As a cherished landmark for relaxation, art classes, and nature studies, Holt Park is looking forward to several big renovations. Proposed improvements include repairs to the cabins, accessibility features, and a trail extension to the Northeast Regional Trail and nearby recreation sites.

Here’s how you can help Holt Park and Center for the Arts:

• Attend one of our regularly scheduled programs
• Donate items such as furniture, games, and children’s books
• Join the Garden Club
• Become a volunteer and help with an art or nature program
• Become a Summer Camp Counselor-InTraining (ages 14–18)
• Organize a new project!

Visit overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark for more info

In September 2022, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to develop the lots at 6635 and 6643 Walter Avenue as a site for urban agriculture. Proposals were submitted and in April community members heard from these three candidates that met the DHCD’s requirements:

1. Piper Phillips Caswell, SpringForward Farms: This nonprofit proposed 4 permanent hydroponic greenhouses. The 8-14 jobs created by this proposal are intended for those with mental health/behavior barriers.
2. Versammy Family, NV Organics: As farmers from Guiana now residing in Baltimore, they have maxed out their current crop capacity and would like to buy the property to expand their endeavors, donating their surpluses to churches/food pantries and their neighbors.
3. Baltimore Compost Collective: Currently operational in Curtis Bay, they want a second location. They collect food scraps for composting at the Filbert Street Community Garden. It is used to grow fresh produce, build urban food security and develop a youth workforce training program. This proposal should be decided upon in May and the OCA will let the community know the outcome.

Considering New Plants?

Think about adding plants native to Maryland to give yourself the best chance of success. They thrive in our soil, reduce erosion, and provide the best food for our pollinator friends. Below is a list of plants commonly planted this time of year, and a native plant option for you to consider:

Instead of these:

• Day Lillies
• Irises
• Azalea Bushes
• Forsythia
• Japanese Honeysuckle
• Butterfly Bush
• Burning Bush

Plant these!

• Trout Lily
• Dwarf Iris/Blue Flag Iris
• Button Bush or Pixar Azalea
• Spice Bush
• Trumpet Vine Honeysuckle
• Milkweed
• Virginia Sweet Spire

Our closest Native Nursery is Herring Run Nursery at 6131 Hillen Rd, Baltimore, MD 21239. The knowledgeable folks there will help you turn your yard into a pollinator paradise!

Join us at this year’s Fullerton Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, July 1 with food vendors and live music starting at 2 p.m. Come out for a day of fun, great food, entertainment and the largest fireworks display in the state. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, July 2. Volunteers are needed to help out that day. Please contact us at FullertonFireworksFoundation@gmail.

As we enter our 10th year keeping our 14 Belair Road flower pots planted, we want to thank Linover resident Dan Trupia, owner of Advantage Lawn and Landscaping. He receives part of his payment as the business ad he places in the OCA Newsletter. This lowers the cost for the OCA to use his services. The flower pots are lovely and Dan’s company does a terrific job. Thanks Dan!

The Overlea Community Association has received a $3,000 grant from Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan for planting and maintaining 14 flower pots along Belair Road. This is the 10th year for this generous grant. Thank you, Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan- we could not do this beautification project without your help. Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan is a great friend to the Overlea community.

Save the dates for our eighth season of this community treasure! The Overlea Farmer’s Market, organized by your Overlea Community Association, begins on Saturday, June 10 and continues every other Saturday, including June 24, July 8, July 22, August 5, August 19; Sept. 2, Sept. 16, Sept. 30; Oct. 14 and Oct. 28.

We’ll be located in the parking lot of the Natural History Society of MD (6908 Belair Rd), from 8:30am to 12:30pm. So plan to come out and support local farmers, bakers, and craft makers this season. Also be sure to bring your food scraps for composting! We accept all fruit and veggie scraps, egg shells, nut shells, teabags and coffee grinds and filters (no bones, yard waste, dairy, or meat). Volunteers (at least 16 years old) are needed to help with opening and closing the Farmers Market. This includes setting up/breaking down canopies, moving, lifting tables and boxes and vendor assistance. Community service hours are available. Please email Doris (dfpoling18@yahoo.com), Brent (ceryesb@gmail.com) or Liz (e.mullan14@gmail.com) if you can help. See you at the market!

Image: Cannery-Davis-California ©Inhabitat

Renewing Overlea

Sustainable Community Designation

The Baltimore County Department of Planning is working with the Overlea community to renew the Hillendale/Parkville/Overlea Sustainable Community Designation. The Sustainable Communities Program is a place-based designation awarded to local government by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

The program offers a comprehensive package of resources that support holistic strategies for community development, revitalization and sustainability. Obtaining the designation opens eligibility for state programs and resources, such as Community Legacy and the Strategic Demolition Fund.

Community members can learn more about opportunities to participate and find updates on the renewal process’ progress at https://sustainablecommunityrenewals-bc-gis.hub.arcgis.com/. The Dundalk and Reisterstown communities are also working with the Department of Planning to renew their designations this summer. Department of Planning staff members are encouraging our community members to send question and/or comments to suscommhillendalepv@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Planting Trees, Removing Invasives

Our neighborhood has numerous historic trees, but as they age, many have been cut down. Plus, older trees often struggle with invasive vines that weaken them and make damage more likely in bad weather.

The Value of Trees

Trees increase the value of our homes, provide significant cooling in summer, offer countless environmental benefits, and improve Overlea’s appearance. To maintain the healthy tree cover that has long distinguished Overlea, we need to protect the trees we have and replace the ones that have been taken down.

“The Overlea Community Association (OCA) is launching two initiatives to protect our community’s diminishing tree canopy.”

MELISSA DAVIS, PRESIDENT OF THE OCA

Initiative #1 – 100 New Trees

The OCA has a goal of planting 100 trees in our neighborhood in the next year. We need your help!

The OCA is working on organizing free or significantly discounted Maryland-native trees for
Overlea residents. The OCA is happy to help neighbors plant new trees, as well.

If you’re interested in participating, please submit the form below!*

Initiative #2 – Removing Invasives

The OCA is addressing the harmful invasive vines that are damaging Overlea’s trees. All hands on deck! English Ivy and Japanese Honeysuckle threaten mature trees by weighing them down. The increased weight can create a hazard for nearby structures in inclement weather because it contributes to limb breakage and tree collapse.

If you’d like to help, please submit the form below!*

Yes — I want to keep Overlea green!

Follow the OCA on Facebook to keep up with the latest events and news.

We’re Still Composting

The OCA will continue to collect compost in the parking lot of the Natural History Society of Maryland (6908 Belair Road) beginning Saturday November 5 from 9:30-10:30 am. This will continue every other week, through the winter and spring, until the Farmer’s Market begins next year.

What Can We Take?

We accept all fruit and veggie scraps, egg shells, nuts shells, teabags and coffee grinds and filters. Please, no bones, yard waste, dairy, or meat. Many of our neighbors who routinely bring their compost will store it in their freezers until the collection day. The compost is taken to Ladybrook Farms in Monkton, Maryland where it provides feed for their free range chickens, ducks and geese. The chickens especially love pumpkins, gourds and fall squash!

Why It’s Important

The compost enriches the soil in which Ladybrook Farm grows the flowers sold at our Overlea Farmer’s Market. Composting helps reduce the effects of climate change by diverting food waste from landfills and promotes nutrient rich soil. In addition, it increases the water holding capacity of soil. And because the soil is less dry, composting works to reduce soil erosion. Food that is deposited in landfills is a large contributor of methane to the atmosphere, so it is important to reduce this waste as much as possible.

Hope to see you join the community effort to save the environment!

Help make our streets litter free!

Please join us this Saturday (11/12) for a neighborhood clean up. We will provide all the supplies needed.

We’re meeting up at the Overlea Bus Turnaround at 10am. From there we will walk up Belair Rd. tidying up as much as we can. Below is a map of the general area (in red) we’ll be focusing on. Hope to see you there. If you can’t make it, at least give us a friendly honk if you’re driving by!

Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA) along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) welcomes all the qualifying residents of Baltimore County to register for an appointment at our regional application assistance events.

In addition to getting help with the application process, we will have various internet/wireless service providers available for you to learn more about and/or set up your service.

Who Qualifies?

There are four (4) ways your household can qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP):

• Based on your household income – Single – $27,180, Couple – $36,620, Trio – $46,060
• If you or anyone in your household already receives a Lifeline benefit
• You may qualify for the ACP through a participating provider’s existing low-income program
• If you or someone in your household participates in one of these programs you are automatically eligible for ACP:
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year