4th Community Garden In Howard Co. Unveiled

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The fourth community garden to be established in Howard County was unveiled Thursday.

The community garden at Old Montgomery Road in Ellicott City sits just north of the MD 100 overpass on 16.22 acres. The garden features 126 standard-size garden plots where Howard County residents can grow fresh produce and flowers. There's also a parking lot and storage area.

Of the 126 plots, 25 are Americans with Disabilities accessible, meaning they feature raised garden beds that allow wheelchair-bound individuals, or anyone unable to comfortably bend down to the ground, to be able plant, tend and harvest produce.

Two of the plots will be dedicated to the Howard County Recreation and Parks’ Therapeutic Recreation Division to conduct relevant programs and five will be dedicated to the Community Action Council of Howard County, MD Inc.

“Community gardens are about so much more than growing food ... they’re about growing community,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball at the ribbon-cutting.

“The opening of our new community garden on Old Montgomery Road gives residents – whether a novice gardener or an expert, a place where they can come together, cultivate friendships, sharing knowledge and enjoy the great outdoors, all while growing their own nutritious, fresh and affordable foods. We’re proud of what this community garden stands for and the opportunities it creates for our residents to build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable community together," Ball added.

The new location is the first outside of Columbia and increases the county's total number of community garden plots to 699.

“The foundations of communities are anchored through access to parks, open spaces and community gardens. They create welcoming places where residents can gather, learn and grow together,” said Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks Director Nick Mooneyhan. “We are excited to expand these opportunities to Elkridge and Ellicott City residents while continuing to make gardening accessible through inclusive programming and partnerships.”

Amod Bhide, president of Columbia Gardeners, Inc., said the community garden also is the first one in nearly three decades.

"...a period in which Howard County's population has grown by over 120,000 and our waitlist has grown with it,” Bhide said. “It will provide plots to gardeners who have been waiting more than four years for a garden plot.”

Tracy Broccolino, president of the CAC, reminded everyone at the ribbon-cutting that "fresh produce is essential to healthy living. "

"The Community Action Council of Howard County’s Howard County Food Bank is proud to partner with Howard County Recreation and Parks to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow fresh food, bring it home and enjoy a healthy meal with their family—regardless of their economic circumstances,” Broccolino said.