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Walktober Walks in Long Reach
Thursday, October 29, 10am
Join Long Reach in participating in Walktober, a statewide initiative that encourages walking and highlights its many benefits. This is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the beautiful natural spaces throughout our community.
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October 29th: Kendall Ridge pathways in Kendall Ridge Neighborhood- Meet at Kendall Ridge Pool (8245 Tamar Drive)
Each guided walk will showcase different pathways, scenic spots, and points of interest right here in Long Reach. It’s a great opportunity to get outside, connect with neighbors, and appreciate what makes our village special.
Walks are free, and some require pre-registration. For more information and to register, visit longreach.org.
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Halloween Party
Saturday, October 24, 10:30am-Noon
Stonehouse
Join us for spooky family fun! Enjoy pumpkin decorating, a magic show, treats, and snacks!
No registration is required for this FREE event. Costumes are encouraged! The event is intended for children 10 years old and under; adult supervision is required. The event is scheduled to take place outdoors, unless inclement weather occurs. Visit longreach.org for more information.
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Long Reach Photo Contest
Deadline extended to October 19th!
Show us what you love about Long Reach! Submit a photo of Long Reach for a chance to win a prize and display your framed photograph at Stonehouse this Fall! An Awards Reception is scheduled for November 4, 2026, 6 -7 pm at Stonehouse.
Open to Long Reach residents. The deadline is 9 am on Monday, October 19, 2026. For contest rules and information, visit longreach.org.
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Long Reach Village-Wide Yard Sale
Saturday, October 10, 8am
Declutter your house this fall. On Saturday, October 10th, have a sale in your yard and we'll take care of the advertising!
We will list the participating streets in Long Reach on our website and our social media the day before the sale. To sign up, visit longreach.org.
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Holiday Greens
Friday, December 4, 7-9 pm
Stonehouse
Celebrate the season with an evening of creativity and good cheer. Craft your own winter centerpiece using fresh, natural materials while enjoying wine, beverages, and heavy hors d’oeuvres. All supplies are included, and our team will guide you with helpful tips.
21+ only • $65 per person • Non‑refundable
Seats are limited, and this event sells out quickly.
Reserve your ticket today at LRCA.eventbrite.com.
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Community Tree Planting
Wednesday, October 28th at 10am
Join the Columbia Association (CA) Sustainability Team and other neighbors to help plant native trees and remove non-native invasive plants from the Waiting Spring pond area in the Jeffers Hill Neighborhood of Long Reach.
All equipment will be provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring water and a hat.
All are welcome to participate. Meet at the Jeffers Hill Pool parking area (6031 Tamar Drive, Columbia) at 10 am. For more details and to register, visit columbiaassociation.org/communitytreeplanting.
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Join the RAC
Would you like to make connections in your community? Why not try volunteering with us? We are looking for a few more folks to serve on the Resident Architectural Committee (RAC). RAC members review and vote on applications for exterior changes that are submitted by Long Reach property owners. The time commitment is small, but the positive impact it has on your community is great.
The Committee meets every other Wednesday evening. For more details, email info@longreach.org or call the village office at 410-730-8113.
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Fall Art Classes for Youth and Teens
Columbia Art Center
Join us at the Columbia Art Center for creative, engaging youth art workshops! Explore the worlds of printmaking, painting, drawing, ceramics, and more.
Find all upcoming youth and teen art classes HERE!
Columbia Art Center - Visit us at columbiaassociation.org - email Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.org - or call 410-730-0075
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Free Bikes 4 Kidz Collection Day
Saturday, October 3, 9am-2pm
Any Howard County Fire Station
If you have a bicycle you no longer need, please stop by any Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services fire station next Saturday to donate your bike at FB4K’s donation spot.
Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) is a Howard County-based nonprofit that helps children ride into a happier, healthier, more independent life by giving away bikes to those in need. Each year, the organization collects thousands of bikes from the public, refurbishes them with help from hundreds of volunteers, and gives them away before the holidays to children referred to FB4K by schools, nonprofits, community associations, and government agencies.
To learn more about FB4K, visit fb4kmaryland.org.
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Annual Encore Showcase
Tuesday, October 6, 11am-2pm
Blandair Regional Park-North
Come celebrate Active Aging (50+) Week with Recreation & Parks at its Encore Showcase on the croquet lawn at Blandair Regional Park – North. This year’s event will feature mini fitness sessions, quick art projects, bocce and archery games, and giveaways.
While pre-registration is not required, it is recommended, especially if you are looking to receive event updates; to register, visit Recreation & Parks’ “Encore Showcase” SignUpGenius website.
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The BIG SHRED
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 9am-1pm
Howard County's Bureau of Environmental Services' fall document shredding event, The BIG Shred, returns Saturday, October 17th. County residents can bring up to three bags or boxes of vital documents to be shredded securely on-site at one of the following locations:
- North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
- Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD-97, Cooksville
- Elkridge Landing Middle School, 7085 Montgomery Road, Elkridge
- Long Gate Park & Ride, 4951 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City
To learn more about The BIG Shred, including what items are and are not accepted, please visit the Bureau's “Document Shredding” website.
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Beech Leaf Disease
Beech leaf disease, or BLD, has been confirmed in Howard County and is spreading statewide. It can affect both American beech trees and ornamental European and Oriental beech trees. The disease is linked with a tiny invasive roundworm called a foliar nematode, which enters developing leaf buds and damages leaves before they fully grow. Read on to learn about Columbia Association’s response to tree protection and how residents can contribute.
The earliest and most recognizable symptom is a series of dark green bands between the veins of a beech leaf. These bands are easiest to see by standing beneath the branch and looking upward through the leaves toward the sky.
As the disease progresses, residents may also notice:
- Thickened, leathery or puckered leaves
- Curled or distorted foliage
- Smaller leaves and fewer healthy buds
- Premature leaf drop
- Dead twigs, thinning branches, or an increasingly sparse canopy
Symptoms may first appear on just one part of the tree, often in the lower branches. Over time, repeated damage makes it harder for the tree to grow healthy leaves. This can cause branches to die, the tree to weaken, and eventually die. Younger trees may decline faster, while larger trees may survive several years after symptoms appear.
For more information on the steps Columbia Association is taking and how to report beech trees with suspected BLD symptoms, visit columbiaassociation.org.
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Cul-de-sac Landscaping Grants
Want to spruce up your street’s cul-de-sac? We can help!
If your plan is approved, we will provide up to $200 to purchase plant materials. To be eligible, you must live on a county-dedicated road with a cul-de-sac island. You and your neighbors must agree to develop, plant, and maintain the landscaping plan. The grants are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, visit longreach.org.
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Deer Management
This fall, Columbia Association (CA) will conduct five controlled archery hunts in select areas of Columbia to help address the overpopulation of white-tailed deer and protect the health of our natural areas.
The hunts, scheduled to begin in October, are the first step in a measured approach to managing Columbia’s deer population. For more information, visit this link.
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Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods
Located in downtown Columbia and home to the Chrysalis Amphitheater, Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods offers a variety of events and cultural experiences throughout the warmer months. Many are free and family-friendly. Events are happening now! See the lineup - visit innerarbortrust.org to learn more.
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Open Space Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions or concerns about Columbia Association Open Space areas, contact CA Open Space directly by calling 410-312-6330 or by emailing Open.Space@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
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Asking All The Questions
Remember, the county's email is always available for inquiries, including questions about county services, events, or support resources. For information or assistance, simply send your questions to ask@howardcountymd.gov.
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Let Howard County Know
Report water main breaks, broken street signs, and more on Howard County's mobile app and website Tell Hoco. Residents can report non-emergency issues which the county will assign to the responsible department. Simply download the TellHoCoApp on your mobile phone or visit howardcountymd.gov/tell-hoco.
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District 2 Community News
Opel Jones, Howard County Council Member for District 2, represents the Village of Long Reach and advocates for its residents. For more information about your district and to sign up for District 2 updates, visit howardcountymd.gov/districts.
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Upcoming Meetings
Board of Directors
The next Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm. Meeting information is available online here.
Resident Architectural Committee (RAC)
The next RAC meeting will be held on October 14, 2026, at 7 pm via Zoom. Meeting agendas and meeting results are available here.
CARES
The Long Reach Community Action and Resources for Environmental Stewardship (CARES) will be held on October 15, 2026 at 7 pm. Meeting information is available online here.
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Long Reach Community Association
6110 Foreland Garth
Columbia, MD 21045
410-730-8113
longreach.org
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