ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today opened the County’s new COVID-19 Memorial at the Department of Recreation & Parks’ Meadowbrook Park in Ellicott City. The memorial grove, one of only a few in Maryland, features 44 native birch trees and a water feature surrounded by seating to offer visitors a calming place of reflection. Photos of the event can be found here.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected all of us in ways that we may never be able to adequately express. Through this memorial, I hope our residents find a safe, quiet space where they come, reflect and feel at peace, while honoring all who we lost, and all the sacrifices made during the pandemic. This project is part of the healing process as our community regroups from the tragedies surrounding the pandemic and it empowers us to come together to celebrate all that we have accomplished.
Native birch trees were selected to encompass the memorial space due to their symbolism of new beginnings and growth. Fast growing, attractive with their beautiful, curling bark and spreading limbs that offer excellent shade, these native trees can easily adapt to Maryland’s changing environment and various soils. The first tree was planted at the memorial grove’s groundbreaking ceremony in November 2023.
The memorial’s fountain is made of polished black granite and reflects the adjacent trees and surroundings, even when the water is not flowing in the winter. A seating area surrounds the fountain, along with landscape beds of colorful and fragrant flowers to brighten the area and add to the serene setting.
“The memorial has truly come together beautifully with the fountain, trees, walkways, and benches. Now, with the artistic talents of Mr. Benedict and Ms. Kuonen, a new sculpture will further enhance this memorial,” said Nick Mooneyhan, Director, Recreation & Parks. “The Department of Recreation and Parks is honored to be able to provide this space for our community. And we look forward to this grove becoming a space for quiet reflection.”
During the ribbon cutting, Ball also unveiled the design for a commissioned sculpture selected to be featured at the memorial. After reviewing over 40 designs, Howard County selected Florida artists Jim Benedict and Lily Kuonen to design and complete a 16-foot sculpture that features intricately fabricated bronze and native Bay Forget-Me-Not flowers, memorialized and supported in an elegant, stainless-steel base. These Bay Forget-Me-Nots symbolize remembrance, comfort, hope, empathy, compassion and the strength of the human spirit, celebrating the connections that bring the community together. The sculpture is expected to be completed and installed by September 2025.
“COVID-19 has proven to be the most significant public health crisis of the last century. It brought not only isolation, fear, grief and economic stress, but claimed the lives of neighbors, friends and loved ones,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Health Officer, Howard County Health Department. “The COVID Memorial Grove will serve as a place of reflection for the dedicated health workers across the county, as well as a place for all of us to remember and honor those we lost to the pandemic.”
“Despite all of the new challenges that the pandemic presented and the impact on our personnel, our firefighters never stopped working to educate, protect, and serve,” said Fire Chief Louis Winston. “This memorial will serve as a permanent place for all of us to reflect on what we’ve endured these last few years as we work to heal.”
“During the pandemic, protecting and serving took on a new meaning for our police officers,” said Major Terrence Benn, Howard County Police Department. “We saw firsthand the toll this virus took on so many people and families. It was our mission to keep people as safe as possible during a time that was challenging for everyone.”
“Our DCRS staff never sat down and bravely served. They fed so many, stood and held hands as residents anxiously waited for vaccines, and answered the calls of so many who were sitting isolated during those tough days,” said Jacqueline R. Scott, Director, Department of Community Resources and Services. “May everyone find peace, comfort and community in this sacred space.”
“This memorial serves as a place for reflection, not only for those we lost, but also for all those who stepped up to serve our community throughout the pandemic. Let this remind us that even in our most challenging times, our collective strength and resilience will carry us through,” said Tina Laboy, Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management.
About Meadowbrook Park:
Meadowbrook Park is located alongside the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex at 5001 Meadowbrook Lane in Ellicott City. The park includes baseball fields, a large playground for all abilities, tennis courts, basketball courts and about 2.5 miles of sidewalks and pathways that circle the park.