Community Corner

Speak Out: Is Noise a Problem at Blandair Park?

Neighbors beginning to voice concern over noise at Blandair Park.

 

It's no longer just fun and games at Howard County's Blandair Park—the new park is generating a significant amount of noise, according to a report published in Explore Howard.

Neighbors of the park said noises such as air horns, whistles, buzzers and public address speakers are creating a situation in which the park has become a nuisance, according to the report.

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A meeting to allow residents to discuss the noise issues  is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Other Barn in Oakland Mills.

The park, which is open from sunrise to 11 p.m., officially opened in March, and is home to lacrosse, soccer and football practices and games on its three synthetic fields—which are lit at night. The park also hosts large tournaments that draw a significant number of children and adults.

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"We had more than a handful of residents who sent letters to the board with concern over the noise at the park—not noise from regular people, but there are large tournaments there," said Sandy Cedarbaum, village manager for Oakland Mills. "There has been a lot of overflow parking on neighboring streets, lots of kids walking and crossing streets in an area that had little traffic before the park was developed."

Cedarbaum said the community supported building of the park during its development phase and this is just one of the issues that needs to be dealt with now that it's open.

She said the community hopes to work with Howard County Parks and Recreation, which manages the park, to find a mutual solution.

"With anything new there's going to be issues, as soon as we can work out an agreement the better," said Cedarbaum. "We're going to have an open and civil discussion [Tuesday night]."

Do you think noise is a problem at Blandair Park? Tell us your experience in the comments.


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