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Rockburn Branch Park is a local park in
The park was established in 1975, when the original parcel of land was "sold" to Howard County for $5. The deed of this property stated "The above-described property may not be converted from outdoor public recreation or open space use to any other use without the prior written approval of the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of the Department of State Planning, or their successors." The property Owner wanted the park protected with this language. Later, in 1979 Howard County bought another piece of land directly next to the original parcel for approximately $525,000.00 and effectively bridging the connection to
Elkridge, Maryland
Elkridge is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Howard County, Maryland, United States. The population was 15,593 at the 2010 census. Founded early in the 18th century, Elkridge is adjacent to two other counties, An ...
that follows the , a tributary of the Patapsco River
The Patapsco River mainstem is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map , accessed April 1, 2011 river in central Maryland that flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The river's tidal port ...
. The park features 7.4 miles of trails, 10 ball diamonds, 2 turf fields, 4 smaller fields, along with tennis and basketball courts. The park is also home to the Pfeiffers Corner Schoolhouse, Clover Hill Historic House, and Rockburn Elementary School.
History
The park was established in 1975, when the original parcel of land was "sold" to Howard County for $5. The deed of this property stated "The above-described property may not be converted from outdoor public recreation or open space use to any other use without the prior written approval of the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of the Department of State Planning, or their successors." The property Owner wanted the park protected with this language. Later, in 1979 Howard County bought another piece of land directly next to the original parcel for approximately $525,000.00 and effectively bridging the connection to Patapsco Valley State Park
Patapsco Valley State Park is a Maryland state park extending along of the Patapsco River south and west of the city of Baltimore, Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It ...
.
In September 2001 the oldest structure in Howard County was moved to the park from Warfield's Range in North Laurel
North Laurel is a census-designated place (CDP) in Howard County, Maryland, United States. The published population was 4,474 at the 2010 census. This population was substantially less than the CDP's population in 2000, and was the result of an er ...
to accommodate development. The log cabin built in 1696 was destroyed by arson after two weeks onsite.
On September 29, 2004, Pfeiffers Corner Schoolhouse was dedicated on Rockburn Branch Park Road across from the elementary school. The 1883 schoolhouse was relocated to the site, and is used for town hall meetings and historical purposes. The fields of the park are used for local sports teams such as the Elkridge Youth Organization and the youth football league, the Elkridge Hurricanes.
Future plans for the park call for the restoration of Clover Hill Historic House into an events center, similar to that of Blandair
Blandair, also known as Blandair Farm, Blandair Park, and Blandair Regional Park, is 300 acres of former slave plantation located in Columbia, Maryland. The Blandair Foundation estate of Mrs. Smith was purchased by Howard County, Maryland in the la ...
and Belmont Estate.
As of 2017, a debate regarding the location of a new county high school has led some to suggest the park as the most viable location. County Executive Allan H. Kittleman and a member of the Howard County Council have announced their opposition to this proposal.
References
{{Howard County, Maryland topics Parks in Howard County, Maryland Elkridge, Maryland