Friends of Carroll Park

Meeting Notes from January 3, 2012

2012-01-20T17:29:00.001-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Updates:

Tot Lot Christmas Party: Held Dec. 10^th at Mobtown Ballroom (old St. Paul’s Church) We thank Michael and Nina for their generosity. There were over 100 children + parents;. a clown making balloon art and face painting;. gift bags, a special drawing for bikes was held and hotdogs and hamburgers along with homemade cupcakes. All the children received hats and gloves. There were many other toys and books for the taking.

Tree Planting at C.P. Golf Corse: On Wednesday, Dec. 21^st at 9:00 a.m. the Department of Environment donated a live Christmas tree that was planted that day. Joe Burch (District Park Manager), Adrian Diaczk and others (MDE), Edith Nelson and Gloria Pestridge (FoCP) were among those who took part in the planting.

New Business:

Treasurer’s Report

Parks & People Grants: Valerie Shane will schedule site visit for bike racks to be placed near/next to new field house/pavilion. A letter of intent has been submitted. Grant is due Jan. 27^th.

Discuss cost, how many, etc. It may be possible to get bike racks for free. Christina is checking on that. Instead we decided it might be good to replace the two sections of St. Charles Fence surrounding the playground that were taken out by a car.

Paul's Place: is currently preparing for their 2012 Spring Health and Wellness event on April 28th. The team is reaching out to partners to get an idea of how they can best engage the families here in Washington Village/Pigtown….here are proposals- 1.) Have RTB feature 2011 beatification projects in a pre-event walk/run A-Thon -9:30am-10:45am 2.) Solicit Friends of Carroll Park to facilitate a post-event tour of the Walk ability map-2:00pm-3:00pm. Meeting on January 6, 10:30 am at Paul’s Place. FoCP will be represented at this meeting.

Rebuilding Together Baltimore: Amanda Malone…last year RTB did many projects here in Pigtown. Painting the skatepark, a TotLot mural, a mural at Scott St., planting vacant lots, home improvements and much more. The building day this year will be Saturday, April 28^th. There was discussion on beautifying the lot at Carroll and Ostend this year.

Dog Park: Christina Bradley There are many people who walk their dogs in the park. It was suggested that there might be a place to the west of the southern part of the playground area. This may be a good thing for the neighborhood and the park. There could be doggie bags made available. More work will be done to determine if and where one could be located.

Holiday Project: A suggestion was made to have some lights in the park, maybe on the hill. There will need to be an electric source. Hopefully from the new field-house/pavilion. Also, having kids make wreaths from pine cones, etc. that are found in the park. Suggestions are welcome.

Next meeting: February 7^th

See you then!

Summer Concert Pictures

2012-01-20T17:25:00.000-05:00

We had a great time this past July with the Friends of Carroll Park concert event!

Gloria, President, headed up the Friends of Carroll Park booth.

Eric Jackson joined us with a booth for Baltimarket.

Smooth Teaze 8 had a great time, and got people moving with their old-school acapella doo wop sound!

Many people took a seat to enjoy friends, shade, and good music.

The DIY "Pigtown Kids" t-shirts were a hit for people of all ages!

A new mural was painted the same day on the west side of the PAL Center.

All-in-all it was a great day, and lots of fun! Please join us next year :)

Tree Planting in C. P.

2011-12-29T13:11:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, Dec. 21^st at 9:00 a.m. the Department of Environment donated a live Christmas tree that was planted that day in the Carroll Park Golf Course. Joe Burch (District Park Manager), Adrian Diaczok and others (MDE), Edith Nelson and Gloria Pestridge (FoCP) all took part in the planting. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.

Free Concert in Carroll Park!

2011-07-09T13:18:00.001-04:00

FREE CONCERT!

Help the Friends of Carroll Park celebrate "Art and Fitness in Carroll Park"

Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Carroll Park at Washington Blvd. and Bayard St. Concert starts a 7:00 pm.

Back by popular demand "SMOOTH TEAZE 8" Bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit back and enjoy the old time sounds of this sensational Acapella Doo-Wop group! And, Abraham Pinky the Pigtown Pig will be there!
Watermelon slices 25 cents Sodas/water and a small chips $2.00

But that's not all!

Show up at 6:00 pm and kids can decorate a "PIGTOWN KIDS" t-shirt for a $1.00. Or Come a little earlier in the day and take a walk around the Fitness Trail located at the west end of the park near Monroe St. and Washington Blvd. OR walk over to the PAL Center (next to the skate-park) located at Bayard and Herkimer Sts. and take a look and the new "CARROLL PARK" mural being painted under the direction of Stefan Hauswald.

Rain Plan: If it should rain the concert and t-shirt decoration will take place at the Power House Church located 1352 James St. (across Bayard St. from the park)

2011-05-19T16:15:00.004-04:00

National Trails Day is June 4th!

Come, sign up and walk for the 5th Annual "TOT LOT" Walkathon & Celebration! Starting location will be at the Fitness Trail in Carroll Park (near the basketball courts) from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Two and one-half times around equals ONE MILE. We welcome all pledges and particapants. Proceeds go to Tot Lot Christmas Bazaar for community children. A FREE Community Cookout will be had after the walk 1:00 p.m. at the Tot Lot on Carroll and Archer Streets. For information call Ms. Edith Nelson 410-752-6342 or Ms. Pat Blake 410-625-3936.

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

(Attend a Civil War lecture (Significant contributions of African American Union Sailors during the Civil War) in the stable sponsored by Mount Claire Museum House from 12 Noon-1PM. Visit the mansion before or after the walk. Reservation and fees required call 410-837-3262 or visit their website: ww.mountclare.org)

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

New Developments with FoCP!

2011-04-06T12:26:00.002-04:00

Please be sure to check out our new Facebook page! Link is over on the right!

April 5, 2011 Meeting Summary

New Business

Open Gates Community Health

Ms. Pheobe Wilson from Open Gates presented on a program being offered to Pigtown moms. The Healthy Moms/Healthy Babies program works with new and expectant mothers in providing a range of assistance from cribs and home-safety supplies to immunization and WIC assistance. For more information contact Open Gates at 410-467-6040

April 30th Cleanup

Rebuilding Together Baltimore will be held on Saturday April 30, 2011. FoCP membership will be suggesting clean-up in the park along the northern border in the brush and wooded area near the railroad tracks. The area can use a good cleaning.

Concert in the Park

Will be held on Saturday July 30, 2011 from 7:00 to 8:00PM. We have confirmed that Smooth Teaze 8 will be performing this year again and it should be another great show!

Baltimore National Trails Day - June 4

National Trails Day will be held on June 4, 2011 from 8AM to 4PM at various locations around the city. More information to come!

Pigtown/Carroll Park Walk-ability Initiative

FoCP is continuing its work to develop a community walking trail as a loop that incorporates connections with the Gwynns Falls Trail. The Pigtown trail will connect the wonderful artistic and historic sites, recreation areas and commercial establishments in the neighborhood with those in the park. Look for more soon!

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday May 3, 2011 at 7:00PM. We meet at the Waymans AME Church at 1307 Washington Boulevard. See you there!

2010-07-19T17:56:00.001-04:00

Go Back in time with the Acapella Doo-Wop singers of
"SMOOTH TEAZE 8"

Where: Carroll Park at Washington Blvd. & Bayard St.
When: Saturday, July 31st
6:00 p.m.- decorate your own "Pigtown Kids" T-shirt for $1.00!
7:00-8:00 p.m. - Free Concert

Bring your favorite lawn chair or a blanket

Rain or Shine!

Rain Plan: The concert will be held at the Power House Church located at 1352 James Street. (across from the park)

Carroll Park/Pigtown in the News - Winter 2009/2010

2010-01-14T14:39:00.005-05:00

Baltimore approves plan to let community groups buy vacant lots - Baltimore Sun

Stimulus money to fund facade improvements - Baltimore Sun

Carroll Park/Pigtown in the News!

2009-07-23T14:46:00.004-04:00

Guiding City Kids Into Lacrosse - Baltimore Sun

Stimulus money available to fix up blighted commercial property in city - Baltimore Sun

Bike Raffle and Concert in the Park!

2009-06-23T13:16:00.003-04:00

Exciting News! SOBO Sports has donated a bike for raffle to support the Friends of Carroll Park. This slick Gary Fisher bike will be auctioned at the Concert in the Park.

Tickets for the raffle can be purchased in two locations:

Light Street Cycles
1124 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
through August 12, 2009

OR

at Concert in the Park!
Wednesday August 12, 2009
7:00PM
Carroll Park
Washington Blvd at Bayard Street
Baltimore, MD 21230

The bike will be auctioned immediately following the Concert at 8:00PM.

Thank you SOBO Sports!
http://www.sobosports.com

Images and Video from Skatepark Painting

2009-06-17T14:03:00.004-04:00

Here are some links to pictures and a video from the Skatepark Painting Project by Diggs Johnson students!

A big Thank you from FoCP for all of their effort!

Photographs of Carroll Skate Park Painting and Cleaning on 5/13/09

Stopmotion Skate park video from 5/13/09

News Updates

2009-06-15T16:19:00.003-04:00

"Tour dem Parks, Hon" event in Carroll Park named a CRITIC'S PICK by the Baltimore City paper

City selects developer for Pigtown project

EPA Stimulus Funds to be used in Carroll Park area of Baltimore City
Two projects in Baltimore met the initial criteria for some funding: a $230,000 project under design in the Carroll Park area of Baltimore and a $125 million project in the bidding phase at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Carroll Park project will get the full amount, while $6 million is slated for Patapsco.

June 2nd Meeting Recap

2009-06-15T16:09:00.003-04:00

SOBO Sports Fundraiser for FoCP

SOBO Sports held a fundraiser to benefit the Friends of Carroll Park on June 4, 2009 at Mad River Grille in South Baltimore. FoCP appreciates the support of SOBO Sports and their continued presence at Carroll Park. Thank you!

Walking Pigtown: Building Community Block by Block

Friends of Carroll Park is working to submit a grant application to the Parks and People Foundation. The plan is to create a walking map/plan for the Pigtown neighborhood. By connecting Carroll Park with educational, historical, cultural, social and economic opportunities in Pigtown and adjacent communities, the map/plan will serve both residents and visitors; creating a launch pad for exciting programs in the neighborhood. More details to come!

Bylaws Review/Annual Dues

A review of the Friends of Carroll Park bylaws resulted in scheduling dues collection for membership with FoCP. Dues for this year are $10.00 and will be collected at the July 7th meeting. Come out and give our park a hand! See you then!

Concert in the Park!

The Concert in the Park at Carroll Park will be held Wednesday August 12th at 7:00PM. More exciting details to come!

Recap from May 5th Meeting

2009-05-14T14:40:00.003-04:00

Carroll Park Field House
The field house building that burned in the park had become the subject of complaints; inadequate fencing was not protecting the site from disruption. Fortunately, safety measures have been taken in recent days to rectify this situation. Removal of the remainder of the structure is currently being discussed and processed by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.

Donation to Diggs Johnson Students from Friends of Carroll Park
We are pleased to announce that the Friends of Carroll Park made a $500.00 contribution to the Students Sharing Coalition, Inc. for improvements to the skate park at Carroll Park. Students, teachers and skaters from Diggs Johnson Middle School, as part of Operation Aware service day, worked to beautify the skate park.

Southwest Baltimore Healthy Homes and Communities Initiative
The next meeting will take place Monday June 29, 2009 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at the Power House Church (1352 James Street, Baltimore, MD)

Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on June 2, 2009 at 7:00PM. Please remember that our membership dues are this month; so come prepared.

Neigborhood Restaurant Featured in Baltimore Sun!

2009-05-01T08:42:00.002-04:00

Stop by and have a bite to eat on your way to or from Carroll Park!

Delectable Ethiopian fare at Elfegne (Baltimore Sun)
Elfegne Website

View Larger Map

Diggs Johnson Middle School Students to Help Improve Park!

2009-04-24T12:10:00.006-04:00

On Wednesday May 13, 2009 from 8:30AM to 10:45AM students from the seventh grade class of Ms. Smith and Mr. Locke at Diggs Johnson Middle School will be participating in a service project at Carroll Skate Park at Carroll Park.

The students have decided to paint the skate park as part of a special class they are in called Operation AWARE. Operation AWARE is run through Students Sharing Coalition, a nonprofit that provides service-learning and civic engagement experiences to students from diverse backgrounds, who take responsibility for their communities and are committed to social justice.

Please come out to support the students.

For more information or to provide assistance or donations please contact:
Kaleema Breathett 410-662-8999

Students Sharing Coalition, Inc.

A Sad Loss for Carroll Park

2009-04-14T09:37:00.004-04:00

A fire has damaged a building in Carroll Park.

Read more details from the Baltimore Sun here

View Carroll Park Building Fire in a larger map

Carroll Park in the News!

2009-04-10T09:06:00.003-04:00

Baltimore Magazine discusses Carroll Park in its "Best Places to Live 2009" article in its April issue.

Joseph Landers of the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors "points to what he calls 'rough gems,' including Belair-Edison, Baltimore Highlands, Carroll Park, Poppleton, and Penrose. 'These are communities that represent great investment opportunities,' he says. "

Read the full article here

Update on Traffic Light

2009-04-08T08:08:00.002-04:00

The entrance/exit to Carroll Park has been identified as a concern by many of our park users. Currently, the entrance/exit on Washington Boulevard is not served by a traffic signal. It is very difficult to safely enter and exit our park by car.

Please contact our Pigtown/Carroll Park council members to have them see the problem firsthand. Afternoons/evenings and weekends are good times to show just how dangerous this situation can become.

District 9: Agnes Welch
District 10: William Cole
District 11: Edward Reisinger

Meeting Recap

2009-04-07T21:21:00.010-04:00

Tuesday April 7, 2009

Southwest Baltimore Healthy Homes & Communities Initiative
Are you concerned about environmental hazards in our community? Come to the Southwest Cares Community Meeting:

Monday April 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Diggs-Johnson Middle School
1300 Herkimer Street
Baltimore, MD 21230

Sponsored by WPNPC and the Baltimore City Health Department

Tree Planting Project in Watershed 263
Will take place the week of April 20th

Olmsted Walk
To be held in Carroll Park beginning at the Mount Clare Mansion
Sunday May 17, 2009
2:00PM to 4:30PM

For more details please contact:
Judy Dobbs
(410)235-9149
jbec423@comcast.net
Or visit the website

Carroll Street/Archer Street Tot Lot
Come on out and support Pigtown's wonderful Tot Lot!

Spring Planting will take place on Saturday April 25, 2009 at 9:00AM

Support the Tot Lot by walking in the annual Walk-A-Thon!
Saturday May 23, 2009
8:00AM
Be sure to stick around for the cookout following the walk!

Tour dem Parks, Hon!
Sunday June 14, 2009
Registration begins at 7:00AM in Carroll Park
More information available here

Walkability Map Discussion
More exciting details to come!

SOBOSports Football
This organization is interested in supporting Carroll Park. With a large contingent of players each spring and fall in the Park, they want to provide some help in achieving our goals! Thanks to SOBOSports!

http://www.sobosports.com/

Traffic Light
A number of Park users are concerned about the lack of a traffic signal at the entrance/exit to Carroll Park. During busy periods the intersection can be quite difficult and unsafe to navigate. More information to follow.

Next Meeting:
Tuesday May 5, 2009
7:00PM
Waymans Church
1305-07 Washington Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21230

Welcome to the Friends of Carroll Park website!

2009-04-07T21:19:00.003-04:00

Here you will be able to find all of the latest and greatest information about the exciting things that are happening in Carroll Park.

Keep an eye here to learn about events/upcoming activities to have fun and help enrich our community park.