Projects: Land Preservation and Robert E. Lee Park

The Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland communities greatly value open space and the rural character of their neighborhoods. However, a lack of uniform distribution of these areas detracts from the community at large.

Active Recreation facilities are provided at Riderwood Elementary School, located in the north central part of the community, and Ruxton Center (school), located on the eastern edge of the community, however, neighborhoods located on the western and southern parts of the community have no public facilities.

Passive Recreation Lake Roland is one of the most valued assets in the community. It contains unique natural features such as pine barrens, serpentine rock landforms and forests. Three major streams converge into Lake Roland — Towson Run, Roland Run and Jones Falls. The open space, stream valleys, hiking trails and open water in the park provide respite for both city and county residents. Preservation of open space is a concern. Open space is comprised of:

• Public land owned and maintained by the county, state or city. Baltimore City owns Robert E. Lee Park, and is responsible for its maintenance. Baltimore County owns adjacent land extending north along Roland Run and south from Lake Roland Dam along the Jones Falls.
• Recreational spaces at local schools are the joint responsibility of Baltimore County Board of
• Education and Baltimore County Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Conservancy and privately owned land.

The public open space should not be developed without compelling reason and agreement of the community.

Privately Owned Parcels within the community are under tremendous pressure to develop. Again, the community opposes variance requests or zoning changes that enable development. Seeking alternatives to development in order to preserve open spaces, natural environment, and the rural character is highly encouraged. Examples include:

• The Land Preservation Trust
• Programs such as ‘NeighborSpace’ or ‘Adopt-a-Lot’ which help preserve the smaller open spaces
• The community is proactively dedicated to preserving open space.

Stream and Stream Valley degradation is the other key concern of the community. Stream valleys intersect most communities in the area. They include the Jones Falls, Roland Run and Towson Run, as well as many smaller feeder streams. Over-development and impervious paving in upstream communities contributes to the deterioration of stream valleys and causes more severe and frequent flooding and erosion.

Summary of Goals:

• Preserve and maintain existing parkland
• Preserve and protect natural resources
• Preserve the visual landscape
• Increase usable acreage for active and passive recreation
• Preserve and improve outdoor recreation facilities
• Promote land trust to preserve open space and natural resources

Issues & Actions:

Issue #1: Robert E Lee Park is the community’s greatest open space resource but there are several serious issues of concern:

• The developed part of the park at the southern end has become a magnet “off-leash” dog exercise area. This has resulted in fecal pollution and shoreline erosion that further speeds the siltation of Lake Roland. There are many angry confrontations between dog walkers and other park users.
• The paths at the Falls Road (west) side of the park are created by and heavily used by trail bikes.
• There are potentially dangerous conflicts between trail bike riders and pedestrians.
• Repeated, heavy use by both bikers and hikers leads to degradation of trails and creation of new trails which has created a negative effect on the natural beauty of this forested oasis.
• Respondents to the community survey expressed interest in repairing and maintaining the area formerly used as a rugby field.
• Park access for much of the community is limited.

Action 1.1 [RRLRAIA board] Establish a Land Preservation Committee (LPC) to promote the policies outlined above and address the issues in this section of the Community Plan. Include a member of the Robert E. Lee Park Conservancy (RELPC) on this committee.

Action 1.2 [LPC & RELPC] Solicit support and input from other neighborhood associations, conservancies and task forces in the area around REL Park.

Action 1.3 [LPC] Participate in City and County master plan processes.

Action 1.4 [LPC & RELPC] Working with representatives of concerned neighborhoods, develop a statement of community positions on park issues and work with Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks to resolve the issues.

Action 1.5 [LPC & RELPC] Work with Baltimore City and County to improve and maintain the park.

Action 1.6 [LPC & RELPC] Educate the public and neighbors to demand enforcement of City and County laws in the park, including dog regulations.

Action 1.7 [LPC & RELPC] Establish communication with off road bicycle groups to limit trail use to designated areas maintained by the bicyclists and to promote courteous behavior by the bicyclists. Invite input regarding rules and penalties. Consider establishment of “Trail Club” to help park staff maintain and police trails.

Action 1.8 [LPC & RELPC] Work with Baltimore City to have a permanent on-site police presence to enforce regulations in the Park and discourage crime.

Action 1.9 [LPC] Cooperate with the Walks and Trails Committee to develop a system of trails to the Park with limited neighborhood access.

Issue #2: Robert E. Lee Park is unusual in the respect that it is a city-owned park located in the County. Although city residents do travel to use the park, many county residents also use the park. Without this park, the community would have very little public open space.

Baltimore City has limited resources to devote to park maintenance, supervision and development. More resources are needed to protect the park assets, the park users and park neighbors.

Action 2.1 [LPC & RELPC] Explore the possibility of shared planning, management, and maintenance of Robert E. Lee Park between Baltimore City (owner) and Baltimore County (location of park).

Issue #3: The zoning for Robert E. Lee Park is currently residential. Although the City at this time has no intention of selling off any portions of the park, the current zoning would permit residential development.

Action 3.1 [LPC] Work with Baltimore County to develop a park overlay zoning designation and other protective control to assure the preservation of the park.

Issue #4: Development of property adjacent to the park would detract from the park visually, functionally and environmentally

Action 4.1 [LPC] Explore ways to acquire certain adjacent properties that come up for sale on a case-by-case basis through the use of innovative methods such as land trusts, non-profit development corporations, etc.

Issue #5: Additional development reduces open space.

Action 5.1 [LPC] Work with Zoning and Development Committee to promote the Land Preservation Trust and donations of easements by the landowners of large subdividable lots. If necessary, provide professional services needed to establish land trust.

Action 5.2 [LPC] Educate communities to the importance of continued vigilance in zoning matters such as proposed variances and special exceptions that impact valued open spaces.

Issue #6: Natural resources of the community — stream, woodlands and wetlands — are threatened by poor watershed management.

Action 6.1 [LPC] Support current regulations that provide stream protection and insist on county enforcement of these regulations. Vigorously oppose any variances or reduction of environmental restrictions.

Action 6.2 [LPC] Promote community awareness, especially streamside landowners, of good watershed management practices. Obtain and distribute literature, submit articles to newsletter and newspapers and conduct “information sessions” featuring environmental experts. Join forces with established organizations such as “Save our Streams”.

Action 6.3 [LPC] Support County Master Plan goals to preserve stream corridors such as Towson Run and Roland Run for passive use only.

Issue #7: The Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland Area has very few active recreation facilities

Action 7.1 [LPC] Consider possible improvements for open space in Essex Farm Park and the Ridge School which has been closed. Also consider bicycle/pedestrian linkage to the proposed Meadowood Park in addition to or in lieu of new facilities in the community.

Action 7.2 [LPC] Promote development and maintenance of small neighborhood parks utilizing programs such as Adopt-a-Lot or NeighborSpace.

Issue #8: Proposals to develop Lake Roland as a more active recreation facility are being considered, however, many residents prefer the current passive use

Action 8.1 [LPC] Express community attitudes to Baltimore City Parks Department and insist that any plans for the park be developed with early input by the community.