RANDALLSTOWN, MD—Baltimore County officials have announced that the County plans to acquire a 90,000 square-foot property for a shared 21st-century facility that will house a new, expanded Randallstown branch of the Baltimore County Public Library and a brand-new Department of Recreation and Parks center.

The new building will be able to house multiple services under one roof, which will increase access to information and resources for residents. A large gymnasium with flexible programming space will be available for community use, featuring a walking track and several indoor courts for year-round activities such as pickleball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and more. The open space will also include a makerspace and creative arts space, separate teen and tween spaces, computers and laptop areas, and meeting rooms.

“Libraries and recreational amenities play a crucial role in creating vibrant and thriving communities. This new, combined 21st-century space in Randallstown will be a hub for learning and social connections, as well as a space where residents of all ages can be active – together,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I thank Speaker Jones for her leadership on this project, as well as the support from all of our state and local partners, on this first-of-its-kind project in Baltimore County.”

“Today’s announcement represents the State’s commitment to bring additional education and recreational opportunities to communities in Northwest Baltimore County,” said Maryland Speaker of the House Adrienne A. Jones. “This state-of-the-art facility will also provide critical community and social services to families, students, and seniors in the region.”

The current Randallstown Branch was built in 1967 and serves a community of about 50,000 people. The new branch will be almost twice the size of the existing space, allowing for more programs and services to meet the growing needs of the community. In addition to expanded library services, the recreation center will offer afterschool programs for students, teen projects, sensory programming, free summer lunches, and more. The new building will also host community events and programs to help strengthen the community.

“Based on the traffic levels and usage of the Randallstown Branch, it is clear that the community is clamoring for this 21st century library space with more technology and modern amenities,” said Baltimore County Public Library CEO Sonia Alcántara-Antoine. “This state-of-the-art, dual-purpose building will remove barriers and create access to a breadth of County resources for the community to learn, work and play all under one roof. It undoubtedly will help us fulfill our vision of empowering and engaging individuals for a more inclusive and connected Baltimore County. We are excited and grateful for the endorsement and financial support from the State of Maryland and Baltimore County to make this innovative project a reality.”

The public has a chance to shape the design of the new building. The first step is to conduct a community input meeting to hear feedback on the proposal. Details for the meeting will be announced soon. The community input meeting is an open house, and all residents are welcome to attend.

“We are excited to get started on this transformational project along the Liberty Road corridor, and looking forward to a new and collaborative with Baltimore County Public Library,” Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith. “We often hear about the need for more recreational options in this community and this new space represents the County’s continued focus on meeting the needs of our residents. Many thanks to County Executive Olszewski, Speaker Jones, Councilman Jones and our other local and state partners for their tremendous support and vision for this project.”

The new Randallstown Public Library and Recreation Center will be a hub for learning, social activities, and community well-being. The building is expected to open in 2026 and will be located at 8212 Liberty Road in Randallstown.

“I am thrilled to see Baltimore County moving forward with this innovative and exciting project to bring a new Randallstown Library and Recreation Center to Liberty Road,” County Councilman Julian Jones said. “This project will be a great addition and an exciting new resource for our residents in west Baltimore County. Thank you to County Executive Johnny Olszewski, House Speaker Adrienne Jones, BCPL Director Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, and Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith for working together to move this project forward.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski