Viewfinder: Flagpole, Memorial Dedicated in Rockburn Branch Park

Gary J. Arthur, the late director of Recreation and Parks, has a special place at in Elkridge.

Because of Arthur's support for Elkridge athletics over the years, several groups came together to raise funds to memorialize him, said Dave Grabowski, president of the Elkridge Adult Athletic Association (EAAA), who has also served as chair of the Recreation and Parks advisory board.

"Gary was not only a true friend to Elkridge but to everyone in the county," said Grabowski.

Arthur was the director of Howard County Recreation and Parks from 1998 to 2010 and during that time, said Grabowski, he helped move Elkridge recreation forward. 

On April 9, the Elkridge Youth Organization, Elkridge Hurricanes and EAAA donated a flagpole and plaque, which stand outside the concession center at the Landing Road portion of Rockburn Branch Park. In addition, a brick dove was installed along the walkway leading up to the park pavilion to symbolize hope in Arthur's honor.

EAAA also buried a "time capsule" underneath the base of the flagpole. It holds an orange bag—Arthur was an avid Clemson Tigers fan—that contains golf balls and half a bottle of Tanqueray gin ("It was a whole bottle," said EAAA members, "but we drank half of it").

Arthur died in May 2010 of cancer.