June 28, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Anna Hunter, Superintendent of Public Information & Marketing, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4686
Month-long celebration spotlights the fun and games of parks and recreation
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – This July, Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks and the National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) invites residents to get their game on through a variety of family-friendly activities as they celebrate Parks and Recreation Month.
“All year long, the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks offers our residents and visitors a variety of great events and programs. This July, I encourage you to try something new as we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Whether it’s a visit to a community center to exercise or a relaxing evening under the stars at the July 4th Fireworks celebration in Downtown Columbia, our Department of Recreation & Parks has something for everyone.”
Throughout the month of July, the Department of Recreation & Parks has a variety of fun activities planned for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. Activities include a free Stop-to-Play event at the Roger Carter Community Center, Robinson Nature Center’s popular Wild for Water Day, an outdoor screening of “The Lion King” at Belmont Manor and complimentary snow cones every Friday at the North Laurel Community Center. For a full list of activities, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/recandparksmonth.
“Each July, Parks and Recreation Month allows the public to get better acquainted with our parks and community centers,” said Department of Recreation & Parks Acting Director Raul Delerme. “This is not only a great opportunity to get active and make new friends, it’s a unique chance to become more familiar with the fun and exciting activities Recreation and Parks offers every week.”
NRPA is also encouraging people to share their support for parks and recreation as they participate in this month’s events by posting on social media using the hashtag #GameOnJuly.
To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/recandparksmonth and www.nrpa.org/July.
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Since its founding in 1968, Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks has maintained parks, sports facilities, recreation areas, nature centers, scenic outdoor trails and more along with an extensive range of recreational programs, activities and special events.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.