June 22, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Anna Hunter, Marketing and Public Information Superintendent, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4686
Including indoor summer camps, community centers, historic museums, and the Robinson Nature Center
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks has announced additional reopenings of its indoor facilities and amenities starting Monday, July 6th.
“As more residents are heading back to work and offices, we are aware of how challenging it is to find safe and accessible activities and child care,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Our Recreation & Parks staff have been working around the clock to review safety guidelines, implement new procedures, and offer as many amenities that are safe to resume.”
Community Centers and Facilities:
The community centers’ gymnasiums and exercise rooms will be open; however, hours will be limited to evenings and weekends as the five facilities will be used for camps and childcare during the weekdays. Hours, safety guidelines, sign-ups, and the number of people able to access each facility will be restricted. Guidelines on each center’s use will be posted on each center’s web page prior to July 6th.
Also, the pool at the Roger Carter Community Center will reopen on July 6th, but with restrictions and limited hours. Information regarding lap swim, time limits, safety protocols and hours of operation will be posted on Roger Carter Community Center’s website before the 6th.
Museums:
Indoor facilities and museums may have altered hours, please be sure to check online at www.howardcountymd.gov/rap ahead of visits. Starting Saturday, July 11th, the Patapsco Female Institute and the Firehouse Museum will be open Saturday and Sunday’s from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. Set to open Wednesday, July 8th, the Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum will be open Wednesday’s and Thursday’s from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday’s and Sunday’s from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Indoor Camps
Howard County Recreation & Parks indoor camps will start on Monday, July 6; however, not all indoor camps will be offered, due to the inability to use public school buildings and new safety guidelines that include smaller groups and physical distancing. As Recreation & Parks works through safety protocols with its staff, camps that are running under COVID-19 safety recommendations will be listed on the Recreation & Parks’ website. Recreation & Parks outdoor camps are set to begin Monday, June 29th.
“This is uncharted territory for our camp programmers. We are able to convert an outdoor running camp into a safe, outdoor camp much more quickly than an indoor basketball camp,” stated Recreation & Parks Director Raul Delerme. “I understand that parents are looking for safe activities and childcare options, so I would ask those interested in our programs and classes to check our website every few days to see what indoor and outdoor camps have been added to our camps spreadsheet.”
Full details on reopenings and schedule adjustments can be found on the Recreation & Parks web page at www.howardcountymd.gov/rap.