County Parks

Howard County, which led the way in prohibiting smoking indoors, plans to extend the ban outdoors to all county parks, a move that would be the first of its kind in the state. "It's something we've been looking at for some time," County Executive Ken Ulman said in an interview, adding that it's another goal toward making "Howard County the healthiest county it can be. " Smoking, he said, "is not in keeping with that. It's a dirty, filthy habit. " Ulman plans on issuing an executive order that applies to all 57 park properties, but does not include open space and parks owned by the Columbia Association.

Most of the boys and girls scattered across the turf Saturday for the grand opening of Blandair Park weren't born at its inception. The children, with their lacrosse sticks and football helmets, waited to try out the fields and playground as the politicians congratulated one another on the completion of the first phase of the 300-acre park that has been 14 years in the making. The playground, 278-space parking lot and three multi-use turf fields, which can be used for soccer, lacrosse or football, are the highlights of the latest evolution of the land that was once a Colonial-era farm.

WHY STOP AT parking fees? If Howard County officials want the public to pay for services they use, why not charge higher fees by the item for all governmental services?Residents whose homes sustain fire damage can foot a larger share of fire service costs.No police action at your home last year? Don't worry. Your portion of the police department's budget would be lower than the amount charged to unfortunate souls who experienced crime and needed officers to intervene.If you are among the county residents who don't drive, your contribution to the road construction and resurfacing budget would be minimal.

There are 28 parks in Carroll County, including five in Westminster. The newest will soon have a name, to be chosen from suggestions by the public. "This is the first time we've had this promotion," said Jeff Degitz, the county's Director of Recreation and Parks. "It's not designed to be a popularity contest," he said. "Over 100 people have submitted ideas, and we've asked each of them to detail why their suggestion would be appropriate for the community. So far, a lot of people have come up with creative ideas and names.

A Baltimore County parks official will have sole authority to exempt developers from requirements to set aside land within communities for recreational use under legislation approved by the County Council last night. The bill empowers the county recreation and parks director to decide whether a developer can pay cash as an alternative to preserving open space within a neighborhood. For large developments, such decisions have traditionally been made at public hearings by a zoning commissioner.

The man thought it was a beautiful day in Queenstown Park Friday until police put handcuffs on him shortly after noon.The Laurel resident was charged with soliciting to perform a sex act on a police officer. He was taken to Harbour Hospital after he complained of chest pains.His arrest was among the first in a police crackdown on men who have sex with other men in Queenstown Park. The park on Queenstown Road in Severn has been the target of undercover operations before, but this time officers say they hope to keep the men away by banning those they arrest from all county parks.

THE QUESTION: Memorial Day weekend typically marks the start of the time of year when people pile into cars and flock to county parks. Is parking free at Anne Arundel County parks? THE ANSWER: That depends on the park. At Quiet Waters Park, there is a $5 per vehicle daily parking fee; an annual parking permit costs $25. At Historic London Town and Gardens, however, parking is free. Check the county Recreation and Parks Department's Web site for details on county parks: http: / / www.aacounty.

Though spring rains are delaying the finishing touches to Sandy Point State Park's four-year renovation, visitors this weekend can still enjoy the results of the $7.1 million effort.A small amount of work at the south beach area is all that remains to be done, said park manager Gerry Thompson. A new restroom will not be open, but a bathhouse and another restroom are nearby, he said."We've got the picnic tables out, and there are grills," he said.Construction is expected to to be completed by next month.

A managed deer hunt in Baltimore County parks could happen under a bill introduced at Monday's council meeting. Republican Councilmen Todd Huff and David Marks sponsored the bill, which would amend county code to permit a hunt in collaboration with the state Department of Natural Resources. A study by a county environmental commission conducted more than a year ago determined that deer were causing severe damage in some parks, particularly Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, leading to devastated crops and greenery, and potentially increasing the spread of Lyme disease.

IN BALTIMORE COUNTY Free boat access to bay available at county parks TOWSON - Boat access to the Chesapeake Bay is available at six free ramps in Baltimore County. Open year-round, the ramps are at Cox's Point Park, Inverness Park, Merritt Point Park, Rocky Point Park, Southwest Area Park and Turner Station Park. Ramps open at 6 a.m.; closing time varies. A $5 trailer parking fee is charged at Rocky Point Park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Information: 410-887-3871.

WINFIELD — The Board of County Commissioners this week approved purchase of a 9.16-acre tract in the Winfield area for a new park and athletic fields. The commissioners voted unanimously to buy the tract for $200,000 at its Dec. 6 meeting, tapping various Program Open Space resources for up to $190,000 of the cost, and other sources, including park impact fees, for the remainder. This 9.16-acre property is opposite Winfield Elementary School. Officials noted that the county continues to experience a need for park land and athletic fields in many areas, including Winfield.

Howard County, which led the way in prohibiting smoking indoors, plans to extend the ban outdoors to all county parks, a move that would be the first of its kind in the state. "It's something we've been looking at for some time," County Executive Ken Ulman said in an interview, adding that it's another goal toward making "Howard County the healthiest county it can be. " Smoking, he said, "is not in keeping with that. It's a dirty, filthy habit. " Ulman plans on issuing an executive order that applies to all 57 park properties, but does not include open space and parks owned by the Columbia Association.

I was confused by your report that Baltimore County supposedly approved a "deer hunt bill" ("Deer hunts approved in Balto. County parks," May 3). That could not be further from the truth. In fact, the bill was stricken of any and all language implying the approval of hunting and replaced it with the term "deer cooperator. " It is like comparing apples and oranges: Hunters can maim and wound deer, but a deer cooperator as defined in the bill is required to kill the animals instantly and humanely with a single shot through the brain.

Baltimore County Council members are looking to amend a bill to permit controlled deer kills in certain public parks, but critics say the proposed changes don't go far enough. Council members said the changes are being formulated, but references to hunting have been deleted in favor of a "wildlife management program. " Other amendments would require the county to also explore alternative methods of deer control — including sterilization — and would clearly state that the bill would not allow open season in county parks.

A managed deer hunt in Baltimore County parks could happen under a bill introduced at Monday's council meeting. Republican Councilmen Todd Huff and David Marks sponsored the bill, which would amend county code to permit a hunt in collaboration with the state Department of Natural Resources. A study by a county environmental commission conducted more than a year ago determined that deer were causing severe damage in some parks, particularly Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, leading to devastated crops and greenery, and potentially increasing the spread of Lyme disease.

A Cecil County zoo that got its start as a personal hobby for its owner, survived political controversies and delighted children and other visitors for 24 years has closed its doors. Ed Plumstead, 82, of Rising Sun, the founder and owner of Plumpton Park Zoo, could not be reached for comment, but the county's tourism director, Sandy Turner, said Plumstead had contacted her last week to tell her he would close the zoo because tending its more than 300 animals had become too hard for him. He shut the business down sometime last week, she said.

Three Baltimore police officers have turned themselves in after being indicted Tuesday by a city grand jury on charges that they kidnapped two West Baltimore teens last year, leaving one in a Howard County state park without shoes, socks or his cell phone. The officers were waiting to see a District Court commissioner Wednesday morning, who would set an initial bail amount, officials said. The indictment came exactly a year after Michael Brian Johnson Jr. said he was picked up by the three officers and abandoned in Patapsco State Park.

Three Baltimore police officers were indicted Tuesday on charges that they kidnapped two West Baltimore teens last year, leaving one in a Howard County state park without shoes, socks or his cell phone . The indictment came exactly a year after Michael Brian Johnson Jr. said he was picked up by the three officers and abandoned in Patapsco State Park. The incident prompted a call from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for criminal charges against police, and the teen and his family filed a multi-million lawsuit against the officers in March.