Carroll County offers many leisure opportunities with its total of more than 1,400 acres in its 14 parks.
That does not include the undeveloped areas of Gillis Falls Reservoir. Piney Run Park, at 30 Martz Road in Eldersburg, is the largest county park.
It covers 833 acres, with a 300-acre lake. Along with boating, fishing, winter activities, hiking and picnicking facilities, the park has a Nature Center where programs are scheduled for school and youthgroups.
The park season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, while the Nature Center operates year-round. Fees are based on park usage:
* Daily entrance fee: In-country vehicles, $3; out-of-county vehicles, $4.
* Daily fee for boats brought onto park property: $2.
* Season passes: in-county vehicles, $15, in-county boats, $20; out-of-county vehicles, $20, out-of-county boats, $20.
* Boat rental fees: Canoes, rowboats, $4 per hour; pedal boats, $4 per half-hour; $10 refundable deposit required. (All renters must be 16 years or older and leave a driver's license as security.
* Pontoon boat rides: Adults,$1; children 12 and younger and adults 62 and older, 50 cents. Note:rides scheduled on the hour on weekend afternoons, weather permitting, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
* Nature Center membership: family, $10, individuals, $7, senior citizens and full-time students, $5. (Membership to the Nature Center does not include fees into park).
Park hours during the season are 9 a.m. to sunset on weekdays and 6 a.m. to sunset on weekends and holidays. Park pavilions must be reserved. Information: 795-3274.
OTHER COUNTY PARKS
Hours at all parks are from dawn to dusk.
Pavilions in any of the county parks mustbe reserved.
Fees are $30 for county residents and $40 for non-county residents; $25 cleanup deposit. The department also sells discount tickets to theme parks throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Information: 857-2103.
* Bennett Cerf Park, 544 Manchester Road, Westminster.
* Carroll County Sports Complex, 2225 Littlestown Pike, northof Westminster.
* Deer Park, 637 Deer Park Road, Finksburg
* Landon C. Burns, 700 Gist Road, Westminster.
* Mayeski Park, behind130 W. Old Liberty Road (South Carroll High School), Winfield.
* North Carroll Community Pond, Hanover Pike near Greenmount (Hampstead).
* Oklahoma Park, Oklahoma Road, Eldersburg.
* Roaring Run Park, Finksburg.
* Sandymount, 2250 Old Westminster Pike, Sandymount.
* Salt Box, 2126 Gillis Falls Road, Woodbine.
* Watkins Park,Route 27, Mount Airy.
* Westminster Community Pond, 30 College View Blvd., Westminster.
MUNICIPAL PARKS
All municipal parks operatefrom dawn to dusk.
Portable bathrooms are available in some locations only during the summer season.
* Hampstead: Melvin Miller Memorial Park, Route 30, north of town, includes picnic area, 374-2761; Hampstead Town Pool, Hampstead Valley, 1990 fees were $200 for residential families of four, $220 for non-residential families of four, $180 for couples, $120 for individuals; 1991 fees to be set, 876-7339.
* Manchester: Christmas Tree Park, Water Street, two ball fields and lighted tennis courts, pavilion reservation fee: $25, large and $15, small; Pine Valley Park, Walnut Street, pond for fishing, nature trails; Westside Memorial Park, picnic area on Route 27 just west of Route 30; 239-3200.
* Mount Airy: Mount Airy Park, Prospect Road, weekend and holiday pavilion rental, $25; Prospect Park, Prospect Road, pond, pavilion, some recreational facilities; Watkins Park, Route 27, pavilion, picnic area, tennis and basketball courts, ball fields; 829-1424 or 795-6012.
* New Windsor: Lions Field, Route 75; New Windsor Tot Lot, Lambert Avenue, donation accepted for pavilion rental;Seible Field, Roops Spring Road, off Old New Windsor Pike; Sulphur Springs, Water Street behind the Middle School, 635-2614.
* Sykesville: Millard F. Cooper Park, Route 32 across from entrance to Springfield Hospital Center; $15 pavilion rental fee. 795-8959.
* Taneytown: Roth Avenue Recreation Park, Cloverberry Development; T. H. S. Recreation Park, off George Street and Roberts Mill Road; Taneytown Memorial Park, Route 140 West Baltimore Street; $25 minimum pavilion rental fee; swimming pool has yearly and daily membership fees. 756-2677.
* Union Bridge: Community Center, 4770 Ladiesburg Road, with kitchen, rentals $50 for hall, $25 for kitchen, $20 for cleanup and a $50 deposit for town residents; fees are $75, $30, $25 and $50, respectively, for out-of-towners, 775-2718.
* Westminster: Belle Grove Square, Bond and Green streets, open space park with benches; Charles Street Tot Lot; King Park, Chase Street, open-space park with tot lot and pavilion (free permit needed) and fitness court; Longwell Municipal Center (Old Armory), available for volleyball and basketball, $12-per-hour rental fee; Sullivan Avenue Tot Lot; Westminster City Playground; Broadway Alley off Center Street, no fees; Westminster Municipal Jaycee Park, Johahn Drive and Uniontown Road; Westminster MunicipalPool, The Greens, 325 Royer Road, memberships available, $2.50 city residential daily fee, $3.50 county residential daily fee, 848-6962.
