Chairman Bobo and members of the Howard County Delegation:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County supports the requests for State Bonds for these three Recreation and Parks projects. The League has been consistent in our support for these projects, as has the Howard County Delegation. We thank you for you’re past support. However, the projects are not complete.

We have testified for 4 years in support of State Bonds for the Blandair Regional Park. The 298-acre regional park with its 19th century Blandair mansion and out buildings was identified in the 1999 County’s Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan. The County has benefited from technical and restoration services from the National Park Service for the mansion and out buildings. The League urges your support for the $500,000 bond request.

The League has also testified in past years for the North Laurel Community Center. This site was also identified in the 1999 Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan. The North Laurel Community Center will add recreation amenities to the Laurel area. The League urges your support for the $500,000 bond request.

In January 2007 the League testified in support of the Robinson Nature Center. The 18- acre site along the Middle Patuxent River will provide an opportunity to all residents of the County to understand their relationship to not only the Howard County environment but our relationship to the Chesapeake Bay. The Robinson Nature Center has the potential to become a major environmental teaching center. The League urges your support for the $500,000 bond request.

Our support for these specific bond bills is based on our League’s Recreation and Parks position for "facilities accessible to and meeting the needs of a changing and diverse population."

Sincerely,

Barbara Russell,
Co-President
Howard County League of Women Voters