All the way back in 2007, the Powhatan Farms Improvement Association (PFIA) reached out to NeighborSpace about a 1.6 acre parcel of land to transform into a park. Funds were acquired, designs were created, and in the autumn of 2017, construction was finally completed on Powhatan Park.
Within a year, however, the rains of summer 2018 would prove that the work was not yet over. After flood waters destroyed parts of the trail and plantings, an investigation into the park’s drainage infrastructure was undertaken, and, in June 2020, a missing drainage pipe was installed within the park.
After acquiring funding to repair the trails and entrance to the park, construction began again in 2022. Trails were repaired, new plants were planted, and the park was cleaned up for its new debut. Finally, after years of trials, tribulations, and hard work, PFIA and NeighborSpace hosted a re-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 8, 2022 to introduce the new and improved Powhatan Park to its community.
Attended by members of local government, NeighborSpace, PFIA, and the Powhatan Farms community, the ceremony celebrated the resilience, hard work, patience, and teamwork that brought this long-sought goal to fruition. Arthur Hyde, a Powhatan Farms community member, was awarded the Green Jacket award for his diligent efforts to improve Powhatan Park. George Goodhues, General Manager for Natural Concerns Landscape Contractors, took attendees on a tour of the repairs and upgrades to the park, including its stormwater management features. Finally, after all was said and done, community members and attendees grabbed a snack and enjoyed a sunny autumn afternoon in their new park.
NeighborSpace would like to thank everyone who had a part in this journey. We would like to thank the members of the Baltimore County government, including County Executive John Olszewski and the Baltimore County Council, who aided us with funding and pushing through the obstacles we met along the way. We would like to thank our community partners at PFIA and our grant funders and donors at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Chesapeake and Coastal Service, Baltimore County, BGE, and Chesapeake Bay Trust. We would like to thank Natural Concerns Landscape Contractors, Daft McCune Walker, and all of the contractors and volunteers who worked to transform a vacant lot into a beautiful community park. And we would like to thank you, members and donors of NeighborSpace, for supporting us along the way.
Welcome to Powhatan Park!
