Gateway 2 Gateway

Summary

The Gateway 2 Gateway Project began in the early Spring of 2014. It began after receiving a Homewood Community Partnership Initiative (HCPI) Spruce-Up Grant and had two goals at the onset of the project.

The first goal strove to revitalize Brentwood Commons found at the North-East gate of Greenmount West. To do this, initial landscaping and tree planting became a priority. Alongside making the area more aesthetically pleasing, a resident artist, Jim Hillmann designed an artistic piece for the area. The Brentwood Commons is recognized as a Baltimore Greenspace and continues to be used and maintained by the vibrant Greenmount West Community.

The second goal of the project tackled the Federal/Calvert Park by ensuring its longevity and utilization through landscaping, painting its surrounding fence, and introducing signage to present it as the South-West gate for the Greenmount West Community.

The G2G project commenced in Spring of 2014 with two weekends in May where community members gathered to weed, paint, and clean Calvert/Federal Park. From there, New Greenmount West Community Association (NGWCA) hired A-1 Tree & Lawncare to prune and treat thirteen Sephora trees and also remove several dead trees from Brentwood Commons.

On June 28th, NGWCA hosted its first G2G celebration in Brentwood Commons where special speakers such as Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Council President Jack Young spoke to community members. Over 100 people attended the event where there were games, music, and refreshments.

The beginning of the fall saw the creation of a maintenance and planting plan for Calvert/Federal Park. Soil was prepped for fall plantings, and with the support of Bluewater Baltimore the park received plants and mulch to finalize the design. On October 11th, students from Johns Hopkins supported NGWCA by cleaning, pruning, and weeding Calvert/Federal Park. The fall concluded with a celebration of cider, cider dougnuts, and bluegrass music from Brad Kolodner, Ken Kolodner, and friends.

The winter of 2014 became time for preparation. Spring plantings were decided upon and the beautiful “Greenmount West” sign was completed to be added to Federal/Calvert Park for the coming Spring.

The total amount received by the New Greenmount West Community Association from the Spruce-Up Grant Program was $25,000. Over the course of the year in which the project commenced, the community spent $16,062.06. The remaining funds will be devoted to the final installation of signage, final landscaping/hardscaping, dog waste station installation, administrative costs, and the final G2G celebration.

Partners

Station North Tool Library

Homewood Community Partners

Jubilee Baltimore

Central Baltimore Partnership

Robert W. Deutsch Foundation

Johns Hopkins University

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Blue Water Baltimore

 

Ribbon Cutting Event

On June 28th, 2014 the official opening of the Brentwood Commons was held, where figures such as Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake spoke to the Greenmount West Community

G2G Brentwood Commons (64) G2G Brentwood Commons (63c) G2G Brentwood Commons (63b) G2G Brentwood Commons (63) G2G Brentwood Commons (62) G2G Brentwood Commons (48) G2G Brentwood Commons (47) G2G Brentwood Commons (39) G2G Brentwood Commons (31) G2G Brentwood Commons (19) G2G Brentwood Commons (4) G2G Brentwood Commons (3)