6/29/26 | Will Kaselow, Community Conservation Manager

This month we welcomed the summer with song, hosting live music events at two of our sites! First, Patrick Alban and his Buena Vista Social Club joined us at Ridgely Manor Park in Towson on one of the hottest nights of the year so far. Despite the heat, people from the neighborhood and beyond came out to lounge, dance, and chat in the shade of the big beautiful oaks and beeches at the park. We also picked mulberries and played on the playground while soaking in the music. Special thanks to the NeighborSpace board members who came out to help, as well as our partners at the Baltimore County Arts Guild who brought out fun and creative activities for the kids who attended the concert.

Second, we worked with our partners at Neighborhood Companions to put on a beautiful Sunday Supper at Chestnut Park in Turner Station. The rain held off, we had a nice breeze, and the heart and soul of Baltimore’s jazz scene – Clarence Ward III and Dat Feel Good — got us moving. Chestnut Park filled up with people from around Turner Station to enjoy great food, music, and company.

Both of these events allowed NeighborSpace’s parks to really shine. People couldn’t help but talk about how far these urban pockets have come. These two nights are really a testament to the place-making and restoration that NeighborSpace and its community partners are capable of when working together. These parks now offer canopy trees that give us both shade and treats, pollinator-filled meadows’ blooms that provide pops of color, and so much more.

Milkweed season is underway and both Common and Butterfly Milkweeds are gracing the gardens and meadows at many of NeighborSpace’s parks. These beautiful native plants are providing nectar and pollen for countless beneficial insects and Monarch butterflies are not far behind. If you or someone you know has a space in their neighborhood that needs a pop of natural color, is prone to flooding during and after storms, or could just be doing more for the community as a park, please do not hesitate to reach out to NeighborSpace by emailing info@neighborspacebaltimorecounty.org! We are always interested in talking to people and communities about whether or not a particular site fits the NeighborSpace model or to help identify a place that would. 

Finally, if you already have a NeighborSpace park in your community and would like to have an event like the ones described above, please feel free to reach out! We are always looking for more input on how to best serve the communities in which we work. 

Thank you all for your time and dedication to our mission and community!