NeighborSpace has been partnering with the Graystone Community Association since 2009 when the Association reached out with the request to preserve a quarter-acre vacant lot as community open space. Since then, “the lot” – as it is affectionately called by neighbors – has hosted countless community meetings, movie nights, volleyball and badminton games, crochet circles, flea markets, and more. As Association Board member and NeighborSpace stewardship partner Kerri Lastner shared at a NeighborSpace house party last year, especially during the 2020 COVID pandemic the lot was “a lifesaver, allowing the community to safely come together”.

Graystone Community Open Space is a simple space: a steep slope with a handicap ramp leads to a level, rectangular lawn. It is anchored by a community sign, several large black walnut trees and a fence. Standing at the top of the lot affords a lovely view of Woodlawn and lower-lying neighborhoods.

Now the Graystone community is ready to enhance the lot with features that will make it an environmentally and socially more appealing space. Since there is some uncertainty as to the interest and capacity of the community to maintain landscaping, the Community Association suggested drawing up a “master plan” that can be installed piece by piece. NeighborSpace wholeheartedly supports this approach, as we have learned that maintenance can be a challenge. Installing successive smaller gardens will allow us to provide the education, training, and funding needed to establish plantings while simultaneously growing a team of committed neighborhood volunteers. 

As luck would have it, Landscape Architect Kelly Fleming was looking for a project for her undergraduate “Community Design Studio” class at University of Maryland. We are thrilled to share that Ms. Fleming’s class has embraced this project and we look forward to seeing the students’ visions for the park!

Ms. Fleming’s class is following a process very similar to how NeighborSpace works “behind the scenes” when restoring a property. Ms. Fleming met with Graystone and NeighborSpace leadership to nail down the goal, process, and timeline for designing the space. The entire class then visited Woodlawn for a site visit and tour of the area. Mrs. Lastner highlighted the merits of the Open Space and how the community likes to use it, and then took the group on an impromptu guided tour of the neighborhood, Woodlawn Village, and Gwynn Oak Park to provide historical context.