Rockburn Branch Park

Rockburn Branch Park is a local park in Elkridge, Maryland that follows the Rockburn Branch, a tributary of the Patapsco River. The park features 7.4 miles of trails, 10 ball diamonds, 2 turf fields, 4 smaller fields, along with tennis and basketball courts.[2] The park is also home to the Pfeiffers Corner Schoolhouse, Clover Hill Historic House, and Rockburn Elementary School.[3]

Rockburn Branch Park
TypeCounty
LocationElkridge, Maryland
Coordinates39.219°N 76.763°W / 39.219; -76.763
Area450-acre (1.8 km2)
Created1996[1]
Operated byHoward County
StatusOpen Official website

History
Clover Hill.

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."[4] 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.

In September 2001 the oldest structure in Howard County was moved to the park from Warfield's Range in North Laurel to accommodate development. The log cabin built in 1696 was destroyed by arson after two weeks onsite.[5]

On September 29, 2004, Pfeiffers Corner Schoolhouse was dedicated on Rockburn Brach 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.[6] 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 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.[7]

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References
  1. "Parks | Open Data Portal". Opendata.howardcountymd.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  2. "Explore Parks and Other Outdoor Open Spaces in Howard County, Maryland". Visithowardcounty.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  3. "Howard County - Rockburn Branch Park". Howardcountymd.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  4. HoCo Deed Liber 0735 Folio 505
  5. "Centuries-old log cabin destroyed by fire". The Durant Daily Democrat. 25 December 2001.
  6. "Howard County - Pfeiffer's Corner Schoolhouse". Howardcountymd.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  7. Magill, Kate. "Howard County executive opposes building a high school at Rockburn park". Columbia Flier. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
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