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A little-used parking lot is gone and in its place is more grass at Towson Manor Park. It’s part of a renovation of the park, and neighborhood residents hope there is more to come.
A gazebo has been removed and there are tentative plans — pending funding — to replace it with a solar gazebo in a more central spot in the park, said Joe La Bella, head of the Towson Manor Village Community Association. In place of the old gazebo, playground equipment geared toward 6-12 is planned; the current playground equipment is aimed at younger kids.
“The goal with the new equipment is to encourage more activities for older children (as well as adults — I plan to climb all over this new equipment as well!),” La Bella said.
“A new brick walkway will run from the southeast corner of the park across the bottom of the park to the patio space toward the southern portion of the park. Our hope is to have the county dig the trench for the walkway and level it for us, and then have TMV volunteers lay the bricks,” La Bella said. “We will be removing the brickwork around the current gazebo and repurpose as much of them as possible for the new walkway.”
The project will be funded in part through the increased open space funding required by the Baltimore County Council in December 2015, Councilman David Marks said.
“I would like to thank Joe La Bella for his leadership in developing these park improvements, and Francis Sanzaro for his technical assistance as well,” Marks said. “They have created a plan that will enhance Towson Manor Village, removing an underutilized parking area and replacing it with additional green space for the community.”
Sen. Jim Brochin and Del. Steve Lafferty sponsored legislation that secured $30,000 in state bond bill money for the park.
“Senator Brochin and Delegate Lafferty were very helpful with the state funding, and County Recreation and Parks Director Barry Williams and Public Works Director Steve Walsh have assisted with the physical improvements,” Marks said.