Vol. 18 • No. 2 April 2018

Harriet Tubman Grove at Wyman Park Dell

by Nina Wendt In 2015, a movement was initiated to The parcel was originally part of rededicate a section of Wyman Park Dell the estate of Charles Carroll, which to Harriet Tubman. Tubman, who was Samuel Wyman purchased in 1839. born in slavery in and later The land was given to The Johns escaped to freedom, is known for her Hopkins University in 1902, with activism in helping others escape via the Carroll’s Homewood House, and Underground Railroad. the remainder of the estate was There’s a natural grove in Wyman subsequently donated to the City of Park Dell with trees that are over 100 as a public park. In 1904 years old. Officials and community Olmsted Brothers prepared a plan members felt that it was a natural and for the development of Baltimore’s appropriate place to honor Tubman. public parks, which included the Council member 194-acre Wyman Park. Much of the sponsored the bill in the City council to park capitalizes on the mature rename the grove. It took over two years vegetation and dramatic to get to this point, but after the removal topography that flanks the Stony of the Lee-Jackson Monument that stood Run stream valley. In contrast, the in the Wyman Park Dell since 1948, design for the sixteen-acre, Mayor Catherine Pugh signed the teardrop-shaped Dell (developed by renaming into law in February and the Olmsted Brothers in 1911) dedication was planned. “We really / NoNet Productions © 2018 Lisa Lewenz comprises a sunken expanse of wanted to have this dedication on March lawn encircled by a wooded slope, Mary Pat Clarke opening the dedication 10th,” said Clarke. “We don’t know the date ceremony on March 10th which buffers it from its urbanized of Harriet Tubman’s birth, so we chose the surroundings. Local stone was used to anniversary of her death.” create dry-stacked retaining walls and grand stairs Thus, the wooded southwestern plateau at Howard Street descending upwards to the surrounding streets. Arcing paths and Art Museum Drive was dedicated as the Harriet Tubman provide access throughout—and sweeping views of—the Grove on Saturday March 10th, the 105th anniversary of park. In 1917, the relocated to its Tubman’s death. This event was organized with the support present location northwest of the Dell. (continued on p. 2) of Council Member Clarke, Dr. Leah White of Greater Faith Baptist Church, and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. A diverse crowd of some 200 people attended the event. Mark your Calendars! “I was very impressed by the event,” said Wyman Park WPCA General Membership Meeting resident Ray Iturralde. “It was solemn and joyful. There was great diversity and energy in the crowd. It felt good and TUESDAY, APRIL 3rd at 7p.m. hopeful.” Keswick Multi-Care Center, APRIL Wyman Park Dell is a 16-acre public park in Baltimore 700 W. 40th St. 3 City. The Dell, noted for its steep enclosing slopes and a Stony Run Restoration Update large, sweeping lower lawn, serves as an urban sanctuary. • Bounded by Charles Street and the Baltimore Museum of Guest: Craig Huntley, President, Friends of Stony Run Art, the Wyman Park Dell is a component of the larger • Update on neighborhood safety Wyman Park, although the two are not contiguous. • JHU Proposal for University Police Force

Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wpca-md 1 www.wymanparkcommunity.org Vol. 18 • No. 2 April 2018 Harrient Tubman (cont. from p. 1) This, combined with the expansion of the Johns Hopkins campus, further President’s Message isolated the Dell from the larger Wyman Park. Greetings Neighbors! It is not known if a statue will be placed, but there will be signs marking Welcome to springtime in Wyman Park. Now is a great time to get out the Grove. The Friends of Wyman Dell walking. While you are at it, why not bring a bag to pick up trash that the will plant new trees, which as Clarke heavy March winds have blown about our neighborhood and the Park. Thank says, “will be new and growing, thus you for doing your part to restore and maintain Wyman Park in its natural state preserving Tubman’s legacy in what for all to enjoy. has become such a peaceful place in Baltimore.” “Tubman would feel at home in See you around the Park while walking my dog Lenny! Wyman Park Dell,” Clarke said. All who attended the dedication would certainly agree. Jack Boso Sources: https;//www.friendsof- WPCA President wymanparkdell.org, https://bcrp. baltimorecity.gov/, WMAR-TV2 News

Community Calendar

April 3 WPCA General Association Meeting Join the WPCA E-mail Group in 3 Easy Clicks! April 7 Project Cleanup: Stony Run/Wyman Park 9 a.m. – Noon 1. Go to wymanparkcommunity.org Meet at Craycombe & Tudor Arms Avenue 2. Select ‘Communicate’ 3. Join from that page Gloves, supplies and refreshments will be provided Mid-April Residential Parking Permits: Online purchase begins

for existing permit holders only (should receive email) Visit https://pabc.thepermitstore.com Look for full purchase details in the May issue

May 8 WPCA General Association Meeting

Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wpca-md 2 www.wymanparkcommunity.org Vol. 18 • No. 2 April 2018 Meet the People Who Deliver WPCA Newsletters

Ed. Note: This is the first in a series to introduce the people who deliver the WPCA newsletters. Lynn Silverman Before moving to Baltimore in 1999, Lynn lived in Britain and Australia where she taught photography for a number of years. She still uses a darkroom for making black and white prints, which have been shown internationally. Lynn currently teaches photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art. The attraction of Wyman Park/Hampden was immediate with its access to shops, a park, and great neighbors. “Delivering the newsletter is good exercise and a chance to say hello to fellow residents on my beat,” she says. Something you might not know about Lynn: She enjoys exchanging news and gossip over a monthly potluck meal with a group of knitters who live in Wyman Park. Lynn delivers to the 3400 block of Keswick Rd.. Katherine Birnie Katherine lives on Beech Avenue, and is ably assisted in delivering the newsletter by her husband Wayne and their dog Bodhi. “We all love living in Wyman Park, where we moved three years ago, from the western side of Hampden,” she says. They can often be found walking along the trail in Wyman Park (Bodhi's favorite neighborhood activity), or walking through the neighborhood to the Charmery (Katherine's favorite activity). Katherine works in land conservation and wetland/stream restoration and volunteers with the Appalachian Mountain Club. Wayne is the Latin teacher at the Bryn Mawr School and volunteers with the Big Brother Big Sister program. Something you might not know about Katherine: She and Wayne took their (belated) honeymoon hiking the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland this past summer. Katherine delivers to the 3900 block of Keswick Rd. Marta Zahalak Marta emigrated to USA from Ukraine and moved to Baltimore from St. Louis six years ago. “I enjoy living in a community that respects diversity and is considerate about our environment.” she says. Marta scuba dives to survey the fish population in our seas. Her most recent Dive Adventure was in Hawaii, on a live-aboard excursion, with other citizen scientists engaged in marine conservation. You may have seen her in Wyman Park, walking Jacques, a Pomeranian foundling she found abandoned in Patterson Park. Something you might not know about Marta: She The WPCA gratefully acknowledges MD Nautical, Robert Davis and Theresa loves to dance the Argentine Tango. Marta delivers Abel for assistance with production of the WPCA newsletter. to the 3800 block of Beech Ave. Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wpca-md 3 www.wymanparkcommunity.org Vol. 18 • No. 2 April 2018

New WPCA Board Member: Senior Happenings Fannie Fonseca-Becker Action in Maturity (AIM) th Fannie, a recently retired Hopkins Faculty member, spent over 30 700 W 40 Street years assessing the impact of public health programs in Africa, 410-889-7915 Central & South America as well as in 26 different US states. A native of Colombia, she lived for 17 years in Bogota, 12 years in Mother’s Day Tea Brussels, Belgium, with several years in Washington DC, Atlanta Wednesday, May 2nd at 10:30 a.m. and finally Baltimore where she and husband Stan have loved Lyric Opera Company performing Broadway musical living in their Tudor Arms home since 1991. Something you selections. Menu: Tea, finger sandwiches, and petite might not know about Fannie: She has been a vegetarian most of desserts. Event includes raffle baskets, and best hat and her life and enjoys creating new recipes using the vegetables and tea cup contests. culinary herbs from her backyard garden. Continuing Classes

UPCOMING Active Yoga Quilting Monday at 10 a.m. Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. Keswick Library AIM Office 2018 $3 per class Free WPCA Chair Yoga Chair Exercise MEETINGS Mondays 11:30 a.m. Fridays at 10 a.m. Wednesdays 10 a.m. 3939 Roland Ave Keswick Library Social Room, Free $3 per class APR 3 Evening Yoga *NEW* Line Dancing Fridays at 5:30 p.m. MAY 8 Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. Keswick Library Keswick Assisted Living $3 per class $2 per class KESWICK MULTICARE CENTER 700 W. 40th St. The Wyman Park Community Association, Inc. 7 O’CLOCK P.M. Jack Boyson, President

Vice President Gayle Springer, Treasurer Wyman Park position open Community Association Ashley Costello, Secretary Joe Leatherman, Parliamentarian Membership & Dues Only $10 gets your entire household membership in Directors

WPC. Support your community association! All Luke Ackerman ’20 M. Elaine Parker, ’18 Lura Warren, Emerita

memberships valid through 9/30/18. Larry Caudill '18 Andrea Rackowski '19 Nina Wendt, ’19

There are now two ways to join! Fanny Fonseca-Becker '20 Matt Reinhart ’19 Sue Ellen Wheatley '20

1) PayPal or Credit Card: visit Lexy Martinez '20 Donna (Jinx) Schwartz, ’18 www.wymanparkcommunity.org; or Paul McCoy, '20 Carol Smith ’19 2) Mail a personal check made payable to “WPCA” along with your name, address, phone number, and mail to: Gayle Springer, Treasurer, 3937 Keswick Rd., Editor: Nina Wendt Baltimore, MD 21211 Design/Layout: Anh Thu Cunnion

Discussion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wpca-md 4 www.wymanparkcommunity.org