Spring
2008
KidsGrow Goes Camping!
Governor Martin O’Malley joined thirty of Parks & People's KidsGrow students in Patapsco Valley State Park on Friday, April 25, 2008 for a unique opportunity to study a rural stream environment as part of the Stream Waders program supported by the Department of Natural Resources. The students pitched tents and braved the elements to fully experience life in the wilderness. While camping in Patapsco, the students hiked through the woods, explored the surrounding area and waded in Hilton stream.
University of Baltimore Honors Parks & People!
On May 1, 2008 the Parks & People Foundation was honored with the 2008 University of Baltimore Distinguished Social Entrepreneur Award for Parks & People’s work with the Tree Brokering Business and the spring tree sale. This prestigious award is only given to four business pioneers each year. According to the University of Baltimore, each award is given to a person or organization “committed to establishing their company by not only studying the marketplace and conditions on the ground, but also tapping into their personal resolve and self-awareness.”
The proceeds from Parks & People’s first tree sale will be reinvested into the programs of the Parks & People Foundation so that we can continue to make Baltimore a greener, healthier city.
Gwynns Falls Trail Celebration on June 7, 2008!
Please join the Parks & People Foundation and the Gwynns Falls Trail Council to celebrate the recently completed construction of the Gwynns Falls Trail to the I-70 Park & Ride facility on the City/County boundary. This family friendly event will showcase the Gwynns Falls Trail and the wonderful amenities found along it.
Come run, bike and walk on this new section of the Trail through historic Franklintown and on to the Middle Branch or the Inner Harbor. There will be a professionally timed foot race as well as walking and biking tours.
A 9.4 mile out-and-back hike from I-70 to Leon Day Park, in conjunction with National Trails Day, will be part of the celebration of the recently completed Gwynns Falls Trail. For more information, visit www.gwynnsfallstrail.org!
Parks & People’s “Baltimore’s Garden” Exhibit at the 2008 Flowermart!
On May 2nd and 3rd Parks & People presented a participatory walk-through demonstration showcasing Baltimore’s unique urban gardens at the 91st Flowermart in Mt. Vernon. The annual event celebrated the rite of spring and Baltimore’s rich history.
Our display included a peace garden, a labyrinth, an urban farm, a greenhouse, a flower garden, a container garden and much more! The highlight of the event was when Parks & People’s Community Arts Organizer, Ryan Patterson, accepted the grand prize award for Best Booth decoration from Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Support for Parks & People helps to make our parks and green spaces lively and well maintained places where people can enjoy the outdoors. We would like to thank our partners and supporters for making this event a success!
Thank You J.C. Penney!
On March 5th & 6th KidsGrow students and parents traveled to Owings Mills Shopping Center to visit the J.C. Penney Department Store. Through a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, Parks & People received $8,000 worth of gift-cards to distribute to participants in the program.
Shopping was no easy feat and required the assistance of several J.C. Penney employees (one pictured above with students) to look up prices and reach places that the kids could not. Most of the boys picked out essentials like jeans, t-shirts and baseball caps. The girls went straight for the dress department and were very careful to complete their outfits. The children were able to purchase shoes and other accessories as well.
We would like to extend a special thank you to both the Boy Scouts of America and J.C. Penney for their generous contribution!
Welcome to: ONE PARK
Now through Sunday, May 25, 2008, Parks & People is presenting Welcome to: ONE PARK, an exhibition that explores the spaces that make up the interconnected One Park concept.
One Park is a concept for the design, enhanced use and care of green space that encourages social, economic and community development. Building on the city's rich heritage of parks, One Park unites the city in an integrated system of parks, street trees, community gardens, landscaped boulevards and paths, squares, schoolyards, college campuses, recreation areas, and other public open spaces.
The exhibit is on display at Current Gallery and Artists Collaborative located at 30 South Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Spring Tree Hall of Fame
This white oak is on the corner of Clearspring Road near Govans Elementary School. This tree was submitted by Mrs. Mary Schwartz of Baltimore City.
If you pass by a memorable tree everyday and want others to enjoy it, send an email to info@parksandpeople.org with the address and we will include it in our next Tree Hall of Fame!
Parks & People’s Spring Quiz: How much do you know about trees? Be the first to answer all of the questions correctly and win a Parks & People T-Shirt! Email your responses to info@parksandpeople.org and win!
- By planting 100 trees, you are adding approximately _______ lbs of oxygen into the atmosphere at year:
- 10,000
- 100,050
- 28,080
- 34,653
- How many maple trees does it take to make 45 gallons of maple syrup?
- One large tree can lift up to ________ gallons of water up from the ground and into the air in one day.
- True or false: roots frequently grow outward to a diameter of one to two times the height of the tree.
- Mulch is crucial to the survival of a newly planted tree because it:
- insulates the soil
- keeps out weeds
- prevents soil compaction
- retains moisture
- all of the above
- What is the inner-most core of a tree called?
- inner bark
- outer bark
- sapwood
- heartwood
- Quercus rubra is the scientific name for this tree that can grow up to 90 feet:
- Red Maple
- Pin Oak
- Red Oak
- Eastern Redbud
- Research shows that 100 mature tree crowns intercept about _____ gallons of rainfall per year:
- 1,000,000
- 100,000
- 10,000
- 100
- Studies show that trees have the ability to:
- increase property value
- improve the health of urban areas
- slow storm-water run-off
- attract residents to local parks and green spaces
- all of the above
10. True or false: Cutting down an urban street tree re-releases carbon that the tree had absorbed?
