Last week, the Howard County Executive announced the purchase of the 21-acre Camp Ilchester and plans to integrate it into the County’s park system.
Last week, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced an agreement to purchase the nearly 21-acre Camp Ilchester in Ellicott City and preserve it as open space as part of the county’s parks and recreation system. The letter of intent outlines steps to complete the sale from the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland for $6 million, subject to an approved appropriation by the Howard County Council. Ball included $6 million for the purchase in his proposed Fiscal Year 2023 capital budget, which is scheduled to be voted on by the County Council on May 25th. Photos of the event can be found here.
According to the press release:
When the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland announced they were looking to sell Camp Ilchester last April, we knew we had to act. We had to make sure that our County didn’t lose this important piece of green space and valuable community resource that allows Howard County families to experience all that nature has to offer. I am thrilled that we have reached this important milestone to preserve Camp Ilchester as open space for present and future generations to enjoy.
– Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive
The letter of intent states that the property will no longer be marketed for sale and lists the steps for final sale. Howard County intends to preserve Camp Ilchester as green space, keeping up to 105 housing units out of the development pipeline and utilizing the property to expand recreational program offerings to residents across the County and State. Potential uses of the Camp could include sports programs, outdoor adventure camps, active aging activities, and a nature center with nature-based educational programming. The acquisition of Camp Ilchester would continue the County’s efforts to preserve land for environmental and agricultural purposes throughout Howard County.