options or sign up for both for double to fun! Follow the links to learn more and sign up!
https://tinyurl.com/SproutsWed
https://tinyurl.com/SproutsFri

Join Robinson Nature Center staff from 2-4PM on August 29 for a fun, hands-on workshop focused on nature’s food and medi...
08/18/2026

Join Robinson Nature Center staff from 2-4PM on August 29 for a fun, hands-on workshop focused on nature’s food and medicine. Enjoy an hour-long hike along Robinson trails identifying and learning about deliciously important plant species. Learn how these species impact the environment and how they have helped us throughout history. Then, create a tasty treat to sample. Register today:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search/detail/163716?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

♟️Do you enjoy tabletop games? Join the Capitoline Gaming Community (FREE) on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month fro...
08/18/2026

♟️Do you enjoy tabletop games? Join the Capitoline Gaming Community (FREE) on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 11am-3pm. Bring your favorite game to share and be prepared to teach others. This group is just beginning, so tell others and bring a friend!

📍Location: Capitoline Center, 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City

🅿️Parking: 3699 Court House Drive, Ellicott City (walk down the hill to our building)

📞Contact: Linda Boies, [email protected] or 410-313-4028

We want to thank everyone who voted Centennial Park in Ellicott City among the Baltimore Sun's Best Parks! From our conc...
08/17/2026

We want to thank everyone who voted Centennial Park in Ellicott City among the Baltimore Sun's Best Parks! From our concerts to camps, ball fields to basketball courts, and kayaking to fishing, it's the perfect place to spend some time outdoors! Learn more about Centennial Park and its amenities at www.howardcountymd.gov/parks-playgrounds-trails

Details on the Baltimore Sun awards: www.baltimoresun.com/tag/baltimores-best

08/14/2026

Join us for our FREE "Back to School Night" event at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center on Friday, Aug. 21 from 6-9PM. Registration is encouraged, but not required. For more information, visit our website at www.howardcountymd.gov/htcc or call 410-313-0860.

SAVE THE DATE! Help us celebrate Active Aging (50+) Week with free activities geared toward keeping your mind and body a...
08/14/2026

SAVE THE DATE! Help us celebrate Active Aging (50+) Week with free activities geared toward keeping your mind and body active! Enjoy mini fitness sessions, quick art projects, and giveaways. You’ll also have a chance to try your hand at bocce and archery. Join us from 11am-2pm on Tuesday, October 6 at Blandair Regional Park North (near the croquet lawn). Preregistration is not required but is recommended for event updates.
Info: www.howardcountymd.gov/encoreshowcase

CALLING ALL MUSIC LOVERS! Come join us at the new Capitoline Center (the old Ellicott City Courthouse) from 11am-3pm on ...
08/13/2026

CALLING ALL MUSIC LOVERS! Come join us at the new Capitoline Center (the old Ellicott City Courthouse) from 11am-3pm on August 29 as we celebrate International Play Music on the Porch Day. We have space in the front and back of the building. Bring your own chairs, instrument(s), a few songs to lead or share, and your enthusiasm! Come out for a wonderful time making the world beautiful one note at a time. Questions? Contact Linda Boies at 410-313-4028.

Ready to have fun, stay active, and meet new friends? Our 50+ Dance Programs have something for everyone: Broadway hits,...
08/12/2026

Ready to have fun, stay active, and meet new friends? Our 50+ Dance Programs have something for everyone: Broadway hits, ballet, jazz, soul line dancing, Latin dance, and more! Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or returning to a lifelong passion, we want you to join us! No partner? No problem! Come laugh, move, and discover the joy of dance in a welcoming, supportive environment.
👉Registration is now open, so don't wait to reserve your spot! https://tinyurl.com/HCRP-ActiveDancing

Journey back to the era of Shakespeare – with a twist! Join us at 7:30PM this Friday, August 14 at Rockburn Branch Park ...
08/12/2026

Journey back to the era of Shakespeare – with a twist! Join us at 7:30PM this Friday, August 14 at Rockburn Branch Park (West) for Shakespeare Beyond, a FREE community touring program presented by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.

This summer's production features a fresh take on Romeo and Juliet, reimagined during the Revolutionary War and set in Baltimore. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of professional outdoor theater in the park. This free performance is perfect for audiences of all ages.

Learn more about Shakespeare Beyond: https://www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com/beyond/

Kona Ice available for purchase!

🌳Attention Howard County residents: This is a reminder to mark your calendars and set your alarms for our annual tree gi...
08/11/2026

🌳Attention Howard County residents: This is a reminder to mark your calendars and set your alarms for our annual tree giveaway!
📅On August 25, you will be able to sign up for your tree(s). We will release the trees in three batches with 1/3 of each species being released at each time.
⏰Times will be 10AM, 2PM, and 7PM. This will help to reduce traffic to the website and hopefully keep our website functioning as thousands of people try to place their order at the same time.
🔗The link to reserve your tree will be located on our Forestry page at www.howardcountymd.gov/forestry under the Annual Tree Giveaway drop-down.

👉Here are a few helpful tips for successfully placing your order:
* If the link is not working for you, refresh your page and try again. The link will not be live until exactly 10AM on August 25, 2026. If you are on the page prior to that time, you must refresh your page for the link to appear.
* When selecting your tree, if your preference does not appear in the drop-down list, there is no longer any inventory for that species, so be ready with your second and third choices.
* When selecting your pick up date, if your choice does not appear on the drop-down list, that date is full and you must select a different pickup location and/or date.

Address

7120 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD
21046

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Website

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