Howard County Executive Calvin Ball led the opening of an innovative new Bicycle Traffic Garden at Huntington Park, Columbia, repurposed from an unused basketball court to now serve as a vibrant hub for novice bikers to hone their street skills. Joined by Department of Recreation & Parks Director Nick Mooneyhan and biking community advocates, Ball cut the ribbon and celebrated this addition to the community, as detailed by the Howard County press release.
Designed with young riders in mind, the bike traffic garden is a hands-on educational site where children can learn traffic navigation and safety wrapped in fun colors and interactive design. Mooneyhan expressed the project’s potential for replication across Howard County parks, emphasizing the dual benefit of reinvigorating underused spaces and fostering inclusive community areas. "Transforming an old basketball court that was no longer in use into Howard County’s first Bicycle Traffic Garden not only promotes sustainability," Mooneyhan mentioned, as per the county's press release.
The initiative was supported by local stakeholders including Tom Decker, President of SealMaster-Delmarva, whose contributions to resurfacing expertise and resources were critical to the project. Decker explained the significance of using a skilled sport court coating contractor for laying out the design, which serves as a learning model for future projects.
Featuring new bicycle racks, safety bollards, and even free helmets provided by nonprofits Bike HoCo and FreeBikes4Kidz, the county aims to emphasize safety and preparedness. Installed in the garden were trash and recycling cans alongside benches, catering to families and spectators. In service of the younger generation, Councilmember Christiana Rigby lauded the initiative during the event, asserting, "The Huntington Bicycle Traffic Garden represents a significant step forward in our commitment to the children of Howard County," as obtained by Howard County's news press release.
