Protecting Land to Improve Communities
Funding for the nine properties that NeighborSpace has acquired has come to the organization from Baltimore County pursuant to several ordinances passed by visionary leaders within the County. One ordinance requires a developer to provide open space or pay a fee in lieu of doing so and another gives the County Department of Recreation and Parks discretion to give NeighborSpace a portion of the “fee in lieu of” proceeds. NeighborSpace has enjoyed a supportive and collaborative relationship with the County as it has evolved and looks forward to a similarly productive association going forward. But, clearly, in these challenging economic times, if we are to grow sustainably as an organization, we must work harder than ever before to harness the time, talent and treasure of those individuals and organizations who value what we do.
Baltimore County is projected to grow by 6 percent or 48,000 people over the next 25 years. Most of this growth will occur within the URDL, where NeighborSpace has focused its work. Recent discussions of the County’s Master Plan for 2020 suggest that this growth, and the need to be more responsive to environmental concerns like stormwater runoff, will necessitate “a new direction,” for the County, one that embraces substantial redevelopment near transportation corridors and town centers and of older shopping centers and abandoned warehouses. Inherent in this new direction is a familiar idea - that “green space, created or preserved,” including “greenways, and trails, squares, plazas, tot lots and parks,” will be a key component and that is where NeighborSpace stands to play an important role.
Victor Hugo said that “an invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.” If you share our belief in the cause of NeighborSpace, then please help us by making a tax deductible donation today. Simply click on the button at below to make a contribution by credit card or mail your check made payable to “NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, Inc.” to:
NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, Inc.
P.O. Box 6715
Towson, MD 21285
... and others who believe, as we do, that NeighborSpace is an idea whose time has come.
