Project Location: Prince George's County, MD

Problem: Residents across several Maryland Black Mayors, Inc. (MBM) communities in Prince George's County were experiencing flooding issues. From flooded basements to sodden front yards, these low-low lying communities along the Anacostia River sought help from their local leaders. 

Problem: The Druid Heights neighborhood is comprised of 41% vacant lots. Only three public parks cover 0.7% of the area within the neighborhood limits. The abandoned site located at the gateway of the community is highly visible, but lacked welcoming features that communicated community pride and Druid Heights’ rich historical background as one of Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods.

Problem: Post-demolition lots in the Darley Park neighborhood were strewn with trash and had sat for decades unused. Gateway Park is located at the center of the neighborhood and was also plagued with vehicle traffic and compacted soil that contributed to stormwater runoff. It was an eyesore and diminished the neighborhood’s charm and safety. 

Project Location: City of Alexandria, VA

Problem: Lake Cook was constructed in the 1970s as a fishing pond. The site is limited in open space as it is bounded by railroad tracks to the north, the Great Waves Waterpark to the west, and a townhouse development to the east. Visitors had to forge their own trails around the lake in order to fish thereby creating erosion and public safety concerns.

Project Location: Baltimore City, MD

Problem: Abandoned lots in Baltimore City were flooding and creating unsightly conditions, public health issues, and decreased property values.

Solution: A call about a flooded abandoned lot by community organizers in the Waverly neighborhood set in motion a series of events that are transforming areas of urban Baltimore into oases of nature, food, community, and placemaking - all while giving stormwater a place to go.

Project Location: Bethesda, MD

Problem:  Poorly-managed pet waste not only can be a nuisance to pedestrians but it also poses public health hazards (as it carries bacteria and parasites) and it is a source of water quality impairment due to its high nutrient content.

Project location: Annapolis, MD

Problem: Parking lots typically contain significant amounts of impervious cover, and they can be a major source of pollutants to nearby streams. The parking lot of Blackwall Hitch, a seafood restaurant in downtown Annapolis, drains directly into Spa Creek, a major tributary of the Severn River.  Prior to this project, pollutant-laden rainwater flowed from the parking area and surrounding streets into the Creek.