If you value local open space and support NeighborSpace’s work, please consider joining NeighborSpace staff and Board members at the Baltimore County budget town halls. Please let Phyllis know if you are able to attend ( Phyllis@neighborspacebaltimorecounty.org) and if you have any questions. 

There are a few different ways you can help us advocate for more open space and/or more funding for NeighborSpace.

1. Speak at your District town hall. The dates, times and locations are listed below, as well as a sample script. After the County Executive’s budget presentation, residents who have signed up are given 90 seconds to speak or ask a question on their budget idea or priority. Please register beforehand by emailing townhall@baltimorecountymd.gov with the following information:

• Your district and the area where you live (Example: District 2, Owings Mills). If you don’t know your District, you can find it here.
• Name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Budget priority you will be speaking on (open space)

2. Attend the Community Cabinet Open House which will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of each town hall meeting. This is new this year and offers residents an opportunity to engage directly with key Baltimore County Department leaders to learn about available resources and to ask individual questions. 
3. Send an email. If you are not able to speak, you can advocate to prioritize open space and/or NeighborSpace in the FY24 budget by sending an email to townhall@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Town hall schedule

District 1: Wednesday March 8, 6:30-8pm, CCBC Catonsville Center for the Arts building
District 2: Wednesday February 1, 6:30-8pm, Gordon Center
District 3: Wednesday March 15, 6:30-8pm, Fasig-Tipton building at the Maryland State Fairgrounds
District 4: Wednesday March 22, 6:30-8pm, Randallstown Community Center
District 5: Thursday Feb 16, 6:30-8pm, Vincent Farm ES
District 6: Wednesday March 1, 6:30-8pm, Towson HS
District 7: Wednesday February 8, 6:30-8pm, Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center

Sample text

My name is _______ and I live in ______________ in the ____ Councilmanic District. The pandemic showed us that trails, parks and green spaces are in high demand for walking, biking, hiking and enjoyment of nature. Unfortunately, they are in short supply near my house. (If true, add: There is not a park or trail within walking distance and/or there are few safe places to walk). This deficit has negative impacts on my health, the value of my home, and on water and air quality near where I live. From what I can see in the County’s current capital budget*, there is little money for the acquisition and improvement of new land for pocket parks and trails in communities inside the URDL like mine. This means that communities like mine that need open space continue to go without it. For these reasons, please allocate more funds for the acquisition and improvement of new land for pocket parks, trails and natural areas in Baltimore County.

 
*The FY23 capital budget for Baltimore County is here: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/budfin/budget/