Oct. 18, 2026 – River Hill Adopt-a-Spot: Weeding & Planting

Sunday, October 18
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join members of the River Hill Watershed Advisory Committee, scouts, high school students and local families on Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., for some fall maintenance at the Village’s Adopt-a-Spot.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Tools and gloves will be provided. Older volunteers will remove weeds and debris and help younger volunteers plant native ferns and flowering plants.

Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sunscreen. Child-safe bug spray will be available.

Meet at Columbia Gym at 10 a.m. to walk along the trail behind the gym, by the pond, to the Adopt-a-Spot.

This is a family-friendly event, so bring the whole gang! Students can earn service hours for their participation.

(Individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.)

Registration is requested but not required.

Register here.

CA Announces Deer Management Hunts

Seeing a deer along a wooded pathway may be a welcome reminder of River Hill’s natural surroundings, but a growing deer population in Howard County also can affect forests, landscaping and road safety. This fall and winter, deer management efforts in the county will expand as Columbia Association (CA) has announced plans to hold its first controlled archery hunts.

Howard County has operated a managed deer hunt program since 1998 as a wildlife management tool. The County’s Recreation & Parks Department conducts controlled archery and firearms hunts on County-owned parkland. According to the County, deer populations have exceeded what the environment can sustainably support since the late 1980s, contributing to reduced forest regeneration, the spread of invasive plants and deer-vehicle collisions.

As part of a longer-term deer management effort, Columbia Association will conduct controlled archery hunts this fall in River Hill, Columbia, Kings Contrivance, Owen Brown and Town Center. Hunts are scheduled for Oct. 14, Oct. 27, Nov. 6, Nov. 20 and Dec. 16.

 

Maps released by CA show two designated archery areas in River Hill. One area is situated near Route 32 and Great Star Drive, with the closest homes located on the cul-de-sacs of Ascending Moon Path, Rippling Tides Terrace and Waving Willow Path. The second area is north of Summer Sunrise Drive, positioned between Great Star Drive and Trotter Road. A map of the hunt locations appears on page 9.

According to CA, Columbia has approximately 100 deer per square mile, compared with a sustainable range of 20 to 25 deer per square mile. CA’s goal is to gradually reduce the deer population to a more sustainable level and reduce impacts on the natural environment.

CA’s program will use hunters from Howard County’s screened and qualified pool. Hunters must have a valid Maryland hunting license and meet state, County and CA requirements including background checks, interviews, documentation verification and archery qualification testing. Howard County says its managed hunt program has operated safely on County parkland since 1998.

County Hunts Near River Hill

Howard County’s managed hunt program includes both archery and firearms hunts at designated County properties. The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA), which borders River Hill, is scheduled for five firearms hunts during the 2026–27 season: Oct. 13, Nov. 2, Nov. 18, Dec. 16 and Jan. 12.

County-managed firearms hunts begin one-half hour before legal sunrise and continue until 11 a.m., and participating parks are closed to other users until noon on hunt days. County-managed archery hunt locations have different schedules and restrictions, and affected parks are posted in advance.

Residents Should Use Caution

Residents who walk, run or otherwise use trails and open space should pay attention to posted signs and follow instructions on hunt days. CA says signs will be posted in affected areas before hunting begins and on hunt days, staff will be present near affected pathways. Hunters will operate only in designated areas that meet applicable safety requirements. State regulations require a 150-yard safety zone from occupied dwellings, while CA says hunters will be at least 100 yards from CA pathways. Hunters also will shoot from designated tree stands and may take shots only within 25 yards.

Residents should check CA and Howard County notices before visiting open-space and park areas during scheduled hunts. Dog owners should keep pets leashed in areas where leashes are required and follow any posted instructions.

For information about CA’s controlled archery hunts, email sustainability@columbiaassociation.org. Howard County’s deer management information, including current hunt locations and schedules, is available through the Department of Recreation & Parks.

County Advances Clarksville-River Hill Streetscape Improvements

Howard County is moving forward with plans to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections in the Clarksville–River Hill area. The Clarksville–River Hill Streetscape Improvements project would add a network of shared-use paths, sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes in Clarksville, helping connect businesses, neighborhoods and other destinations along the MD 108 corridor.

The improvements are part of a broader effort that includes streetscape projects associated with private development to create more connected and accessible routes along the corridor.

One proposal for MD 108 would add a two-way bike path separated from vehicle traffic by a physical barrier. Another option would create a raised path shared by pedestrians and bicyclists. The streetscape plans also include benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, trees and shrubs. Some of the space needed for these improvements could come from removing right-turn lanes along MD 108 and Ten Oaks Road.

The county is also designing an alternate bicycle route between MD 108 and I‑70. Changes made when MD 32 was widened eliminated bicycle access between the two roads, prompting the Maryland State Highway Administration to study alternative routes. The 2019 study identified a section of Ten Oaks Road between Brighton Dam Road and MD 108 as particularly challenging for bicyclists because they must share the roadway with vehicles.

As part of the alternate route, the county is proposing a raised shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists through Clarksville, along with bike lanes in both directions on Ten Oaks Road. The Ten Oaks Road section is referred to as Pinch Point 6, which Howard County is designing.

The county held a community information meeting at Claret Hall on Aug. 26 to present the latest designs and solicit public feedback. Design plans, maps, display boards and other materials from the meeting are available at the county’s Clarksville–River Hill Streetscape Improvements project webpage.

Although a survey to solicit public feedback was scheduled to close at the end of September, questions may be directed to Caitlin Kovel with DPW’s Transportation and Special Projects Division at 410‑313‑6142 or ckovel@howardcountymd.gov.

The construction schedule for the project has not yet been determined. Timing will depend on land acquisition, permitting and the availability of funding.

Claret Hall’s First Wedding Rental Celebrates Silver Anniversary

Twenty-five years after saying “I do” at Claret Hall, Dave and Jaclyn Miller returned to River Hill to celebrate another milestone: their 25th wedding anniversary.

The Millers were married at Claret Hall on Sept. 29, 2001—the first couple to be married there after the venue opened—and recently returned to the same location for their silver anniversary celebration.

“We were very excited to be able to celebrate our milestone at the place we got married,” said Jaclyn Miller.

The couple met in the Columbia area in 1999 and fell in love. When they began planning their wedding, they chose Sept. 29 as their wedding date—the same date they had first met.

“I don’t remember exactly how we found Claret Hall, but I remember feeling that it was exactly what we were looking for in a reception venue,” Jaclyn said. “The beautiful open floor plan, with a cozy sitting area and an outdoor area, were perfect for our special day.”

She added, “It was a wonderful evening and experience overall, and we’re so looking forward to celebrating 25 years in the location where we were first introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Miller.”

The Millers have remained in the area and now live near Arundel Mills mall. Their family has grown considerably since their wedding day. They have two sons in their 20s, a teenage daughter and a 1-month-old grandson. Two cats and two dogs round out the family.

The couple is also active in their local church, Mosaic Christian Church. In their free time, they enjoy taking dance lessons, with salsa, swing and Cuban dancing among their favorites.

Jaclyn teaches yoga in Columbia, Ellicott City and Elkridge, while Dave works for the federal government.