Washington Blvd (Rt1 - Rt95) Closure March 2012

 

CITY OF BALTIMORE  Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Khalil Zaied, Director

                                                                                                      

	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 13, 2012		Contact:  Adrienne Barnes                         Kathy Chopper     (410) 361-9296

 

 Traffic Advisory

Washington Boulevard Closure

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists that a portion of Washington Boulevard will temporarily close for utility work.  Starting at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012 and continuing until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2012, Washington Boulevard will be closed to through traffic from I-95 to Monroe Street with detours in effect, weather permitting.       

Detour signs will be posted in the area and local access will be maintained during construction.   Motorists traveling in this vicinity may experience delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation:

“Keeping Baltimore Moving Safely”

Softball Throwdown: Ridgely's Delight vs Pigtown

The teams need players!

 Here's the quick and dirty from the Citizens of Pigtown website:

Where: Carroll Park Softball Fields

When: Saturday, August 20, 10:30 am (games begin at 11am) to 2pm-ish

What to bring: If you’re playing, bring your glove and a bat if you have one. Also, spectators and players alike, bring a dish for the potluck cookout and some meat for the grill.

Sign up: If you want to play for Pigtown, email Peter at pmurr002@gmail.com

 Check out COP's post for more info!

Art & Fitness Celebration in Carroll Park

This Saturday.  6-8pm.  Be there.  

Please visit the Friends of Carroll Park blog post for all the info!

Neighborhood Pit Bull Day July 10, 2011 10am-2pm

Flier and Event by Best Friends Animal Society.

Please share this event with friends and neighbors!  Click here to download the flier for distribution.

If you call their toll free number, it provides more information.  A few smart things that they mentioned are:

- Children are to be supervised by an adult at all times

- Dogs should attend the event on a non-retractable leash, handled by an adult

- If your dog is nervous around other pets and people, please contact the organization through the toll-free number for separate assistance

- Registration is required, and takes place during the event hours, on site

- Free and/or low cost veterinary assistance will be available

- Food, treats, and toys will be given at the event

- Crates will be available for doggie breaks

- Please pick up after your dog.  Bags will be available at the event.

Pit bulls are known for being the most tolerant breed, and therefore considered America's Nanny Dog, and in fact the national breed of the United States!  They can be difficult to adopt because many home owners insurance companies forbid them.  State Farm and Travelers are two that I know do not.  While I'm talking the breed up, I should mention that dogs will not be for sale at the event. But it is a great opportunity for owners to get affordable products and services for their dogs, and be stewards for positive pit bull ownership.  Pass it on!

Civil War History with the 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry

 

An organization of Union living historians dedicated to the preservation of history and honoring the men who served during the Civil War

The First Maryland Infantry, U.S. was founded on the grounds of Carroll Park .  June 18, 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of the presentation of unit's flag. Colonel John Kenly assumed command of the regiment and received “a flag from the patriotic ladies of West Baltimore .” This one-day encampment will present demonstrations of Civil War camp life, circa 1861.

Schedule for Saturday July 9, 2011

(times are approximate)

                                          10:00 am                Guard mount

                                          11:00 am                Equipment & uniforms of the war

                                          12:00 pm                Musket firing demonstration

                                          1:00 pm                  Mail call

                                          2:00 pm                  Mustering in ceremony flag presentation

                                          3:15 pm                  Company drill

Field music by the Fort McHenry Fife and Drum Corps Guard in Civil War attire, will be heard throughout the day as well as typical camp life activities when other activities are not scheduled. Please feel free to come into camp, look around and ask questions. 

Book Signing by Civil War historian, Dan Toomey, throughout the day.

                       Family Day Activity at the Mount Clare Stable

From 11 – 2pm at the Mount Clare Stable a costumed interpreter will demonstrate using a “Civil War Trunk” filled with period reproductions relating to a soldiers life and a citizens life to engage both children and adults about the affect of this conflict.  Children may also take part in a Flag making craft and present their colors to the infantry at Camp Carroll at the 2 o’clock ceremony in front of the mansion.

All activities are free and open to the public.  Free Parking.

 

Carroll Skatepark - Upcoming Events

 

All events are posted to the Pigtown Happens Calendar.  Add it to your calendar client to stay up to date!

Carroll Park Events and others: Saturday June 4, 2011

Rebuilding Day Recap
Check out the great job that was done on Carroll Park's skatepark on Rebuilding Day!   I was super impressed!  The Skatepark of Baltimore teamed up with volunteers from Rebuilding Together Baltimore, the Department of Recreation and Parks, Americorps, Cricket Wireless, and 92Q.com to paint Carroll Park on April 30^th 2011.

Photo courtesy of Skatepark of Baltimore

Next, I wanted to share the exciting news:
FoCP received two grants from the Parks & People Foundation.  The Community Greening Grant was awarded to Ms. Edith Nelson for planting and beautification of the Tot Lot located at Carroll and Archer Streets.  The award was for $546.00.  Planting day was Saturday, May 14th.



The Partnership for Parks Grant was awarded to FoCP for Art and Fitness in Carroll Park.
This monies ($1,798) will help paint a mural on the west side of the PAL Center located near the Skate Park in Carroll Park, a Free Concert in the park on Saturday, July 30th with other games and t-shirt decorating starting at 6:00 pm. and the making of a new sign for the Fitness Trail in Carroll Park.  Recreation and Parks has waived the permit fee and is supplying portable restrooms free of charge.  Thanks Department of Recreation and Parks!
(Thank you Gloria for that news!)



The following are all events going on this Saturday, June 4th 2011
National Trails Day
Baltimore’s First Citywide
National Trails Day

Attend one or more of 20 free family friendly events on any Baltimore trail in parks, along streams, the harbor and reservoirs. Bike, run, walk, learn how to row, or improve a trail: Discover birds, nature and history, explore a stream, or find a treasure:

• Ashburton Reservoir/ Hanlon Park
• Carroll Park
• Cylburn Arboretum
• Druid Hill Park, Reservoir and Jones Falls Trail
• Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park and Gwynns Falls Trail
• Inner Harbor and Mt. Vernon
• Herring Run Park
• Middle Branch Park
• Montebello Reservoir
• Patterson Park
• Solo Gibbs Park
• Stony Run Trail
• Wyman Park Dell

For detailed information and contacts: See our websites after May 29th: http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=21
http://baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/RecreationandParks/Events.aspx
www.gwynnsfallstrail.org
A partnership project with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, the Baltimore Trail Collaborative (BTC) and the American Hiking Society
With thanks to PNC Bank and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and REI

National Trails Day Events in Carroll Park
1-3 PM  
Friends of Maryland Olmsted Parks and Landscapes take a guided walk and explore the history of Carroll Park with an emphasis on the effect the Olmsted Brothers landscape designers had on the park. The Tour will be led by member, Myra Brosius, who, through her expert work as a former City planner and developer of the Carroll Park Master Plan, is intimately familiar with the history of Carroll Park.

The Carroll Mansion, this National Register Historic Landmark, was built in the 1770's as a summer home and plantation. It is the oldest building in the City. Loving care has been given by the Colonial Dames of America to restore it's inside to the looks of its early days.
Here is an excerpt from the Museum's web site about the estate's more recent history as it relates to the Olmsted influence::.." In 1890 the Carroll heirs sold the house and 20 acres to the City of Baltimore Park Commission for use as a public park. The Park Commission pursued more acreage expanding the park to 36 acres. In 1903, the firm of Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects was hired to make improvements to Baltimore's park lands. Work began in Carroll Park in 1904 and today many of the Olmsted features are still in existence."
Carroll Park is maintained by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Reservation required, contributions suggested.
Contact hgrundot@aol.com,410 945 0586.
www.olmstedmaryland.org
rain or shine

Noon-1PM  

Attend a Civil War lecture in the stable sponsored by Mount Claire Museum House from 12
 Visit the mansion before or after the walk.
Reservation and fees required see website: www.mountclare.org

call for availability /registration 410.837.3262  info@mountclare.org
Tour the mansion  (about 1 hour) before or after the walk. Open until 4 PM,  discounted  admission fee available for tour attendees or on their web site: www.mountclare.org)
 


Events with Friends of Carroll Park

8 AM-12 Noon
Carroll Park Tot Lot Walk-a-Thon, at 1500 Washington Blvd., Gwynns FallsTrail.

Noon

Community Picnic at noon at 700 Archer Street Tot Lot.
Contact: Edith Nelson, 410 752-6342, contributions suggested
www.friendsofcarrollpark.blogspot.com
Raindate:  Saturday  June11 same place and time.


Other Attractions
 10AM-4PM
Visit the nearby B&O Rail Road Museum
http://www.borail.org


6pm-12am
Gallery 21g (782 Washington Blvd)
Closing Reception featuring work by Stefan Ways, Dan Everett, and Rob Schachter.
Music/Booz/Chaos/Violence
Check facebook event for details

Quick Recap on local news

The construction going on at sidewalk intersections is to create handicap ramps at all corners.  This will bring our area up to code, and provide better accessibility to all Pigtown residents and visitors.  Glad to hear it, since most wheel chairs I see in town are cruising down the street.  That's not very safe!

Business News:
Perfecto, the coffee shop at 784 Washington Blvd, has gone out of business.  I'm not sure what the issue was exactly, but there seemed to be only one employee, and after he resigned it looks like the owner threw in the towel.
Steel Drum Cafe, the bar/restaurant at 771 Washington Blvd, does not have an "out of business" sign, but their doors were closed this weekend when they would normally be open.  I heard they had been that way for a few days at least. 


Political News:
Adam Van Bavel and Bill Marker are a couple of local boys running for a city council seat.  Please be sure to check them out and consider who you would like representing you!  Remember, if you're not making these decisions, someone else is making them for you.  This goes for being more involved in your community as well.
It looks like the new council district zones will take effect after the new election.  Until then, Pigtown remains in 3 different districts. 
Here they are helping out at Pigtown's Rebuilding Day:

Bill Marker

Adam Van Bavel

Rebuilding Day went very well.  Thanks to Amanda Malone of Rebuilding Together Baltimore for helping with that!  You can check out a few pictures from that event as well as the Housewerks Tag Sale, and Gallery 788 Flea Market on Pigtown Main Street's Facebook photo album and Pigtown Fan's Facebook photo album.  Lots of things were going on this weekend!


Events News:

• Tuesday May 3rd at 7pm there will be a Friends of Carroll Park meeting at Wayman's AME Church, 1307 Washington Blvd.
• Thursday May 5th 6-10pm there will be a gallery opening at Gallery 788 (and I'm guessing 21g as well, which is just two doors down), 788 Washington Blvd.  They tend to be quite the event, so check it out!!
• Tuesday May 10th at 7pm there will be a Citizens of Pigtown (COP) community meeting at the bath house, 904 Washington Blvd.  Enter through the side door.
• Saturday May 14th, and Saturday May 28th there will be a neighborhood cleanup with Washington Village Development Association (WVDA).  Meet at 9:30am at the interesection of W Cross & Washington Blvd.
• Thursday May 19th there will be a Southern District Community Meeting at the Southern District Police Station on 10 Cherry Hill Rd.  There is free food.  Just go.  It's delicious.  And informative.

All of these events are on the PigtownHappens calendar.  Check the calendar for your nearby Citizens on Patrol walk, where the natives stroll around with an officer. 

May is National Bike Month!  Feel free to participate in Baltimore's Bike Challenge!  There are events throughout the whole month.  Bike To Work Day is May 20th, and there will be a Carroll Park station set up with refreshments for those pedaling commuters at the corner of Monroe & Washington Blvd.  Check the map for other stops on your way to work:

View 2011 Bike To Work Day Stations in a larger map

Friends of Carroll Park Meeting 3/1/2011

My first real post!  I'm just going to dive in here.

I attended a Friends of Carroll Park meeting the other day.  It was at the request of my buddy Adam, who was representing the city's Rec & Parks department for a community presentation.  

"Don't ask a bunch of questions" he warned me, jokingly.

"Don't give me any ideas!"

I'd been in his shoes before.  It's not easy to work on something only to have an audience feed off of your nervousness and tear your presentation apart, second guessing every idea.  Not that that happened.  Adam did a wonderful job.  But I was glad to be there to harass him.  And extra motivation was appreciated.  I need to get off my butt and go to more community meetings.

I walked up to the church at 1307 Washington Blvd and was greeted at the door.  The kind gentleman showed me where the meeting was taking place in a back partitioned room.  It was a small group.  Four of those in the room were there to give a presentation.  Two were with Mount Claire's historical society, one from the Gwynns Falls Trails group.  The last five, myself included, were there specifically for the Friends of Carroll Park (we'll call it FoCP for short) group.  Though the three ladies from the other groups seemed just as invested in FoCP.

Gloria reported some internal announcements.

She applied for grant money to replace the fitness signage in the park, a mural in the skate park that reads "Carroll Park", and a concert in the park.  A suggestion came up about establishing a standard grant template, so that grants can be filled out more easily.  Often grants go unsubmitted due to time and effort requirements.  

There is a fundraiser by The Power House Church this monday at the Landsdowne Chick-fil-A.  Money will go to help send an area child to summer camp!  See the calendar for details. 

Amanda Malone from Rebuilding Together Baltimore presented first.  

They are planning for Rebuilding Day 2011, which falls on April 30th.

They will be work on 10-15 homes in the Pigtown area, and 10-15 homes in St Helena in the county.  They are looking for people in the community to plan or lead projects.

      Possible projects include:

• Dog Stations
• Clean Up w Educational Piece
• Stencil Drain Inlets - Warning not to dump
• A Small Mural on the concrete wall at the Tot Lot
• 1172 Carroll Street - New Mural
• Repaint Skate Park Bowl - want to use the kids who play there to paint and pick up trash to establish a sense of ownership.
• Replace the Welcome to Pigtown Sign in front of the mural in the 700 block of Wash Blvd... (where did it go?)
• Clean up at intersection of Archer & Wash Blvd so you can see the mural

Please contact Amanda if you are interested in volunteering your time!  Donations are also welcome on their website.

Baltimore City Recreation & Parks went next.

Adam Boarman presented the new lighting plan for the park:

Carroll Park Plan; By Baltimore City Recreations & Parks Dept

Washington Blvd is at the bottom of the plan, and train tracks at the top.  The light spread of the fixtures is shown in a transparent yellow.  The lighting plan shows the new proposed multi-purpose soccer field, and field house.  The multi-purpose field will replace the under-utilized rear ball fields.  Images from the Architect are below.  The stairs in the image below lead down south to the 4 existing ball fields.  A survey of surrounding homes concluded that residents were comfortable having the lights on no later than 11pm, though 10pm will likely be the realistic cut off.

Front View of Field House; By Hord Coplan Macht

The field house will be mostly  open, with covered seating & picnic area.  Main locked storage will be on one side (the brick structure), and rest rooms and concessions.

Is here a good spot for a personal story?  Sure.  Why not.  At around the age of 5 maybe, I went to my brother's baseball game, which only had porta-potties.  Like a well taught child, I wanted to wash my hands afterward.  I complained to my mom when I got out that the sink had soap, which I put all over my hands, but I couldn't find the faucet.  Turned out that sink was a urinal... and the soap was a urinal cake.  Had we had such a nice field house as this one, maybe this wouldn't have happened.  The concession stand people were nice enough to let my panicked mother scrub my hands profusely in their sink.  Dear parents... make your child wise to the world of the other sex's bathroom habits, the embarrassment you save may be your own... or something.

Back to topic! 

Back Side of Field House; By Hord Coplan Macht

That large gray area that looks like parking lot...  probably just unplanned in the image.  Don't worry about that.  The architect is only focusing on the building, not the site in this image.  See the overall lighting plan for the Landscape Architect's view of the site around the field house. 

Some issues that came up in the meeting were concerns over the field house materials, but the Architect was not present, so it could not be addressed.  A burglar alarm is not planned.  All entry doors will be locked, and bathrooms will be closed at night.

Carroll Park Main Entrance Plan & Elevation; By Baltimore City Recreations & Parks Dept

This plan proposes narrowing down the entry drive to 22' (two 11' lanes, which is an average lane width), and a small pull-off to to the right.   This gives the driver a chance to see a park directory, find their way safely, and remain out of the flow of traffic until finding their destination.  This is a great asset to first-time or infrequent visitors.   Eventually more signage will be included throughout the park, similar to the standard signage being applied in Druid Hill Park. A comment arose about providing a sidewalk connection to the sign.  It is a very good point.  

The elevation shown below the plan view, lines up with a view from Washington Blvd into the park.  The new entry feature is designed to fit the historic character of the mansion, and make the road more obvious to passing visitors.  The design is two square brick monuments, connected by an undulating metal picket fence.  

Finally, Ivan Leshinsky presented a plan for the Sowebo 5k.  

This will be the inaugural event, beginning in Hollins Market, traveling into Pigtown, through Carroll Park, and ending at a Health Fair in Union Square Park.  Check out the website for more details, as well as donor and volunteer opportunities.  The event will October 2, 2011 starting at 9am.  The idea is to raise awareness about childhood obesity and get visitors to hit up our local landmarks.

Want to come out for next meeting?  Hit up the calendar and copy it to your own!  First Tuesday of every month at 1307 Washington Blvd.