From the Desk of Nancy R. Goldring:
President, Northeast Towson Improvement Association, Inc.
In response to the recent article in the Sun: Baltimore County buys 24 acres slated for Timonium development to preserve green space
We commend the County Executive for keeping his campaign promise to protect Baltimore County’s natural environment. We learned this weekend that Baltimore County purchased 24.5 acres of green space in Timonium to protect that community from development. As stated in the County Executive’s announcement, “creating more space for recreational opportunities is a critical component of [his] efforts to improve quality of life and create vibrant communities for residents across Baltimore County. Residents in the Lutherville-Timonium area are now assured that this significant green space will stay available for recreational activities for years — and generations — to come.” The unanswered question remains: where does Historic East Towson fit into the County’s priorities for preserving existing open space?
Similar to the Lutherville-Timonium story, Historic East Towson is threatened by the potential development of Red Maple Place. Irrespective of the fact that the proposed development site in Historic East Towson has been zoned RAE (residential apartment with an elevator) for the last 50 years, it has remained undisturbed and undeveloped forested land for time immemorial. Like the Lutherville-Timonium property, Historic East Towson used to have a ballfield which was lost to the BGE Substation nearly 60 years ago. Like the Lutherville-Timonium property, the Historic East Towson property also has a stream, which is a critical reason that it has never been developed.
Baltimore County’s annual Land Preservation Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) includes a policy to “expand opportunities for citizens to participate in and experience arts and cultural programs and events, and work to preserve historically and culturally significant sites for the appreciation and enjoyment of the County’s citizens and visitors.” Since Historic East Towson’s beginning more than 200 years ago, no land preservation protections have been afforded this community. In fact, living, recreational and greenspace have continually been encroached upon and eroded.
Retaining the proposed development site as open space would allow for a walking trail from Hampton Plantation to Historic East Towson already affectionately termed, “Mapping the Road to Freedom.” Highlighting and preserving this important link to our local, State and national history would be a win/win/win for all of Towson, for Baltimore County and beyond.
We think it only right to share the bounty and privilege of greenspace allotted to other communities with Historic East Towson. Use Maryland Program Open Space funds to purchase the Mangione property and preserve this tiny slice of nature “for years — and generations — to come.”
The list of contributing organizations and those who have expressed agreement includes:
Green Towson Alliance
Sierra Club’s Greater Baltimore Group
Harris Hill Condominiums
Indivisible Towson
Maryland Lynching Memorial Project
Northeast Towson Improvement Association, Inc.
Preservation Alliance of Baltimore County
SURJ Baltimore County (Standing Up for Racial Justice)
members of Towson Communities Alliance
Blue Water Baltimore
Earth Sustainability Initiatives (ESI)
Towson Unitarian Universalist Church Green Sanctuary Committee