written by Dick Russel (excerpts from the complete story available at www.ardenrecreation.org)

The origin of Arden Recreation goes back to the Arden Civic Association meeting of March 21, 1969. The
minutes of that meeting include the following: “Mr. Trask requested information about the possibility of a Little League team for the community. He agreed to serve as chairman of a committee to investigate this idea. He will be assisted by Mr. Dean as co-chairman, and Mr. Russell, Mr. Sparhawk and Mrs. Couch.” And so,seeded with $200 from the ACA, Arden Recreation was born from an interest by Don Trask.

The April 1969 issue of the NEWSBUOY announced the planning stages for an Arden sports program and that boys and parents with the desire to participate should contact Dick Russell or Skip Dean. This was the first of many player registrations to follow.

That first year was a bit rough, literally. At least half of every practice was dedicated to raking furrows from the field (now field #1) to provide a place to play. Jimmy Goode, with his front loader, helped carve out a diamond from a spot which two years prior had been farmed to put potatoes on the table at the Crownsville State Hospital. By 1969, the area was leased by a local farmer who was gracious enough to allow the use of one corner. Over the years, the farmers have allowed us to expand to provide for an ever growing program. In stages, AA county eventually leased or purchased the Arden Rec baseball fields from the state hospital.

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Very early in 1974, with cold fields and chilly winds, Jake Bahner fielded the first Arden soccer team of older boys. They played in a cold Baltimore city outdoor winter league. Unfortunately, due to illness in Jake’s family, he was unable to return the following year. Arden would have to wait a couple more years for a rebirth of soccer. Another first for the year was the formation of a youth bowling league started by R. J. Jubb which met on Saturday mornings at the lanes on route 170 in Odenton. This was also the year for the introduction of basketball. Using Millersville elementary school for practices, four boys teams, ranging from 8 to 16 year olds began Arden’s interest in basketball. The men of the community also formed a small informal “pick-up” league. With finances needing a boost, Barb Russell and Nancy Lupton began running a monthly bingo game which would operate for two years. Thanks to Ken Davis and Liz Tolodziecki, the spring Arden Rec carnival at the ballfield was also born in ’74. These carnivals would become an annual event until 1982. Girls softball grew to four teams and a clinic along with the women’s team. The men formed an informal softball league with each section of Arden having its own team. Sampling new experiences, an 8-10 baseball team played within the Greater Glen Burnie (GGB) sports league. The 14-16 baseball team was playing tournament ball in Bowie and the county bacon was brought home for the first time. The 10-12 baseball team, coached by Dave Lupton was AA county champ while Jerry Tolodziecki’s 8-10 team was county runner-up. In all, there were seven baseball teams including two in community leagues and a clinic team. In this busy year, new players joining their friends included Ted Herrell, Jeffrey Smyers, Duane Merkel, Richard Bevins, Carolyn and Gail Roberson, Janet Selckman, Tammy Trask, Kelcey Jubb, Chip and Bill Lupton and Suzanne Dame.

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Soccer grew to four teams in 1977 as the sport gained in popularity. Players and spectators joined in a bus ride to the Capital Center to see the U.S. play the PRC. Baseball fielded five teams and a clinic while there were two girls and a women’s softball team. The basketball program consisted of two teams. Players getting into the action included Joe Bellotte, Heather Fields, Anne Serio, Patty Otten, Lou Naylor and John Langley.

Once again in 1978, the enthusiasm of soccer could not wait for the fall season. A hearty team attempted an AA County winter league but met with mostly snowed out games. Five teams played in the regular fall season. Boys and girls continued to play together on the younger teams while Joel Susano coached the first all girls team in the 14-17 bracket. This was also the year in which two teams first represented Arden Rec in the annual Linthicum – Ferndale soccer tournament. Five baseball, a clinic, a women’s and two girl’s softball teams took to the fields in ’78. Basketball grew to four teams. Among the new and returning athletes were Melanie Russell, Jan Lundstrom Andrea Dushaw, Craig Curtin, Marty Shacochis, Robbie Jenkins and Michelle Merkel.

Winter soccer opened another year of activity in 1979 with Rhett Wojciechowski and Ted Herrell taking teams to Latrob field in the Baltimore City league. Men’s softball, whose pick-up games had mostly disappeared, was ready for a boost which was provided by Bob Yurwitz. He organized a team which would play a regular schedule within the county. Men’s softball, joining with the already established women’s softball, was on its way to becoming a permanent attraction at the ballfields. On the down side, this was the last year of the youth bowling league. In youth play, five baseball teams, a clinic and two softball teams represented Arden Rec. Fall soccer had six teams and basketball had four. Julie Rhodes, Ray Gill, Kenny Fink, Matt Summers, Jon Clayton, Jason Lowe, Renaldo Johnson and Jim Yurwitz are just a few of the player names to be remembered.

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Arden Park is currently undergoing a renovation: renewing fencing , lighting and play grounds. These projects are made possible by the guidance of Jeff Levy , President of Arden Rec. and the Anne Arundel co. Parks and Rec. Dept.

Although the first teams were predominately filled with Arden youth, neighboring communities have long helped swell the ranks with players and coaches. Without this broad base, many programs would have failed due to insufficient numbers. Participants from the Generals Highway area, Crownsville, Waterbury, Herald Harbor, Palisades, Rolling Knolls, Gambrills, Indian Landing, Annapolis , Millersville and Arden have built what we know of as Arden Recreation. As time passes, a greater awareness of service to the whole mid-Arundel area is being enthusiastically approached.

In general, Arden Recreation is in a very healthy state as it passed its thirty year anniversary.

It has been particularly encouraging to see players such as Terry Trask, Allen Ballentine, David Wojcieclowski, Mike Koslowski, Charlie Russell, Sonny and Melanie Dean, John Murphy, Art Saumenig, Janet Selckman and Lorri Pasden return as adults to coach upcoming youngsters. Thanks to many volunteers and the joyful participation of many youth, the programs have enhanced our quality of life and provide a strong basis on which to build the future.