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This site features updates and information on projects for Baltimore Green Week all year long!
Check here often for our calendar of events, slideshows from projects and more...

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Check back here often to see updates about upcoming and past park events

Interactive Design Workshop with Parks & People!

Parks & People’s Monthly Greening Series:

Design Your Space

Saturday, July 12, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Brooklyn Church of God Resource Center
(3800 9th St., Brooklyn, MD 21225)

This interactive workshop will cover, step by step, how to plan your own neighborhood green space. Elements of the process such as site analysis, goals, and programming will be discussed. This will help participants develop and refine their design ideas. We will begin with a brief presentation of the design process indoors, and then move outdoors to practice the process on an actual lot. Each participant will be provided with a workbook to take home which can be used to aid in their community projects.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Molly Gallant:
410-448-5663 ext. 128 or molly.gallant@parksandpeople.org

Download a flyer here!

Festival Recycling Volunteers Needed!

From Cleaner Greener Baltimore:
We are in need of Volunteers! Mayor Dixon is truly committed to implementing key initiatives to build our city into a Cleaner Greener Baltimore and we need your assistance to accomplish this goal.

Festival Recycling is being launched for the first time ever throughout ArtScape’s Green Expansion area which will serve as our controlled environment.

Volunteers are needed specifically for monitoring the Trash/Recycle Stations to ensure proper education on recycling and trash disposal. You will have nice booths and snacks, and a free T-shirt. Trash/Recycling Station volunteer scope of work includes:

  • Pass out recycling literature, triage questions, guide visitors when disposing of their recycling/trash, and sustainable practices.
  • Pull full bags from the recycling bins and replace with a new and empty bag.
    All bags will be stored in/behind the recycling station until Solid Waste crews can come by to collect.
  • Volunteers will not remove the bags from the trash containers - Solid Waste crews will do this collected debris removal.

The following time slots are needed: (can be done in or 4 hour intervals)

  • Friday July 18th: 6pm-10pm
  • Saturday July 19th: 6pm-10pm
  • Sunday July 20th: Noon -8pm

Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt, drinks, and snacks during the hours that they volunteer.
Please contact Hope Williams, hope.williams@baltimorecity.gov or Quayshawn.Simmons@baltimorecity.gov, to sign up or for more information.

Become an Urban Weed Warrior!


Become an Urban Weed Warrior for Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.


This classroom training session will cover how to identify and control invasive plant species. Discover examples of invasives with a short walk through the park.


When? July 19, 2008, 9am-noon

Where? Herring Run Watershed Center, 3545 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21213


An optional, field-training session will be held on Saturday, August 2 at Chinquapin Run Park.


For more information or to sign up for the Urban Weed Warriors training sessions, please contact Elizabeth Concra at elizabeth.concra@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-0339.

Scavanger Hunt along the Canton Waterfront!

A Search & Discover Family Adventure: You're not searching for objects, but following cludes in search of answers to tricky questions! In small teams you will meander along the waterfront to "locate" items of interest related to the community, history and waterfront.

When? Saturday, July 19 (rain date: July 20), 10am
Where? Meet at Harris Creek Park, across Boston St. from the Safeway
Cost? $10 per person (children under 12 free)
Monies to benefit improvements to Harris Creek Park
Prizes for winning team
Reservations required... limited to 50 people
For information contact: 410-522-4991 or c.boitnott@verizon.net

This is the first of three scavenger hunts along the Waterfront Promenade
(Fells Point and Key Highway)
Sponsored by the Promenade Committee of the Waterfront Partnership.

Green Gatherings in the Park!

Come join the new Acting Director, Ms. Wanda S. Durden for an evening in the park! Share your ideas or concerns about Baltimore's open green spaces. Together, we can grow greener, cleaner, safer, and ultimately, healthier parks!

Wednesdays at 6:30pm.

  • July 16 (Patterson Park Pagoda)
  • July 30 (Clifton Park Mansion House)
  • August 6 (Hall Springs, Herring Run)
  • August 20 (Carroll Park Mansion House)
  • September 3 (Druid Hill Park, Chinese Pavilion)
  • September 17 (Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park - Cardin Pavilion)

For more information, please call us at (410) 396-7900 or visit us on the web at www.baltimorecity.gov/recnparks. See the flyer here.

Films on the Pier in Fells Point! More outdoor movie fun.


Thank you NCCC*Americorps!

Over the past 8 weeks, Recreation and Parks has been fortunate in co-hosting a fabulous team from NCCC*Americorps. They worked all throughout the city on park improvement projects, at the Carrie Murray Nature Center, the Washington Monument and more! They also were co-hosted by the Parks & People Foundation, the Herring Run Watershed Association, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy.

Thanks to the team members of Badger 4 - Jenn, Wesley, Zachary, Jordan, Kolb, Shelly, Tony, Shawn, Tonya and Travis - Baltimore is a bit more green. We wish them well as they head to Biloxi, MS for their next tour. Come back and visit!

Check out some pictures of the team transforming the Warwick Ave. Tot Lot:

BLOOM! Urban Forest Project Closing Exhibit


Herring Run Watershed Association - Native Berry Festival!


When? Saturday, June 21st, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.Rain date, Sunday, June 22, 12:00-4:00
Where? Herring Run Park at Belair Rd. (by the movie shed).
Cost? Free admission! Brewers Art beer, Andy Nelsons BBQ, berries, native trees/shrubs, and crafts will be on sale.
Bring? A dessert to enter into the contest! Native berries include cherry, blackberry, blueberry, elderberry, mulberry, strawberry, serviceberry, and raspberry


Join us for a merry berry day in the park! Eat finger-lickin BBQ, enjoy live bluegrass/folk music and cheer on competitors in a native berry dessert contest at the Native Berry Festival. Celebrity judges: Rob Kasper, the Baltimore Sun; Ann Kostlow, Sofia's Crepes; and Jeff Smith, Chameleon Cafe, will decide winners of the dessert contest.


  • Plenty of games and crafts for the kids

  • Local vendors selling their wears

  • Urban Forest Project exhibit: Spawning in Herring Run

  • Brewer's Art beer

  • Andy Nelson's BBQ

  • Native berries and plants for sale

Come socialize with fellow residents from our watershed's 50 neighborhoods.
The event is free and open to the public. Proceeds from BBQ, beer, and dessert sales will go towards the Herring Run Watershed Center. Bring your appetite!

Thames St. Park - Jazz in the Park!


An Evening of Jazz at Thames Street Park

Thursday, June 19, 20086pm - 9pm

Presented by:


  • Greenspace Action Partnership

  • John Steven, LTD.
Music By The Gary Thomas Trio




Bikers beat the heat during Tour Dem Parks!

Over 500 individuals participated in the 8th Annual Tour Dem parks this past Sunday, June 8. Despite the soaring temperatures, brave bikers chose routes that toured them through Baltimore's beautiful parks.

The Urban Forest Project and Fastspot added to the festivities at Carroll Park, bringing in Chipotle, Charm City Craft Mafia and other vendors and an area to create community leaves!

Keep an eye on the Tour Dem Park's website for more information for next year's ride.



Parks & People Grants!

Funding available!

Community Grants Application Training Workshops

These workshops will provide up-to-date information on Parks & People grant programs. Find out what we do and do not fund and get information, resources and suggestions. Staff contacts will be assigned at this time and will help you with your project ideas. Please bring your calendar with you to schedule a site visit with your staff contact.

Refreshments will be provided.

Dates and locations: Tuesday, June 10th, 6:00-8:00p.m. Location: HEBCAC headquarters, 901 N. Milton St.Baltimore, MD 21205 (use the entrance at Milton and Eager)

Thursday, June 12th, 6:00-8:00p.m. Location: Bon Secours Community Support Center, 26 N. Fulton Ave. Baltimore, MD 21223

We ask that all applicants send a representative to one workshop. Returning applicants are encouraged to send a representative who has not attended in the past. Space is limited!

RSVP by June 6th, 2008. Phone: 410-448-5663 ext. 111 Email: grants@parksandpeople.org

Baltimore's Sustainability's Commission wants to hear from you!


Do you care about…clean air and water? bringing new jobs to the city? our children’s future?


Now is the time to make your voice heard!


Baltimore City’s Sustainability Commission, chaired by BCF Director of Community Investment Cheryl Casciani, invites you to participate in a series of community conversations to discuss specific ideas in the following areas:
· Energy & Air
· Water
· Waste
· Green Infrastructure
· Built Environment
· Transportation
For meeting dates and times, or for more information on the Commission, go here.
Join the movement for a cleaner, greener, safer, healthier Baltimore and help develop the city’s Sustainability Plan! Tell all your friends and neighbors!

Baltimore City’s Sustainability Commission, chaired by BCF Director of Community Investment Cheryl Casciani, recently held its first public meeting. The Sun published an opinion piece by Kevin Zeese and Linda Schade on June 2nd about the meeting, which drew a standing-room-only crowd. You can read it here.

Summer Weed Camp in Herring Run Park!


Looking for a fun activity and to earn community service hours this summer? Then join the Herring Run Watershed Association for Summer Weed Camp! Help remove invasive species and help improve the ecology of the Herring Run.

· Great for ages 13+
· Get involved in the community
· Earn community service hours
· Volunteer 20 hours and become a certified Weed Warrior

Dates:
Wednesday, 6/11, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Saturday, 6/14 , 9:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday, 6/17, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Sunday, 6/29, 9:00am-1:00pm
Wednesday, 7/2 , 5:30pm-8:00pm
Tuesday, 7/8, 5:30pm-8:oopm
Saturday, 7/12, 9:00am-1:00pm
Wednesday, 7/16, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Tuesday, 7/22, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Saturday, 7/26, 9:00am-1:00pm
Thursday, 7/31, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Tuesday, 8/5, 5:30pm- 8:00pm
Saturday, 8/9, 9:00am-1:00pm
Thursday, 8/14, 5:300pm-8:00pm

Notes:
· Times and dates are subject to change
· Please RSVP no later than two days prior to desired event
· E-mail Mscherr@umd.edu or call Ashley Traut at 410-254-1577 with your name, number of volunteers, e-mail address and phone number

Call for submissions - Art on the Gwynns Falls Trail!

The organizers of the 7th Art on the Gwynns Falls Trail and the 2nd annual Media Sprout Festival invite artists, teachers, and performers from all backgrounds to submit proposals for sculptural, performative, and multimedia artworks.

For more information and application guidelines regarding the two events please see the documents attached to this email.

Timeline: Art on the Trail applications due 7/11, Media Sprout application due 8/1, Exhibit Opening & Media Sprout Festival 9/6.

Contact Ryan Patterson at the Parks & People Foundation at 410-448-5663 ext. 120 for more information.


7th Annual Baltimore City Golf Tournament - Success!

Over 120 golfers show their support for greenerbaltimore
Friday, May 30, 2008 provided beautiful weather for the golf teams and area businesses who came out in a wonderful show of support for Baltimore City parks and the greenerbaltimore program.

The gorgeous weather surely helped along the teams who competed for top placements, longest drives, shots closest to the pin and hole-in-ones!
This tournament helped to raise funds that will be used over the next year in projects to help improve our park system.
Thank you to all who played and donated - we truly value your support.

Pictures!



Find Your Leaf! This Weekend in Carroll Park!



Sunday, June 8, 12-4pm right after Tour Dem Parks

Food from Chipotle and a special arts and crafts sale featuring the Charm City Craft Mafia.
Participate and draw on one of the 8 commmunity leaves that will be up for auction.
154’ of leafs on the hillside to walk through. First chance to purchase a signature bag. First come, first serve


Fastspot presents, Find your leaf:

The local Baltimore interactive agency, Fastspot created an intuitive and interactive tool for drawing a leaf as their submission for Baltimore: The Urban Forest Project. The program enabled the ability to reach out and receive designs from all over the city and be able to experience Baltimore through the eyes of the community. Walk through our banner installation, put your mark on one of our leaves, or journey throughout the park to explore the rest of the designs. Enjoy the designs that the community created in Carroll Park!

» View Fastspot’s Drawing Tool

Like leaves, we are all unique and individual as people. What are your values and personality like? Are you family oriented? Perhaps you are eco-friendly? Find the leaf that best represents you and make your mark on it!

Join us in our venture to design one of 8 community leafs. Come to Carroll Park on June 8th and find that leaf that best suits your personality traits. Put your mark on it and meet someone new in the community who is similar to you!

Live Music by KB Drive
Scott Wilburn – Vocals
Sean Wilburn – Bass
Mike Trail – Guitar
Pete Ilenda – Guitar
Brent Wiedal – Drums

Tour Dem Parks, Hon!

We are proud to announce that Tour dem Parks, Hon! was recognized by One Less Car at the 11th Annual Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Symposium. The yearly bike ride won an award for being one of Baltimore City's most innovative projects which supports bike awareness and the city's adoption of the Bicycle Master Plan. Anne Draddy, from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, graciously accepted the award on behalf of an enthusiastic volunteer committee.

About TDP, Hon

Tour dem Parks, Hon! is an annual bike ride held on the second Sunday of June. The ride serves to acquaint both locals and visitors with Baltimore's many lovely green spaces and neighborhoods. Riders get an up-close view of large parks like Carroll, Clifton, Druid Hill, and Patterson as well as some quietly tucked away gems.

Participants can choose from 14 miles (a family ride on the Gwynn's Falls Trail), 20 miles, 40 miles, or a metric century (62.5 miles). The Tour is followed by a laid-back barbecue featuring live music.

Proceeds from the ride are donated to "friends of parks" groups and non-profit organizations affiliated with parks, greening, and bicycling. The 2007 ride netted $10,000, which was distributed among half a dozen organizations. Funds were used to paint the Jones Falls Trail mural, print literature for the Gwynn's Falls Trail, and more.

Comments from the 2007 ride

"…our first time on this ride and almost didn't to it because of the threat of rain but decided to forge ahead and wow! We will always do this ride. We had no idea the city had so many wonderful parks and neighborhoods. Can't wait till next year!"

"This was my fourth Tour. Rest and support stops are great. I will be back next year."

"Perfect family ride. My 6-year old and I did it on a tandem and loved it."

"Great ride. Excellent! Whoever mapped out the course did an excellent job."

Kick-off Meeting for Baltimore's Sustainability Plan!

Another cool Urban Forest Project Event!

You can volunteer for this event! Click here for more information!

greenerbaltimore
Supporting volunteer park service projects in Baltimore City parks
Department of Recreation and Parks

3001 East Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217
green@baltimorecity.gov
501(c)(3) account administered by the Baltimore City Foundation