United Way Awards $9,260 for Benches as Construction Begins at Flannery Lane Park

With the help of construction partner, Blue Water Baltimore, and the oversight of landscape architect, Ray Heil, our Flannery Lane site has been "depaved" and construction has begun. The gravel base of one of two rain gardens is shown in the image at right.

This small 0.13-acre site in Gwynn Oak exists in an area where 52% of residents lack access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home and in a watershed where a 2018 Report by Blue Water Baltimore and the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the increasing effects of climate change demand that more green infrastructure be installed.  The design calls for de-paving the site, installing two new rain gardens, and adding a range of new native plantings. It also proposes a gravel pathway, lawn area, and plinths for sculpture.

In February, the United Way of Central Maryland awarded a grant of $9,260 for the purchase of four benches for the site. NeighborSpace will work with Blue Water Baltimore, the Gwynn Oak Community Association, and volunteers to plant new perennials, shrubs and trees in May. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for the planting, please sign up at the bottom of any page on our website or use the "find events" feature on our Volunteer Page to do so once events are posted in a few weeks.