Envisioning a new Springhill Lake: Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center
Disclaimer: The opinions and commentary expressed in this blog post are my own and therefore might not represent the views and policies of the Chesapeake Education, Arts & Research Society, the City of Greenbelt, or any affiliated organization or person.
In 1935, during the Great Depression, the Roosevelt Administration launched the "New Deal" initiative to revitalize America's economy by hiring the unemployed and putting them back to work building new infrastructure and restoring the environment. One such project was for the federal government to build, construct, and maintain "New Deal Towns" which were intended to be a refreshing alternatives to the developing urban slums of that era. Each of these planned communities would feature a town center with restaurants, stores, banks, a post office, and other amenities all within walking distance for each resident. New Deal towns would be arranged into superblocks with rows of houses or apartments that included a garden space and interconnecting pathways that would all lead to the town center. The pathways would also include underpasses underneath roads so that walkers and bikers never had to cross a busy street (see Figure 1). Each of these planned towns would be surrounded by a ring of green space, or a greenbelt. The federal government established three Greenbelt towns: (1) Greendale, Wisconsin; (2) Greenhills, Ohio; and (3) Greenbelt, Maryland. A fourth town was planned for New Jersey but never materialized (St. John and Young, 2011).
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| Figure 1: A pedestrian underpass in Greenbelt, MD. |
The Maryland city of Greenbelt in particular has some of the best preserved remnants of its New Deal Town days. Greenbelt is near Washington, DC and was bought from the federal government by private citizens in 1952 (St John and Young, 2011) and is now an independent municipality of Prince George's County. Since that time, it has retained much of the art-deco style of buildings, it's superblock layout, and much if its original greenbelt is now protected as a forest preserve (figure 2). The city has also preserved and continued many of its civic organizations, including community garden programs and environmental conservation initiatives. .
Overtime, as the Washington and Baltimore regions grew, Greenbelt began to succumb to some of the growing pains of suburban sprawl. Several large highways were built right through the city, including the traffic clogged Capital Beltway as well as an enormous metro station that rushes people out of Greenbelt into Washington. Additionally, most sections of the original greenbelt has been subdivided and developed with houses, apartments, strip malls, and large roads. As a consequence, the city has been "divided" into three sections (two of which were annexed into the city sometime after 1952): Greenbelt West, Old Town Greenbelt, and Greenbelt East (see figure 3).
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| Figure 2: Greenbelt, Maryland has preserved much of its historical and natural resources. |
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| Figure 3: The three main areas of Greenbelt plus Greenbelt Park. Notice the superblock arrangement of the old town section of Greenbelt). |
The Springhill Lake Recreation Center and surrounding parkland was opened in 1975 to meet the needs of a growing population in the western section of Greenbelt (Greenbelt - West) (St. John and Young, 2011). Greenbelt-West is dominated by the Franklin Park Apartments. Opened during the 1960s as the Springhill Lake Apartments, it was one of the largest apartment and town-home complexes ever constructed in the United States at the time.
The recreation center, located on 6101 Cherrywood Lane in Greenbelt and across the street from the Greenbelt Metro Station, features a gym, a computer lab, offices for recreation department staff, and a separate clubhouse building that can be rented out for community meetings and events. The outside area features a playground, basketball courts, and picnic tables, and a small stream flows through the property.
Over time, Springhill Lake suffered a decline. The development of the Green Line of the Metro in the early 1990s provided an efficient means for Springhill Lake (now Franklin Park) residents to quickly move in and out of Greenbelt for jobs in Washington. Therefore, the residents in Greenbelt-West became more transient. Urban development in the area accelerated rapidly and without much planning or thought, leading to frequent traffic congestion on Greenbelt Road (MD 193) as well as noise and fume pollution from cars, trucks, and trains. The Indian Creek corridor, which had just been started to recover from deforestation during the early parts of the 20th century was once again in decline due to urban stormwater runoff, water pollution, erosion, and trash. The Springhill Lake parkland suffered all of these ailments as well as vandalism, invasive species, and general neglect.
Within the past few years, things have begun to change at Springhill Lake . In 2010, The Chesapeake Education, Arts & Research Society (CHEARS), a local nonprofit that promotes and facilitates volunteer projects, partnered with the city to start revitalizing the Springhill Lake site. They began by organizing volunteers to construct the Three Sisters Demonstration Garden, an organic, eco-friendly gardening demonstration plot based upon a Native American style of agricultural known as the "Three Sisters" where corn, beans, and squash would be grown together to provide mutual support to one another (figure 4). For example, squash would run along the ground blocking out weeds while the corn would provide a support structure for beans to climb. The gardens of course now have much more than just corn, beans, and squash and now include a pollinator garden, herb gardens, vegetables, and others (figure 5). This idea of mutual support was also intended to exemplify mutual support for the community as a whole. CHEARS established two more of these gardens in the other two sections of Greenbelt (figure 3).
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| Figure 4: One of the Three Sisters Demonstration Garden Plots in Greenbelt. |
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| Figure 5: Design principal for one of the Three Sisters Demonstration Garden plots in Greenbelt, MD. |
In 2011, CHEARS also began construction of a food forest at the Springhill Lake park area. A food forest, or a forest garden, is a form of agricultural system that mimics a natural forest ecosystem, where "crops" are planted in layers similar to a natural forest ecosystem (figure 6 and figure 7). When a food forest reaches maturity, it acts as a self fertilizing, self-watering system much like a natural forest. It also has the double benefit of providing wildlife habitat and forest products for people! Forest gardening generally uses plants that are indigenous to a local area.
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| Figure 6: The layers of a forest ecosystem |
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| Figure 7: The long-term plan for the food forest at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center in Greenbelt, MD. Source: Lincoln Smith, Forested, LLC (2014). |
CHEARS also worked with the City of Greenbelt on construction and planting of two rain gardens at the end of the parking lot at Springhill Lake (figure 8). A rain garden is a bed of native plants that is designed to intercept urban runoff. Rain gardens help slow the flow of stormwater, filter pollutants, and provides aesthetically pleasing wildlife habitat.
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| Figure 8: Rain garden at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center in Greenbelt, MD. |
The presence of urban ecological restoration areas such as the gardens and the food forest as well as the increased participation from children and families from the Franklin Park apartments has put the Springhill Lake Recreation Center and park back on the map, and the park is slowly transforming into a center for urban sustainability and renewal.
Yet Springhill Lake still has much room for improvement. The programs offered inside the recreation center are inadequate. The recreational programming places most of it's emphasis on basketball for young boys inside a gym and the recreation department coordinators do little to take advantage of the developing environmental education resources that are footsteps away from the confines of their aging 1970s-era building.
The constituents who use the recreation center are mostly low income youth who are often without supervision (except among a few recreation center staff who spend most of their time hanging out in the back office) and whose parents cannot afford to send their kids to a fancy summer camp or other educational retreat.
The gradual development of environmental education and urban revitalization projects initiated by CHEARS and other organizations combined with the additional need of enhancement of the recreation center's programming and building has led me to suggest that the recreation center and park is in need of a reform in management. Therefore, I propose the establishment of what I will call the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center.
I suggest that CHEARS, the city, and other organizations examine the work done in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the development of their urban ecology centers, as I feel it best resembles what Greenbelt could potentially have.
The mission of Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center (2014) is to:
- Provide outdoor science education for urban youth
- Protect and use public natural areas, making them safe, accessible and vibrant
- Preserve and enhance these natural areas and their surrounding waters
- Promote community by offering resources that support learning, volunteerism,
- stewardship, recreation and camaraderie
- Practice and model environmentally responsible behaviors
Much like Springhill Lake, the Urban Ecology Center started their work in a neglected urban park. At first they were set up in a trailer that they used for nature education classes. They also coordinated efforts to remove trash and invasive species from the park, and the Center's staff taught people how to grow gardens.
Despite Milwaukee's urban blight problems and economic struggles, the community supported the Urban Ecology Center, and they opened their first permanent facility in Milwaukee's Riverside Park in 2004. Since then, they have opened two additional facilities in the southern and western sections of the town.
Each Urban Ecology Center features a "green building" overlooking a park (figure 9). The building uses renewable energy (with exhibits and signs to show it off) including solar panels, gray water systems, recycled materials, non-toxic paints and other energy saving materials. Their buildings include a front lobby area with exhibits about the park and about the Center, as well as classrooms with live wildlife displays and meeting areas. Steps lead visitors to the top of the building to see what the landscape looks like from above.
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| Figure 9: The Menomonee Valley branch of Milwaukee's urban ecology center opened in 2012 in a blighted urban neighborhood. The building used to be a sports bar that was soon gutted and expanded. |
The outside areas feature native plant gardens, rain cisterns, water-bottle refilling stations, and pathways that connect to the neighboring parks (see figures 10 and 11).
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| Figure 10: Native landscaping and rain cisterns outside of the Urban Ecology Center |
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| Figure 11: A water bottle refilling station near the trail-head of a bike path outside of the Urban Ecology Center |
The development of the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center was a smashing success that has complemented Milwaukee's economic revitalization efforts. I believe Springhill Lake could evolve to become more like Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center.
Although there have been many key players active in the revitalization of Springhill Lake, CHEARS has been the principal organization in the development, funding, and facilitation of the environmental restoration projects that have taken place there (e.g. the food forest, the Three Sisters garden, outdoor classroom space, etc.). Using the 'CHEARS' acronym, I will list off one-by-one my main ideas for the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center:
Chesapeake. The Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center could become a watershed education and demonstrate site. In addition to the existing rain gardens, the entire park could be retrofitted with "stormwater friendly" technologies and landscapes. Examples include a toolshed with a green roof, larger and more rain cisterns, pervious pavement in the parking lot and on sidewalks, a greywater system for the building, a rehabilitated riparian zone along the stream, and indoor and outdoor interpretive exhibits that highlight or show off the stormwater mitigation features that help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The front entrance to the building where the front desk and lobby area is could be renovated and turned into an indoor "museum" or visitor center with a large mural showing the location of the Indian Creek watershed and how the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center fits into the rest of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Education. The Three Sisters Garden, the rain gardens, and the food forest can continue to serve as outdoor classrooms teaching people about native plants and wildlife as well as bay friendly gardening and permaculture. The recreation center building could perhaps be expanded and include a wildlife observation lounge with bird feeders, similar to what a nature center would have. The building could also be expanded to include additional classroom space, or the existing clubhouse could be used as indoor classroom or lab space. The Center could be staffed by permanent environmental educates who could facilitate classes and workshops for school groups as well as coordinate volunteers to help maintain the grounds.
Arts. The Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center could also serve as a space for artistic expression. Again, the recreation center building itself could be modified to include space for art exhibitions. There could also be an artistic interpretive sign for the Three Sisters Gardens and food forest. Staff and volunteers could also lead nature-art workshops or even teach art classes with an environmental theme.
Research. The proximity of Springhill Lake to the University of Maryland, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Washington, DC, and other science-oriented places would perhaps make the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center a place for renewable energy research and demonstrations. The gym inside the current recreation center would be retrofitted with green energy technologies and could also serve as a multi-purpose room for renewable energy demonstrations, science fairs, and other events and programs that center around environmental sustainability.
Society. Much like the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center, the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center could serve as an "environmental community center." It could potentially hold offices for Greenbelt staff such as the sustainability coordinator, environmental educators, an office for an intern, and perhaps for partner organizations such as the Citizens for the Conservation and Restoration of Indian Creek and other watershed conservation groups. To help generate revenue for the center, perhaps there could be a small coffee shop or snack bar selling organic coffee and food. This coffee shop could have a sandwich board along the pathway attracting commuters headed for the Greenbelt Metro Station as well as a casual place for people to gather and meet. Finally, the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center could provide resources to underserved children in Greenbelt-West, such as a place to hang out and do arts and crafts, explore the creek and food forest, and be immersed in nature.
So why go through all of the efforts and expenditures to reform the Springhill Lake Recreation Center into an Urban Ecology Center? Again, using the CHEARS acronym, I would like outline my justifications for engaging in such an endeavor.
Chesapeake. Enhancing the landscape with native wildflowers and with stormwater mitigation features not only looks attractive but also helps prevent flooding, reduces water pollution of our drinking water sources, and protects native biodiversity. Communities that protect their natural resources and invest in green infrastructure are perhaps more resilient to economic and climate change because they've kept their life support systems intact.
Education. There is a growing need in our public education system for hands-on learning and science activities. The Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center could essentially became a living classroom for nature education and renewable energy projects, and the surrounding food forest and gardens could provide a space for "service-learning" programs that are required for high school graduation in the state of Maryland. The location of the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center would be easily accessible by foot, bike, or public transportation to students and others. In addition to formal education spaces, the Greenbelt Urban Ecology center could offer workshops, interpretive walks, and other means of informal education for general community members who want to learn more about how they can live in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Arts. Art programs and other initiatives that foster creative expression is an integral part of anyone's education, as it can encourage people to think innovatively with respect to solving problems in their communities. Art, especially public art, can also help revitalize degraded neighborhoods. Environmental problems are often complex and emotionally taxing. Therefore, art can be a great outlet for people to express their concerns and woes about our environmental situation in a way that is productive and healthy.
Research. Art can be potential gateways into thinking more creatively and can foster innovation. Active research into solving our environmental problems could turn ideas into feasible actions. The Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center could be a place for research by local university students, public school science programs, visiting scientists, interested community members and others. Regions that invest in research and scientific thinking are often more progressive when it comes to economic revitalization, protection of natural resources, and for attracting educated and skilled workers. Finally, the presence of a resource available to lower income families with children could help resolve environmental justice issues in Greenbelt's poorer and less advantaged western section of town.
Society. Besides the environmental restoration benefits and educational value, perhaps the most important aspect of the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center would be its role in revitalizing and enhancing the economy and character of Greenbelt-West. The presence of a buzzing community center with butterfly gardens, solar panels, and happy people planting trees and flowers could make the neighborhood more appealing to prospective homeowners and businesses. Instead of being a place where people run to catch the next Metro Train or who must tolerate the development of another pointless and unattractive strip mall, their neighborhood would feature a unique place with character. The economic benefits from the development of an Urban Ecology Center in this neighborhood of Greenbelt is something that should not be overlooked but instead examined carefully.
The development of the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center is an ambitious idea at the least, and in practice would involve many years of careful planning and fundraising. However, Springhill Lake is already on its way there with becoming an Urban Ecology Center. The development and enhancement of CHEARS' Three Sisters Demonstration Gardens and Food Forest, the proposed Living Wall installation, the increased role of Franklin Park Apartments residents in keeping the park clean, and other initiatives prove that the idea of environmental sustainability as now becoming the central theme for Springhill Lake!
That being said, it is unlikely that the City of Greenbelt can or would want to fund the development of the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center alone - and they don't have to! Greenbelt is in a great location with many resources. The following list of organizations could be reached out to as potential partners for the development and funding of the Greenbelt Urban Ecology Center (this list is in no particular order):
- Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society (CHEARS)
- University of Maryland
- Taproots
- Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission
- Greenbelt Community Foundation
- National Park Service
- Chesapeake Bay Trust
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Anacostia Watershed Society
- Citizens for the Conservation and Restoration of Indian Creek
- Maryland DNR
- National Audubon Society
- Sierra Club
- Maryland Native Plant Society
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- NASA
- Prince George's County Public Schools
- Washington Metro Area Transit Authority
- Greenbelt Community Solar
- PEPCO
- Club 125
- Prince George's County Department of Environment
- Alice Ferguson Foundation
- Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
- Audubon Naturalist's Society
While finding adequate funding will be a challenge, it will be our imaginations that are the limit in making this project a reality. It is up to the Greenbelt community if they would rather see Greenbelt-West be a desolate area of suburban sprawl or if they would rather it be a thriving and unique community with justice and care for our natural resources and for people.
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| A young girl shows excitement after harvesting a fresh cucumber growing in the Three Sisters Demonstration Garden at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center in Greenbelt, MD. |
References
John, J., & Young, M. (2011). Images of America: Greenbelt. Arcadia Publishing.
Urban Ecology Center. (2014, January 1). Retrieved August 8, 2014.
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