If you’re an active Columbia resident who is always looking for new ways to switch up your workouts, pay a visit to the scenic trails at Centennial Park. This family-friendly park is a favorite amongst the area’s runners, cyclists and walkers, as it contains scenic trails that wind through wooded areas and along the large lake.

Fishers will enjoy casting off at one of the lake’s sturdy piers, while just about anyone would love spending the afternoon relaxing along the lake’s shores. You can even rent paddle boats for an even closer view of the lake’s calm waters. Centennial Park contains a number of pavilions, picnic areas and barbecue grills perfect for a summer afternoon cookout, and there are attached public restrooms at some of the larger pavilions. The playground area is popular with younger children, and the entire park is dog-friendly if you want to bring your furry friend.

Centennial Park
10000 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7271
www.centennialmd.org
www.yelp.com/biz/centennial-park-columbia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr freakinhippie

If you’re looking to disconnect from your electronics for a while and get back to nature, Centennial Park is the perfect place to do so near Monarch Mills. This award-winning park spans an impressive 325 acres of land, and it is a part of Howard County’s park system, which comprises more than 7,000 acres.

A beautiful lake sits at the center of Centennial Park, and a 2.4-mile walking trail creates a loop around it. Visitors spend time walking, jogging, or bird watching on the trail, and it also connects to areas at the lake’s shores where you can cast a fishing line or launch a boat. There are grassy open areas ideal for picnicking, and you’ll often see rabbits, deer, and beavers in their natural habitats while you relax nearby.

Many of these areas also make great places to play a pickup game of soccer, tag football, or catch with the little ones!

Centennial Park
9801 Old Annapolis Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7271
www.centennialmd.org

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr zenjazzygeek

Centennial Park encompasses 325 acres' worth of the 7,000-plus park acreage in Howard County. That's plenty of space for Columbia's local outdoorsmen and -women to get some fresh air and exercise. Many of them come here to go for a run or a bike ride on the 2.4-mile path. It rings the lake, so no matter which part you traverse, you'll have a view of the sparkling water.

Some folks come just to fish in the lake. Rent a boat and spend a day angling for your dinner or just spend some time sunbathing. You can also explore the sights and smells of the buds that burst into colorful blooms in Centennial Park's designated wildflower space. You'll probably see birds dancing around the blossoms and splashing nearby in the lake. Take the kids to the playground if they're still small enough to enjoy a good slide (or two).

Centennial Park
10000 Route 108
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7271
www.centennialmd.org
www.yelp.com/biz/centennial-park-columbia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr harum.koh