Oct 12, 2008 7:00 pm US/Eastern
Towson Park Dedicated To Md. Olympic Athletes
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ―
A small area of land with a large symbolic meaning will be the site of an Olympic park in Towson. The park will be dedicated to the achievements of Maryland's Olympic athletes.
Tim Williams explains the park will also help area merchants cash in on Michael Phelps.
It may look like just an empty lot, but the development plan for the small grassy section just off Joppa Road at Towson's traffic circle is of Olympic proportions.
Baltimore County will re-dedicate it to Olympic champions. Towson Circle Park on York Road will be known as Baltimore County Olympic Park.
It is named to honor all of Maryland's Olympic heroes. Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith presented eight-time gold medalist Michael Phelps with the artist's rendering.
"Pretty soon we'll put a sign up. Then we'll be looking at doing landscaping. And then we'll be looking at recognition for the athletes and we're going to start with the number one guy, Michael Phelps," said Smith.
The Olympic games have become a benefit for Maryland in more ways than one. Business owners who watched the games here in Towson never thought they'd be able to capitalize financially on Phelps.
Down the block at Chili Man Weiners and across the street at Sweet Lela's Cafe, the promise of more foot traffic to Olympic Park has merchants optimistic.
"It's been a little slow. Part of it is the economic situation right now. Other than that, we're hoping to get some more business out of it," said Tom Zilke with Chili Man Weiners.
"Eight golden medals is not everyday. It's pretty cool, and will help not just us but everybody in Towson," said Margherita Di Ferrante, Sweet Lela's Market Cafe.
County Executive Jim Smith guarantees the park will be completed by 2010 because that will be the end of his current term in office.
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