Cedar Lane Park
10745 Route 108, Columbia, MD 21044
Amenities: Large paved lots. Restrooms. Most of the 2.5 miles of paths are paved. A heavily used park with numerous sports fields
Special Attractions: Although little visited by birders, this 100-acre park’s paved path through mature woods provides a pleasant walk and access to several habitats.
Handicapped Access: Access is good. Almost all paths are paved, and grades are gentle.
Habitat: A mature deciduous wood lot, extensive edge, a small stream, and a few planted conifers are all near or within hearing distance of multiple athletic fields. Mown-grass areas in the vicinity of active recreation offer second-growth edge and some annual flowers, while a narrow stream is bordered by a few tangles. A beaten path through the woods crosses the stream.
Layout: This park has two entrances: Cedar Lane (West) and MD 108 (North). The majority of scheduled athletic activities are on the West fields. A paved path through mature woods connects the two sections. There is paved parking at both entrances. Tree height makes spotting birds difficult; generally, much more is heard than seen.
There is an interesting native plant community. For years, garlic mustard was removed during the growing season by a Howard County Bird Club volunteer. That intense effort to control an invasive plant helped to maintain understory vegetative diversity.
Howard County Recreation and Parks information
Compiler: Joanne Solem
