WATER CDBG Grant YOUR TREES! Applications Due Aug. 20 Keep Takoma Page 4 Park Green Published by the City of Takoma Park www.takomaparkmd.gov AUGUST 2007 Spring Park Renovation Draws in Wildlife Takoma Park By Virginia Myers Calls for e’re getting creatures,” says “ Todd Bolton, one of few people Impeachment W delighted to see insects crawl- ing near him. “We’re getting creatures, By Virginia Myers which is what the objective is.” mpeachment has gone beyond Bolton, Takoma Park’s arborist, is stand- buttons and yard signs in Takoma ing in Spring Park, at the corner of Poplar Park. Voting unanimously, the City and Elm Avenues, where he and the De- I Council passed a resolution July 23 to partment of Public Works have undertaken impeach President George W. Bush and an ambitious renovation. Bolton, with City Vice President Dick Cheney. Te City staf, is creating a bog designed to attract all joins 80 other jurisdictions, including sorts of “creatures” - among them the water San Francisco and Detroit, in an of- beetles he is pointing out, skittering along fcial declaration calling for impeach- the bottom of an algae-coated pond. Tere ment; it is the frst in the Washington are also mud daubers (a kind of wasp) pok- metropolitan area to do so. ing around the edge of the water, and an as- Te vote was preceded by comments sortment of songbirds delighted to splash from about 20 citizens who lined up at in a newly built stream. Bolton says he’ll the Council Chamber microphone to introduce salamanders, if they don’t fnd Amrit Brown enjoys playing in the cold water of the newly daylighted creek at express their support for the measure, their own way to the park, along with spring Spring Park. Photo: Virginia Myers and councilmembers made a point of peeper frogs; he expects dragonfies, swal- praising residents for their courage and lows and bats to move in as well. trees and shrubs chosen to thrive and at- Girding what promises to be an idyllic conviction in organizing the efort. A Te impetus behind the new nature park tract more wildlife. A bridge will span the park are tons of riprap under the mud, lef- show of hands indicated that nearly is not so much to create habitat as to solve a watery habitat, and separate two types of over from an old water bottling plant, and everyone in the chamber, which was years-long water problem. Te park, a com- plant communities typical of wet spots: on an immovable, fve-foot piece of concrete almost full, had come to ensure the bination playground and greenspace, has the one hand, Maryland piedmont, and on buried there like a dam. City crews worked resolution's passage. “Tis is ‘we the underground springs that have perpetually the other, coastal plain. “If you’re going to around these obstacles, and also created people,’” said Councilmember Terry seeped up through the lawn and onto the make it ornamental,” says Bolton, “let’s have other hidden elements: French drains of Seamens. “We are powerful to the ex- sidewalk, making it mucky in warm weath- it educational as well.” Interpretive signage underground gravel that help move water tent that we represent the community,” er and icy in cold. So, afer consulting with is another part of the plan, which should be along, for example, and a rubber sheet bur- Mayor Kathy Porter agreed, comment- neighbors, other Public Works staf and a completed some time this fall. ied two feet deep to contain the water. ing on the number of people willing to design frm, Bolton “daylighted” the stream Already three bald cypress trees are Te result is already popular with local stand up and be counted on this mea- that fows from the springs - essentially un- growing, along with button bush and fresh- songbirds. Bolton interrupts his explana- sure. “Tis is the community that I’m burying a stream of water and directing it smelling sweet pepper bush. Other selec- tion of the new construction to point out so pleased to be a part of.” down a newly built streambed across the tions include Virginia magnolia, inkberry, a brilliant yellow goldfnch, and later the Te resolution lists specifc violations park lawn. winterberry and viburnum. Te existing feather of a bluebird lef behind at the wa- of constitutional and other law, accus- Tere is also an area that could be called plantings near the original spring and Indi- ter’s edge. Later in the day, young children ing Bush and Cheney of “intentionally” a giant mud puddle or a shallow pond, de- an sculpture will remain, as will the sculp- will dip their toes in the icy water, proving pending on your perspective - it will soon ture of Chief Powhatan and the sitting area this is habitat will be appreciated by many. IMPEACHMENT be planted with various native, water-loving near the bricked-in pool. continues on page 2 Takoma Park, MD 20912 Takoma 7500 Maple Ave. Mayor & Council Takoma Park Recreation Center Faces Evaluation By Virginia Myers Planner Mark Wallis met with Takoma Park’s out, abs and stretch, and Tai Chi; a popular governmental liaison, Suzanne Ludlow, and (though tiny) weight room that draws from ow viable is the Takoma Park Recre- Recreation Department Director Debra outside the neighborhood; indoor soccer and ation Center, set just north of Sligo Haiduven at the end of July (afer press time) drop-in basketball; and an afer school pro- ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER ECRWSS POSTAL H Creek Park on New Hampshire Av- to begin the conversation. He plans to learn gram used by about 30 children and run by enue? If you ask one of the kids who comes more about how the City uses the facility, in the City recreation department. Currently, a to the center for basketball, dance lessons or order to better assess whether to keep the sta- City-run summer camp keeps the building afer-school fun, you’d hear it’s an essential tus quo or advocate for major change. occupied. Parts of the building are also rent- part of the community. If you ask a county Te Recreation Center is already under City planner, you might get a diferent story. management, though it belongs to MNCPPC. REC CENTER Te building is one of several under scrutiny Te programs in the center would normally continues on page 12 by Maryland National Capital Park and Plan- be overseen by the Montgomery County Rec- ning ofcials who are reviewing the condition reation Department, but they have contracted and usefulness of 31 small and medium-sized the operations to the City of Takoma Park. park and recreation buildings within Mont- Te arrangement has made county assess- INSIDE: PRE-SORT STANDARD PRE-SORT gomery County. Each is being reviewed for ment impossible without City input. “We TAKOMA PARK, MD PARK, TAKOMA PERMIT NO. 4422 condition, level of use and maintenance re- don’t run it,” explains Wallis. “We don’t put LOCAL ART HAPPENINGS U.S. POSTAGE quirements; many, including the one on New any programs in it. I can’t remember the ...............................Page 5 PAID Hampshire Avenue, are aging structures that last time somebody sat down with the City to may require major repair, renovation or even talk about it.” So the frst step is to gather in- ELECTIONS APPROACH demolition and replacement. formation on current use. ...............................Page 6 Which outcome might be in store for the In large part, the center serves the popu- Takoma Park Recreation Center is not at all lation right outside its door, residents of the clear at this point, as ofcials are at the very Hampshire Towers apartment complex. Tere A FABULOUS 4TH ..Page 12 beginning of their considerations. County are ftness classes, including a boxing work- Page 2 August 2007 Takoma Park Newsletter CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE City Council Action CALENDAR* For further information, or to receive a copy of the legislation, contact the City Clerk’s office, 301-891-7267 or e-mail [email protected]. Monday, July 30 - Special session and worksession of the City Council, June 18 - Regular Meeting First Reading Ordinance 2007-36 was adopted by roll-call vote, as 7:30 p.m. (Community Center Audi- was accepted, amending Takoma amended, amending Takoma Park torium) Second Reading Ordinance 2007-29 Park Code Chapter 5.24, Board of Code Chapter 5.24 Board of Elec- was adopted by roll-call vote, to Tuesday, July 31 through Monday, Elections, to revise the minimum tions, to revise the minimum num- adopt the FY08 Tax Rate (ABSENT: September 3. The City Council is number of members for the Board ber of members for the board Clay) scheduled to be on its summer re- (Absent: Clay) The consent agenda was adopted: cess during this period. If August Second Reading Ordinance 2007-30 Resolution 2007-21 was adopted, meetings are scheduled, they will be was adopted by roll-call vote, to appointing Jane Johnson, Anne A. Resolution 2007-27 appointing listed at www.takomaparkmd.gov. adopt the FY08 Stormwater Budget Sergeant, and Bevlyn Washington Joshua L. Wright to the Health Ser- Tuesday, July 31 - Meeting of the (the Council acting as the Stormwa- to the Board of Elections (Absent: vices Impact Committee ter Board) (Absent: Clay). Clay) Board of Elections, 7 p.m. (Commu- B. Resolution 2007-28 appointing F. nity Center Azalea Room) Second Reading Ordinance 2007- Noreene Wells to the Montgomery 31 was adopted by roll-call vote, July 2 - Special Session Wednesday, August 1 - Meeting of County Cable Communications Ad- to adopt the FY08 Budget (includ- Resolution 2007-22 was adopted, ap- the Health Services Impact Commit- visory Committee tee, 7 p.m.