Ellicott City Wins Big in Maryland Family

Maryland Family readers love Ellicott City. At least that’s what the magazine’s Readers’ Choice awards show.

Howard County businesses and services came out on top or received an honorable mention in 20 of the 31 categories, and that’s not including chain businesses that have locations in the county. 

Centennial Park took home the Best Park/Playground award; and nearby Meadowbrook Park received an honorable mention.

“We’re very proud of all Centennial Park has to offer to the community,”  Howard County Director of Recreation and Parks John Byrd said in a statement.  

“There’s something there for everyone, whether it’s the lake, natural areas, recreational space or athletic fields. Centennial Park serves as a model for Howard County’s entire park system and the park operations staff does a great job keeping it up. It’s a great honor to receive this award.”

Other Ellicott City winners include Dunloggin Veterinary Hospital (Best Vet); Mumbles and Squeaks (honorable mention, Best Toy Store); and B&O Railroad Station Museum (honorable mention, Best Museum for families, in company with Port Discovery and Maryland Science Center).

The Howard County Library System also came out a winner for Best Story Time for its children's classes 

“We are thrilled and honored that customers voted our children's classes as the best,” spokesperson Christie Lassen said. The library offers children's classes for different age groups, Lassen said. For infants -23-month-olds, classes such as Play Partners teach social skills, listening comprehension and the foundations of reading.

For preschoolers, classes teach similar skills as well as creative expression. “An annual favorite, Fall into Science, explores simple science concepts and experiments inspired by children’s literature,” Lassen said.

Classes for school-aged children teach subjects through literature. Lassen highlighted the Discovering Great Artists series, which, on Nov. 9, will give children ages 6 – 9 a chance to study surrealist Rene Magritte.   

Find out more about the library’s year-round and seasonal children's classes on the Howard County Library System’s website. 

For a full list of Marlyland Family Readers' Choice winners, visit the magazine online. 

This article has been updated.