Current Efforts

20 years after its inception, the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation has revived the Greening of Dundalk Program.  Currently led by the DRC's Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, Marisa Olszewski, Marisa and DRC's Greening Committee are planning future tree plantings, trash clean-ups, and more throughout the Dundalk community.  Have a suggested location?  Want to volunteer?  Contact Marisa at 410.282.0261 or marisa@dundalkusa.org.

Greening Projects Spring 2010

April 10, 2010

Project Clean Stream - Volunteers came out to clean streams,creeks, and waterfront sites throughout Dundalk.  Thanks to volunteer efforts, we've kept another 2,000 lbs of trash from ending up in our local waterways and polluting the Chesapeake Bay. 

Click here to see a slideshow of images from this clean-up.

April 17, 2010

PLANT OFF! - The Owls and the Patriots went to battle!  Dundalk High School had 44 participating volunteers.  Patapsco made a good showing with 34 volunteers - including alumni from the class of 1966.  And everyone won!  51 new trees are growing in Dundalk thanks to the efforts of these two high school communities. 

Click here to see a slideshow from this spirited tree planting. 

Our Recent Accomplishments

Tree Plantings - In Fall 2008 and Spring 2009, the DRC's Greening of Dundalk initiative mobilized over 200 volunteers who planted over 100 trees and 50 shrubs in Stansbury Park, at the Ateaze Senior Center, the Dundalk Main Street, and in yards and along sidewalks in three different neighborhoods.  But we're just getting started-- check our Events calendar for upcoming planting dates and other volunteer opportunities!  Or download a neighborhood tree planting application and plan a planting in your own neighborhood for Spring 2010!

Download How to Plant a Tree and After Planting Tree Care Tips (PDF)

Community Clean-Ups - Our clean-ups began in response to resident outrage about litter in our Main Street, and they have expanded to include neighborhoods all over Dundalk, and cleaning up waterfront parks as part of our "Bear Creek Challenge" with Save Our Streams.  In every case, we challenge residents and businesses to take an active role in addressing the litter in their neighborhoods - it won't pick itself up!  Hundreds of DRC Team Dundalk volunteers have picked up trash in West Inverness, Old Dundalk, Stansbury Park, St. Helena Park, Turner Station Park, Heritage Park, The Dundalk Main Street, Veterans Park, Merritt Park, Merritt Boulevard, and Berkshire.

Sponsors and Partners - DRC works with volunteers from a number of neighborhood associations and organizations, along with students from area Middle and High Schools, with assistance from the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management.  Keller Williams Realty employees planted trees and shrubs as part of a company in-service day in our Maple Street area.  Developer John Vontran provided a water truck and helped other volunteers water the trees in the Dundalk Avenue Streetscape.  Don's Services has played an invaluable role assisting with removing tons of trash during numerous clean-ups.  Danielle Alderson, Owner of the Chick-Fil-a on Eastern Avenue, has generously provided food for volunteers which makes everyone look forward to clean-up days!  The Greening of Dundalk is part of the Cleaner, Greener Baltimore Initiative through a grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation.  Our greening activities also rely on funding from the State of Maryland and the generous contributions of DRC members. 
 

 

History of the Greening of Dundalk

First established in 1988, the Greening of Dundalk program was a volunteer effort formed by members of the Greater Dundalk Community Council.  It was born out of residents’ concerns for the declining population of street trees, especially in the historic district. 

After a survey of the street trees coordinated with the Baltimore County Forestry Board in the spring and summer of 1988, the Greening of Dundalk formed to address the problem of the need for replacement of nearly 400 trees.  Community members worked with the Penn State-sponsored Municipal Tree Restoration Program and BG&E to select appropriate, field-tested street tree species for replacement.  BG&E purchased the replacement trees to be planted beneath transmission lines. 

The program to replace the trees in Historic Dundalk lasted three years.  The effort was so successful that community members who had been involved in the effort and volunteered to plant the trees chose to continue the effort with further tree plantings around Dundalk. 

The Greening of Dundalk program continued through volunteer effort for many years.  The Maryland Urban Community Forest Committee awarded the Greening of Dundalk with multiple PLANT awards following the establishment of their tree planting programs.  Over two decades, Greening of Dundalk volunteers had planted more than 2000 trees throughout greater Dundalk!