NeighborSpace has been working with the Graystone Community Association since 2009, when it responded to the Association’s request to purchase the 0.3-acre property that is now Graystone Community Open Space. This grass lot in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, is affectionately referred to as “the neighborhood’s living room” or simply “the lot” by neighbors. The Community Association makes use of the space to host community meetings, crochet circles, Easter Egg hunts, flea markets, movie nights, and more.

While the site in its current state has served the community well, the Association Board had a more ambitious vision for the Open Space. They hoped to create a neighborhood park that draws people in and allows for a range of activities, from quietly communing with nature, to playing volleyball or watching a movie, or even hosting flea markets and neighborhood celebrations.

Thanks to a Keep Maryland Beautiful grant, NeighborSpace was able to implement a first element of the University of Maryland students’ master plans and install a large pollinator garden along the slope. It was important to community members that the pretty view of Woodlawn remain open. NeighborSpace and the Community Association worked with Wildside Nursery to select a variety of native perennials that provide pollinator habitat and year-round interest. Some of the species planted include spotted beebalm, turtlehead, blazing star, and brown-eyed susan.

With help from Victor at Wildside Nursery, volunteers planted more than 200 perennials on September 7th. We were even able to install a small garden around the neighborhood sign! Baltimore County Master Gardeners provided information and advice on gardening for pollinators, and rolled up their sleeves to remove English Ivy from one of the canopy trees along the fence.