The County Council approved the 2005 Howard County Land Preservation, Recreation and Parks Plan on January 3, 2006. The Plan was prepared by Urban Research and Development Corporation (URDC), consultants, in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Department of Recreation and Parks. The Columbia firm of HNTB, Inc. provided assistance in the areas of local demographics, agricultural preservation and compliance with the Howard County 2000 General Plan.

The purpose of the Plan is two-fold:

• it is required by the State of Maryland as a prerequisite to State grant funds administered by The Department of Natural Resources, Program Open Space and
• it provides a fifteen-year plan for the preservation of open space and natural resource areas, and the provision of parkland and park facilities.

The Department of Recreation and Parks appreciates the input received from the citizens of Howard County during public meetings and through the Internet.

The approved 2005 Howard County Land Preservation, Recreation and Parks Plan is now available for viewing. Because this is a very large file, we have not included the maps. However, they will be included as links within the document as soon as possible.