GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

GREEN PATTERN BOOK

USING VACANT LAND TO CREATE GREENER 

NEIGHBORHOODS IN BALTIMORE

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest 

Service NRS-INF-32-15

Northern 

Research Station September 2015
2

Cover photos by, clockwise from top left: Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with 

permission; Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission; Mark Cameron, 

Baltimore City, used with permission; Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with 

permission; Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission; Mark Cameron, 

Baltimore City, used with permission

Published by: This document is available at: :

U.S. FOREST SERVICE http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/baltimore/green/

11 CAMPUS BLVD SUITE 200

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA 19073

September 2015

Abstract

This document serves as a tool 

to assist the City of Baltimore’s 

residents, administration, and 

community and nongovernmental 

organizations in “greening” the 

vacant land and improving the 

quality of life in the city. There are 

about 14,000 vacant lots in Baltimore, and an estimated 16,000 

abandoned houses. While these 

vacant properties can be a problem, they also offer an opportunity 

to create greener neighborhoods. 

Baltimore’s Growing Green Initiative, which began in 2014, was developed to improve collaboration, 

develop procedures, and provide 

support and assistance to groups 

working toward a sustainable, 

green future for Baltimore. Here we 

classify the types of vacant land, 

describe eight different ‘greening’ 

patterns, and provide descriptions 

and photos of successful efforts.

How to cite this publication:

Baltimore Department of Planning, 

Office of Sustainability. 2015. 

Green pattern book: using 

vacant land to create greener 

neighborhoods in Baltimore.

NRS-INF-32-15. Newtown Square, 

PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Northern Research 

Station. 109 p.
Letter from the Mayor

STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE

Mayor

250 City Hall, 100 North Holliday Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

phone: 410.396.3835 fax: 410.576.9425 e-mail: mayor@baltimorecity.gov 

Dear Fellow Baltimore City Resident: 

I am pleased to release the final version of the Green Pattern Book, a guidebook that provides 

visioning tools, site selection criteria, guidelines, and resource information for a wide variety of 

options for greening vacant lots. The Green Pattern Book supports the Growing Green Initiative, 

which I launched in May 2014. Baltimore’s Growing Green Initiative is my administration’s 

strategy to use sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective greening practices to improve vacant 

lots and set the stage for growing Baltimore. The Growing Green Initiative is a collaborative 

effort between City agencies and numerous stakeholders to develop and implement new ideas to 

improve the management and appearance of Baltimore’s vacant land. I would like to thank the 

numerous partners, especially the U.S. Forest Service, for providing beneficial feedback and 

funding to create this important resource. 

By bringing together this information into a single document, the Green Pattern Book will make it 

easier for communities, non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, developers, and City 

agencies to apply their imagination, talent, and energy to creating green spaces that will 

strengthen our neighborhoods and contribute to improved health and environmental quality. 

I encourage you to become familiar with The Baltimore Green Pattern Book, and to think about 

how some of these ‘green patterns’ could be applied to vacant lots in your neighborhood. 

Together, we can transform vacant lots into beautiful and productive green spaces that contribute 

to Safer Streets, Stronger Neighborhoods, and a Cleaner and Healthier City for Baltimore 

residents. For more information please contact the Planning Department at 

sustainability@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-PLAN (7526). 

Sincerely, 

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake 

Mayor 

City of Baltimore

Photo by Mayor’s Office, 

Baltimore City, used with 

permission.

3
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

4
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

Logo Department Name Agency Organization Organization Address Information

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest 

Service

Northern Research Station 11 Campus Boulevard, Suite 200

Newtown Square, PA 19073

Dear Friends of a Greener Baltimore:

I am very pleased that the USDA Forest Service has partnered with the city of

Baltimore, Maryland, to increase the livability and sustainability of this great 

urban center. The Green Pattern Book, supported by the Forest Service as part

of the Baltimore Urban Waters Federal Partnership, is one example of that

collaboration. This book assembles guidelines, resources and tools that can 

help neighborhoods create and maintain green space from vacant lots. The 

information will help Baltimore achieve its vision of greener neighborhoods 

and help cities across the United States to take action of their own.

Ensuring vitality of urban forests and waters is part of the Forest Service’s mission to “care for

the land and serve people” where they live. With more that 80 percent of the U.S. population 

living in urban areas, our agency is committed to the stewardship of natural resources across the

spectrum of urban, urbanizing and rural landscapes. Right here in Baltimore, we are studying the

unique ecology of urban water systems, developing new ways to filter storm water, and 

promoting sustainable building design that encourages a low carbon footprint and innovative 

uses for wood and urban wood waste. 

I hope you are as inspired as I am by what you read here and I look forward to what this

wonderful partnership will achieve to improve people’s lives in Baltimore and the surrounding 

region now and in the future. 

Very respectfully,

Michael T. Rains

Director

Northern Research Station and 

Forest Products Laboratory 

Photo by US Forest Service.

5
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following people for advice, guidance, and 

support in helping to develop the Green Pattern Book:

Baltimore Growing Green Workgroup

Thomas Stosur, Director, Department of Planning

Alfred Foxx, Director, Department of Public Works

Theo Ngongang, Department of Planning 

Beth Strommen, Department of Planning

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Department of Planning

Jenny Guillaume, Department of Planning

Kate Edwards, Department of Planning 

Abby Cocke, Department of Planning

Kim Burgess, Department of Public Works

Mark Cameron, Department of Public Works 

Julia Day, Department of Housing and Community Development

Michael Braverman, Dept. of Housing and Community Development 

Valorie Lacour, Department of Transportation

Bill Vondrasek, Department of Recreation and Parks

Erik Dihle, Department of Recreation and Parks

Melissa Grimm, Department of Recreation and Parks

Other Contributors

USDA Forest Service/Baltimore Ecosystem Study

Baltimore Green Space

Baltimore Orchard Project 

Baltimore Tree Trust

Blue Water Baltimore 

Civic Works

Community Law Center

Neighborhood Design Center

Parks & People Foundation

TreeBaltimore

Banner Neighborhoods

Bon Secours of Maryland Foundation

Druid Heights CDC

Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition

Park Heights Renaissance

Reservoir Hill Improvement Council

Inez Robb

Earl Johnson

Document and Symbol Design

Kristin Baja

6
Contents

7

Introduction 8

How to Use the Green Pattern Book 14

Quick Tips 16

Vacant Land in Baltimore 22

Reusing Vacant Land

Clean and Green 24

Community- Managed Open Spaces 30

Urban Agriculture 40

Stormwater Management 48

Green Parking 56

Urban Forests and Buffers 64

Neighborhood Parks 72

Mixed Greens 80

Appendix 86
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Introduction

The solution for the City’s chronically vacant lots and 

structures begins with a vision for a citywide program to 

transform many of Baltimore’s most blighted areas into an 

integrated network of green spaces, including parks and 

squares, rain gardens, urban farms, forests and community 

gardens. These green amenities have the potential to 

concurrently provide economic, social, and environmental 

In neighborhoods across Baltimore, vacant land and 

abandoned housing are a blight on communities. Trashfilled, weedy lots are havens for rats and dumping, while 

boarded and abandoned houses attract crime and pose 

safety problems for adjacent neighbors. Vacant properties 

are a drain on City services, resources, and morale.

In 2013, Baltimore had 14,000 vacant lots and 16,000 

abandoned houses. Over the next 10 years, 4,000 of these 

abandoned houses will be demolished as part of the City’s 

effort to eliminate blight. While these vacant properties 

can be a problem, they also offer an opportunity to create 

greener neighborhoods that improve the quality of life for 

current residents while attracting new people to Baltimore.

Right: Baltimore’s 14,000 vacant 

lots, shown in red in the map, offer 

an opportunity to create greener 

neighborhoods.

8

N

0 0.5 1 2 3 4

Miles

Department of Planning, 

Baltimore City, used with permission
benefits to the City and its residents. The wide variety 

of greening techniques offered in the Growing Green 

Initiative provide a unique opportunity for land asset 

management and sustainable economic development, 

and through these techniques Baltimore can grow 

sustainably into the next century. The City must undertake 

this process using a proactive planning and land assembly 

program to build attractive, mixed-income and walkable 

neighborhoods adjacent to these green amenities. The 

Growing Green Initiative (GGI) will use the “green patterns” 

in this Pattern Book to identify temporary and permanent 

green uses and strategies, with additional strategies for 

holding select properties for future redevelopment. What 

is envisioned is nothing less than a “Green Renaissance” for 

Baltimore.

The attraction of this vision is undeniable, but what makes 

such a Growing Green Initiative actually achievable? 

A combination of factors makes 2014 the opportune 

moment to embark on Baltimore’s GGI. These factors 

include: national and regional demographic trends; 

statewide smart growth policies and regional growth 

projections; the established strengths of many of 

Baltimore’s existing and growing communities, businesses, 

and institutions; new state and federal environmental 

and water quality mandates; and our inventory of 

underutilized and abandoned properties available for 

viable reuse strategies. Each of these factors, on its own, 

presents an isolated trend, strength, or challenge. Take 

them together and combine them with strong mayoral 

vision and leadership, an engaged and activist community, 

and supportive public, private, and nonprofit partners, 

and the vision of generating a real and lasting Green 

Renaissance for Baltimore becomes compelling indeed.

This vision can be reality sooner than you think. Today, 964 

vacant lots have been adopted and turned into gardens 

and community open spaces. Eighteen urban farms 

are operating and selling their produce at local farmers 

markets. Vacant housing is being demolished to make way 

for new community development and community spaces. 

This Green Pattern Book is an important tool that will help 

guide decisions to support Baltimore’s Green Renaissance.

Vacant lots at the corner of Pulaski 

Street and Christian Street in the 

Carrollton Ridge neighborhood.

The same lots after greening by 

Operation Reach Out Southwest 

(OROSW).

Zachary Holl, Bon Secours, used with permission

Zachary Holl, Bon Secours, used with permission

9
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Baltimore’s Green Pattern Book 

We believe that vacant land is an asset that can 

help grow the City to be resilient, sustainable, and 

competitive in the 21st century.

There is no rule that requires our return to the pattern of 

streets, blocks, housing, green space, or infrastructure that 

characterized Baltimore in the late 1950s. Vacant land and 

abandoned structures allow us to rethink the form and 

function of the City; we have the opportunity to set aside 

new areas to grow local food, to clean the stormwater 

that now rushes into our streams and harbor, to improve 

the biological health of our forests and ecosystems, 

and to ensure that everyone has safe play spaces and 

parks within a short walk of their houses. These efforts 

will strengthen our neighborhoods by attracting new 

investment and development and lay the foundation for a 

sustainable City for generations to come.

How do we accomplish this vision?

The Green Pattern Book is meant to be a tool to help us 

achieve this vision. It is a planning and implementation 

guide for greening vacant land—whether as a holding 

strategy awaiting future development or an immediate 

action for putting the land back into productive use. The 

Green Pattern Book establishes a common language that 

City agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), 

community-based organizations, and residents can use to 

collectively address vacant land.

Right: The Sunflower Village 

community garden on North Carey 

Street was created by the Franklin 

Square Community Association.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

GREEN PATTERN BOOK

USING VACANT LAND TO CREATE GREENER 

NEIGHBORHOODS IN BALTIMORE

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest 

Service NRS-INF-xx-15

Northern 

Research Station September 2015

10
The Green Pattern Book has eight green patterns that can 

be used for holding and reusing vacant land:

• Clean and Green—Temporary greened spaces 

meant as a short-term holding strategy for future 

redevelopment, whether as new development or one 

of the other green patterns.

• Urban Agriculture—Land leased to urban farmers to 

grow food commercially.

• Community-Managed Open Space—Vacant lots 

maintained by a community, nonprofit, or more than 

one household used for vegetable gardens, orchards, 

pocket parks, and small recreational spaces.

• Stormwater Management—Land used to reduce 

runoff, filter stormwater, and decrease impervious 

surfaces to meet Baltimore’s requirements for 

improving water quality of our streams and harbors.

• Green Parking—Land that can accommodate 

neighborhood parking needs while keeping greening 

and stormwater considerations in mind.

• Urban Forest and Buffer—Trees planted and 

maintained on vacant lots, buffers along railroads and 

highways, and existing forest patches.

• Neighborhood Park—Permanent public spaces that 

can be developed for passive or active recreation or 

both.

• Mixed Greens—Land that can combine the uses 

described above to achieve a greater number of 

goals.

11
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Benefits

Using the Green Pattern Book to transform vacant lots into 

green spaces will provide both short-term and long-term 

benefits, including:

• Decreasing costs—A growing body of evidence shows 

that managed green spaces reduce crime, increase 

property values, and improve health. In addition, they 

cost less per acre to maintain than vacant buildings.

• Creating jobs—Greening vacant land will help support 

job growth through landscape maintenance and 

planting, stormwater facility development, urban 

farming, and food systems. 

• Consolidating parcels and preparing land to 

encourage future redevelopment.

• Strategically integrating stormwater management, 

parks, and green spaces for multiple public benefits.

Finally, the Green Pattern Book addresses several of the 

goals of Baltimore’s Sustainability Plan, including:

• Transform vacant lots from liabilities to assets that 

provide social and environmental benefits.

• Reduce the amount of impervious surfaces and 

increase on-site stormwater treatment.

• Increase Baltimore’s tree canopy to 40 percent by 2037.

• Establish Baltimore as a leader in sustainable, local 

food systems.

• Provide safe, well-maintained recreational space within 

one-quarter mile of all residents.

• Raise Baltimore’s profile as a forward-thinking, green 

city.

• Improve health—Trees and green spaces have been 

shown to help reduce asthma, increase physical 

activity, contribute to healthy eating, and lower the 

ambient air temperature.

Greening projects as simple as cleaning a 

green lot or as complex as a community 

farm offer numerous benefits to the 

environment and the community.

The Whitelock Community Farm in 

Reservoir Hill contributed to improve 

food access and neighborhood 

revitalization.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

12
Green Pattern Book: 

A component of the Growing Green Initiative

In the spring of 2014, a multi-agency work group 

convened to establish a framework for addressing vacant 

land. Out of this work group came the Growing Green 

Initiative (GGI). The Growing Green Initiative was tasked 

with:

• Fostering inter-agency collaboration

• Improving City policies, procedures, and standards for 

demolishing buildings and assembling land for reuse

• Incorporating “greening” into strategic vacant house 

demolition and disposition strategies

• Supporting collaborative efforts of various partners, 

agencies, and nonprofits who are engaged in similar 

greening activities

• Developing a Green Pattern Book to support the 

greening of vacant land by City agencies, NGOs, 

community-based organizations, and individual 

residents

While the Green Pattern Book may be the most visible 

component of GGI, it is supported by ongoing work to 

coordinate policy, planning, and projects to improve how 

vacant land is held and reused.

The Growing Green Initiative views vacant land and 

buildings as a raw asset for the future, providing 

opportunities to implement a new vision for a sustainable 

city that strategically incorporates green spaces such 

as parks, stormwater infrastructure, agriculture, and 

community spaces into the fabric of community 

revitalization. These changes will benefit existing residents 

while also attracting new residents and growth. The 

Growing Green Initiative will help Baltimore become 

healthier, more sustainable, and more economically 

sound.

This initiative not only supports the work already 

underway by the City of Baltimore, local organizations, 

and individuals to improve the city through greening, but 

also will establish Baltimore as a green city of the future.

The New Broadway East Community 

Park is an example of City agencies, 

nonprofits, businesses, and community 

members working together to 

transform vacant buildings into a 

community park.

Parks & People Foundation staff, used with permission

13

Green spaces will provide both 

short-term and long-term 

benefits by:

• Decreasing costs 

• Improving health 

• Creating jobs 

• Consolidating parcels and 

preparing land to encourage 

future redevelopment

• Integrating stormwater 

management, parks, and 

green spaces for multiple 

benefits

• Incorporating strong 

sustainable urban 

design practices into 

new developments for a 

sustainable future
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

How to Use the Green 

Pattern Book

Use by Agencies 

• Help outside partners (NGOs, communities) 

understand permit processes and land use codes 

associated with the improvement of land 

• Provide outline for utilizing green patterns for capital 

projects and planning purposes that support the 

missions and responsibilities of individual agencies

Use by NGOs/Nonprofit Organizations

• Tool for decision-making and planning that shows 

how public agencies, NGOs, and residents can work 

together to share resources

• Guidance on policies, standards, and permits for 

implementing various green patterns

• Model for documenting NGO projects, including costs 

and budgets

Use by Community Development Corporations and 

Faith-based Groups and Residents

• Help residents analyze a site and make decisions 

about the site improvements, costs, and project 

phasing

• Inspire residents’ vision through local remote 

examples

• Clarify project costs, maintenance needs, and 

responsibilities

• Help direct people to the best resources—City 

agencies, NGOs, and funders

• Introduce terminology that community groups will 

use in interacting with City agencies

Throughout the book, City agencies and nonprofits are 

mentioned. Many resources and their contact information 

are found in the Appendix (page 92).

14

No single agency, nonprofit 

organization, or community 

can solve the problems posed 

by vacant properties. The task 

falls on all of us to develop 

solutions.

I want to grow and sell food.

I want a place where I can sit and 

relax.

I want to reduce polluted water 

runoff.

I want to have a place where 

children can play.

I want to increase the number of 

trees in my neighborhood.

I want to reduce maintenance 

costs for vacant lots.

These are the goals of 

many City agencies, elected 

officials, community leaders, 

neighborhood advocates, 

nonprofits, and faith-based 

groups. The Green Pattern Book 

establishes a common language 

of definitions, guidelines, and 

information about permits, and 

resources that can help different 

stakeholders to work together. 
Introduction: This provides an overview of the problems 

and opportunities posed by vacant properties, how the 

Green Pattern Book fits into the Growing Green Initiative, 

how different groups can use the book, and quick tips for 

getting started.

Vacant Land Types (begins on page 22): A broad overview 

of the common vacant land types found in Baltimore.

Reusing Vacant Land (begins on page 24): This section 

describes the eight green patterns and includes:

• Definitions and images of each of the green patterns

• Site selection criteria that provide a base level of 

technical guidance about what site factors need to be 

considered in selecting lots

• Guidance on required permits and agreements, 

implementation, maintenance, and resources

• Examples of local successes and pilot projects

Appendix (begins on page 86): This provides contact 

information, examples of leases and agreements, and other 

resource material.

Icons: The following abbreviations and icons designate the 

sections of this book that discuss each associated pattern:

How this Book is Organized

Reclaimed building materials can be 

creatively reused in greening projects to 

add character and keep costs reasonable. 

The greenspace, created by Civic Works, 

at the corner of Eager Street and Milton 

Avenue, incorporates reclaimed cobbles, 

tree grates, and steps.

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

15

C + G

Clean and Green

CMOS

Community-Managed 

Open Space

UA

Urban Agriculture

SWM

Stormwater 

Management

GP

Green Parking

UF

Urban Forest and 

Buffer

NP

Neighborhood Park

MG

Mixed Greens
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Quick Tips

for Commonly Asked Questions

How do I find out who owns a vacant lot?

There are several different ways to find out who owns a 

vacant lot. If you know the lot address, one way to find 

out who owns it by doing a search on the Maryland 

State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) 

website at http://sdat.resiusa.org/RealProperty/Pages/

default.aspx. The Community Law Center’s “Information 

for Neighborhoods” page has a step-by-step guide to 

searching the SDAT website, as well as guides to other 

methods for determining the ownership of a property. 

http://communitylaw.org/training-events/information-forneigborhoods/ City-owned properties have “Mayor and 

City Council” listed as the owner on the property records.

How do I adopt a lot?

The first step in creating a community-managed open 

space is to adopt the lot. Baltimore Housing and Power 

in Dirt provide information as to what lots are available 

for adoption, as well as simple forms for adopting a lot 

(or multiple lots) and for accessing water. It is important 

to remember that this is a temporary agreement, 

and that the Licensee accepts liability for all activities 

on the adopted lot. Instructions for how to adopt a 

lot are provided by Vacants to Value at http://www.

vacantstovalue.org/Homebuyers.aspx#adopt or through 

Power in Dirt at http://www.powerindirt.com/start.html.

What if the lot is not city owned?

Only about one quarter of all vacant lots are city-owned. 

If you are interested in cleaning up nuisance vacant lots 

that are privately owned, then you may use the“Self-Help 

Nuisance Abatement” process outlined by the Community 

Law Center. This process requires you to notify the owner 

by certified letter that the property is a nuisance. If a 

16

Vacant Land Ownership

Of the estimated 14,000 

vacant lots in Baltimore, 

only 20 to 25 percent are 

city-owned. Determining 

the ownership of the parcel 

or collection of parcels is an 

important step to take as you 

begin planning your project. 
certified letter is returned or if the owner fails to respond, 

that gives you the authority to abate the nuisance, clean, 

and beautify the lot. There are restrictions, however, 

on what kinds of changes you can make to the land as 

this process does not provide permanent legal access 

to the property. The Community Law Center provides a 

step-by-step guide to this process on their “Information 

for Neighborhoods” page http://communitylaw.org/

training-events/information-for-neigborhoods/. Contact 

the Community Law Center for more detailed information 

about using this method.

Can I purchase a vacant lot?

Yes! To purchase a vacant lot adjacent to your home, 

you may be able to purchase the lot through the City’s 

Sideyard Program (See sidebar for more information 

about the Side Yard Program). The City maintains a list of 

other vacant lots available for sale through the Vacants to 

Value program. This list, an application to purchase cityowned property, and the steps involved in purchasing 

vacant lots, are available through Baltimore Housing’s 

Land Resources Division http://www.baltimorehousing.

org/land_resources

Lots maintained by community members for at least 5 

years may be eligible to be purchased and protected by 

the land trust Baltimore Green Space. Contact Baltimore 

Green Space (see page 92) for more information and to 

find out if your site would qualify to be protected through 

this process.

17

Side Yard Program

Have you ever wished that you 

had a larger yard for your children 

to run around, to plant a garden, 

or to add a parking pad? If you 

live next to a city-owned vacant 

lot, your wish could come true.

If you are a property owner, 

you can purchase a city-owned 

vacant lot that is adjacent to 

your own home for $500 for up 

to 1,500 square feet (and 33¢ per 

additional square foot). If you 

are not a homeowner, but live in 

Baltimore, you can purchase an 

adjacent lot for a fixed price of 

$1,000 for up to 1,500 square feet 

(66¢ per additional square foot). 

Appraisal costs will be waived. To 

qualify, a property owner must 

be current on all taxes and water 

bills and have no open citations. 

The purchaser must also agree 

not to develop the lot for use as a 

residence or commercial property 

for 10 years.

Subject to zoning approval, 

owners can install a deck, parking 

pad, garage, shed, or gazebo 

in the side yard. The side yard 

can also be used for gardens or 

passive green space.

For more information, contact 

Baltimore Housing’s Vacants to 

Value program (see page 92).
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Are licenses or permits needed?

Yes—and it depends on what you want to do with the 

lot. Adopt-A-Lot licenses are needed if you want to use 

a city-owned vacant lot, and a farm lease is needed for 

urban agriculture. Also, various permits are needed for 

erecting fences and gazebos, raising animals, or treating 

stormwater. Check the particular green pattern you are 

interested in, as well as the Appendix (page 98). You 

should also contact Miss Utility at least 2 business days 

before undertaking projects that involve digging, so 

that existing utility lines on the site can be marked and 

damage to utility lines can be avoided.

Are there costs involved?

There is no cost to Adopt-A-Lot; water access is $120 

per growing season. The annual rent for a farm lease is 

$100. Depending on the permits needed, costs could be 

minimal to several thousands of dollars if stormwater 

management plans are required. See the Appendix for 

more information.

Do I need to have insurance?

For Urban Agriculture sites leased through the City’s 

Urban Agriculture program, insurance is required for the 

individual or group entering the lease.

As part of the Adopt-A-Lot agreement, the person or 

group adopting the lot agrees to take on liability for 

the property, and the City waives responsibility for any 

activities that take place on the property. Community 

associations or other organizations adopting lots may 

reduce their liability by acquiring certain types of 

liability insurance and/or by asking individuals to sign 

liability waivers. Baltimore Greenspace, a land trust for 

community-managed open spaces, maintains liability 

insurance for the sites protected under the land trust.

Volunteers transform a vacant lot 

in the Upton neighborhood into a 

community-managed open space.

 Mark Dennis, Baltimore City, used with permission

18
How will the lot be maintained?

The Department of Public Works is responsible for 

maintaining city-owned lots—cleaning and mowing on 

a proactive schedule every 3 weeks. Call 311 to report a 

lot with tall grass or where trash is being dumped. When 

City agencies implement greening projects, maintenance 

is the responsibility of the agency unless an MOU or other 

agreement is made to place maintenance responsibility 

with another City agency, a community group, or other 

partner.

When a lot is adopted through the City’s Adopt-A-Lot 

program, or leased through the City’s urban agriculture 

program, the group or individual adopting or leasing the 

lot agrees to assume responsibility for maintenance of 

the lot. In selecting a lot to adopt and determining what 

improvements may be made to the lot, it is important to 

consider the time and resources that will be needed to 

maintain the lot.

The Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Solid Waste 

can provide trash receptacles (such as roll-offs) for 

community cleanups, including cleaning up vacant lots. 

These can only be scheduled by recognized community 

association presidents; call 311 to schedule. Single family 

property owners can receive credits on their stormwater 

utility fee by participating in preapproved trash cleanups 

and tree planting (for every 8 hours, you can get a credit 

of $10/year). Contact the Department of Public Works’ 

Bureau of Water and Wastewater, or cleanwaterbaltimore.

org, for more information about this credit.

How do I access water for the lot?

A Community-managed open space water access request 

form may be submitted at http://www.baltimorehousing.

org/adopt_a_lot_cmos_form.aspx. 

Free trash bags and containers are 

available to communities as part of the 

Mayor’s spring and fall cleanup events. 

Tools for vacant lot projects and 

maintenance are available through 

the Baltimore Community Tool Bank 

or through the Parks and People 

Association Community Greening 

Resource Network (CGRN).

Mark Dennis, Baltimore City, used with permission

Mark Dennis, Baltimore City, used with permission

19
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Once the form is completed, send a copy of the adoption 

agreement and a $120 check made payable to Director 

of Finance. Reference the lot adopter’s name and the 

address of the lot in the memo line. Once the water access 

agreement is received, an inspector will visit your site. If 

water access is available, a device that can connect to a 

hose will be installed. The inspector will contact you to 

provide instruction on how to properly connect your hose 

to the device. If water access is not available, your original 

$120 payment will be returned to you.

Visit the Power in Dirt website at http://www.powerindirt.

com/start.html or the Vacants to Value website at http://

www.baltimorehousing.org/vtov_adopt for more 

information 

Are the soils safe to dig in?

If you are planning to grow food for human consumption 

in the existing soil on your site, it’s vital to know what 

contaminants may be present. Even if you’re planning 

a less-intensive use for your site, such as a sitting park, 

you may still wish to know this information, especially if 

children will be present on a regular basis.

The Baltimore Office of Sustainability developed 

and released Baltimore’s Soil Safety Policy for Food 

Production, the link to which can be found at http://

www.baltimoresustainability.org/resources. Under “Urban 

Agriculture” at this Web page, there is a link to the policy. 

You can also follow these simple steps: 

Site Assessment

Learn about any past uses of your site that could have 

caused contamination by looking at the Baltimore City 

Sanborn Maps, either online (http://www.prattlibrary.org/

locations/maryland/index.aspx?id=4324) or in person at 

the Maryland Department at the Central Branch of the 

Enoch Pratt Free Library, and by talking to neighbors. 

Also look at present characteristics of the site that might 

20

How Do I Get Started?

The steps for getting started 

vary, depending on where you 

are starting from and what your 

goals are. If you have identified 

a site that you want to green, 

you will need to go through 

the process of determining 

ownership of the site, gaining 

access to or adopting the 

site, and evaluating the site 

conditions before developing 

a plan to green the site. If you 

have an idea for a greening 

project but need to find a site 

for your project, your process 

will likely include visiting similar 

projects to get ideas, identifying 

and evaluating potential sites, 

selecting a site, and securing 

access. The flow chart on page 

106 provides a basic overview of 

the steps that may be required 

to take your project from an 

idea to a transformed green lot.

continued on next page...
contribute to contamination, such as adjacent uses, 

slopes, soil erosion, and illegal dumping. Use resources 

such as the EPA’s “Interim Guidelines for Safe Gardening 

Practices” (http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/urbanag/pdf/

bf_urban_ag.pdf) to identify contaminants of concern.

Soil Testing and Analysis

Always test, at a minimum, for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and 

chromium, as these are common, and potentially harmful, 

contaminants found most commonly in urban soils. In 

addition, test for anything else that your site assessment 

identified as a likely contaminant. Do not use an at-home 

soil testing kit, as these can be inaccurate. Instead, send 

a sample of your soil to a reputable lab to be analyzed. 

Some low-cost options include the Agricultural Analytical 

Services Laboratory at Penn State University (www.aasl.

psu.edu or 814-863-0841) and the University of Delaware 

Soil Testing Lab (http://ag.udel.edu/dstp/ or 302-831-

1392). To understand the risks posed by any contaminants 

found in your soil, refer to Cornell University’s “Guide to 

Soil Testing and Interpreting Your Results” (http://cwmi.

css.cornell.edu/guidetosoil.pdf) or contact the University 

of Maryland’s Home & Garden Information Center (http://

extension.umd.edu/hgic or 1-800-342-2507) for free 

guidance.

Mitigation

If analysis of your soil shows a low to moderate risk at your 

site, and you still wish to use it to produce food, mitigation 

practices can be put in place to reduce the risk, such as 

gardening in raised beds, mulching pathways, wearing 

gloves while gardening, washing all produce thoroughly, 

peeling root vegetables, and using drip irrigation to 

avoid splashing soil onto leaves and fruits. Over time, soil 

quality can be improved by regularly adding compost. 

Refer to EPA’s guidelines (link above) to identify the best 

mitigation practices for your site. If a high risk is shown at 

your site, we recommend covering existing soil with an 

impermeable barrier and using imported, clean soil, or 

choosing another site at which to grow food.

21

The Parks & People Foundation 

has prepared a guide that 

includes much more detail 

on how to plan, design, and 

construct a greening project. 

The Guide to Greening 

Neighborhoods can be found at:

http://www.parksandpeople.

org/files/resources/2577_

Guide%20to%20Greening%20

Neighborhoods.pdf

Additionally, there are several 

organizations that offer 

services that may be useful in 

undertaking your project. The 

Citizens Planning and Housing 

Association offers community 

organizing services to its 

members, the Community Law 

Center can provide assistance 

regarding legal issues, and the 

Neighborhood Design Center 

provides design assistance 

for community projects. For 

contact information and a 

more comprehensive list of the 

organizations and resources that 

may be helpful for your project, 

see the Appendix.
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

Vacant Land in Baltimore

Vacant lots are often characterized as a monolithic 

problem. However, a drive through Baltimore’s 

neighborhoods shows that each vacant lot has particular 

issues, including location, size, and configuration. Some 

are small corner lots or ‘missing teeth,’ others can be 

found on inner blocks where garages or alley houses were 

demolished, and some take up nearly an entire block and 

are made up of dozens of vacant properties. 

While each vacant lot has unique characteristics, they are 

often found in the following six patterns:

Corner Lot

These tend to be small lots (1 to 4 properties) found 

on the corner of block. These lots are highly visible, 

which can make them good for creating flower gardens, 

neighborhood gateways, or art parks. In neighborhoods 

with single-family detached houses, corner lots can be 

large and turned into a community green space. While 

their location makes them highly accessible they are also 

prone to trash accumulation and people cutting across 

the lot.

Missing Tooth

This type of lot can be found mid-block and is the 

result of scattered demolition. Like the corner lot, these 

tend to be smaller lots: 1 to 4 properties. In rowhouse 

neighborhoods, missing teeth lots are the most 

problematic because they are narrow (sometimes under 

10 feet wide) and can get very little sun.

22

Corner Lot

Missing Tooth
Inner Block

These are found in Baltimore’s denser rowhouse 

neighborhoods with small streets, sometimes called alley 

streets, such as Rose, Madeira, and Duncan on the east 

side.

Remnant

Remnant lots are often oddly-shaped lots due to angled 

street grids or being adjacent to railroads or parks that 

have irregular shapes. When these lots are at the edges of 

neighborhoods, they can make good candidates for urban 

forest buffers (especially if adjacent to railroads, highways, 

or streams).

Vacant Block: Half Block/Full Block

The goal of the Vacants to Value Program is to demolish 

whole block clusters—contiguous vacant buildings and 

lots. This not only provides larger, more developable lots, 

but also eliminates the many scattered missing tooth lots 

or remaining few houses on a block that create a “swiss 

cheese” pattern. This lot type is best for urban agriculture 

or neighborhood parks, or held for future economic 

redevelopment.

Swiss Cheese

This pattern of scattered vacant lots and houses can 

be found on many blocks, especially in East, West, and 

Southwest Baltimore. These blocks contain many of the 

other vacant lot types, like corner lots, missing tooth, or 

inner block. While individual lots on the block might be 

adopted or used for green parking, this vacant land type 

as a whole is difficult to reuse because of the fragmented 

nature of the vacant lots. One approach to reusing 

fragmented lots could be a “Mixed Greens” approach, with 

different uses on different lots within a block as part of a 

coordinated plan.

23

Inner Block

Remnant

Half Block

Full Block

Swiss Cheese
Photo by Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission.

Clean and Green

REUSING VACANT LAND

Site Selection

Site Preparation

Site Layout and Implementation

Maintenance

Resources

Local Examples

24
25
Clean and Green

“Clean and Green” is a temporary land-holding strategy: 

vacant land is kept free of trash and mowed on a regular 

basis—sometimes improved with new soil and grass, a 

few trees, and possibly a fence. Clean and green spaces 

are the first step in stabilizing vacant lots for adoption, 

future redevelopment, or a permanent open space like a 

neighborhood park.

Trash-strewn, weedy vacant lots are a blight on 

neighborhoods. While these lots offer opportunities 

for future redevelopment, there are often no plans for 

their use in the foreseeable future. Keeping vacant lots 

clean and green is an investment by the City and shows 

residents that the neighborhood matters.

At a minimum, clean and green lots have trash removed 

from them and are mowed every 3 weeks. Trees along 

the perimeter, as well as fencing, might also be added. 

The goal is for these lots to be maintained as an open 

lawn area, which reduces trash dumping, soil erosion, and 

stormwater runoff, as well as provides flexible space that 

can be used for passive recreation. Improved maintenance 

beautifies lots with minimal cost and increases the sense 

of pride and neighborhood identity.

Site Selection

All city-owned vacant lots, and some lots that are a 

combination of privately-owned and city-owned vacant 

properties, are intended to be clean and green. These 

can be any of the vacant lot types, and can be any size or 

shape. Additionally, the following criteria should also be 

used when targeting attention and resources:

• Highly visible lots (such as those on major streets)

• Lots adjacent to other redevelopment or amenities 

(such as schools)

• Lots near the group caring for the lot (if adopted)

If the lots are being held for future development, it is 

important that the community is informed about the 

26

What if the vacant lot 

on my block is not 

Clean and Green? 

Not every vacant lot 

in Baltimore is on the 

proactive mowing list. 

If you have a nuisance 

lot, call 311 or the City’s 

Housing Department, 

who will send out 

a building code 

inspector. You can also 

take over maintenance 

by adopting the lot—

see page 16.

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Site Preparation

The goal of the City is that every newly-demolished site 

will be maintained as clean and green. Improvements to 

the demolition specifications, the proactive mowing of 

lots, picking up trash, and planting trees are some of the 

measures being employed as part of the Growing Green 

Initiative. 

Unfortunately, many existing vacant lots have highly 

compacted soils, rubble and fill at the surface, and very 

little grass growing. To make these lots clean and green, 

site improvements are needed, including:

• Removal of trash and debris to prepare the site for 

reseeding

• Soil amendments and the removal of buried bricks, 

building fragments, and tree stumps prior to seeding

• Prune and limb up the trees if they are already present 

on the site; prune the shrubs or other vegetation to 

improve the site’s appearance and visibility of the area 

future use of the lot and potential development plans, 

and that these lots will be maintained as clean and 

green. The location of these lots, and the timeframe 

for redevelopment, is especially important because 

communities are concerned that these sites will not be 

regularly cared for.

Site Layout and Implementation

While clean and green lots are characterized by open lawn 

and the occasional perimeter of trees, the following site 

factors should be considered:

• Trees planted along the perimeter of vacant lots help 

to reduce dumping, according to recent studies. 

However, communities may be concerned about 

visibility and safety if trees are included. If trees are to 

be planted, consider their location, spacing, and 

species in order to maintain visibility or deter dumping.

27

Clean and Green lots can be as basic 

as a clean grass lot or include other 

elements, such as trees, fencing, 

perennials, or meadow planting.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Chris Swan, University of Maryland Baltimore County, used with 

permission
Maintenance

The Department of Public Works is responsible for 

maintaining city-owned lots, which typically includes 

cleaning and mowing on a proactive schedule every 3 

weeks. Call 311 to report a lot with tall grass or where 

trash is being dumped.

If a community group chooses to clean and mow a lot, 

they can either adopt it or use the nuisance abatement 

law (see page 16). Communities should mow and clean 

it at least every 3 weeks, and possibly more, often 

depending on the rain and weather. • Proximity of the lots to problem areas such as dumping 

sites may warrant fencing, especially along alleys and 

the back of lots.

• Ground cover other than grass might be considered, 

such as clover or wildflowers (see Alternatives to Grass, 

page 29).

Resources

For nuisance lots, the Community Law Center can provide 

assistance to nonprofits and community associations 

in identifying the owner and following the proper 

procedures for cleaning and beautifying the lot.

The Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Solid Waste 

can provide bags and containers for community cleanups 

twice annually in April and October. These can only 

be scheduled by recognized community association 

presidents; call 311 to schedule. Finally, single family 

property owners can receive credits on their stormwater 

utility fee by participating in preapproved trash cleanups 

and tree planting (for every 8 hours worked you, can 

get a credit of $10/year). Contact the Department 

of Public Works’ Bureau of Water and Wastewater, or 

cleanwaterbaltimore.org, for more information.

28

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Local Examples

In the early 2000s, the Bon Secours of Maryland 

Foundation created a clean and green program for vacant 

lots in southwest Baltimore. The group cleaned the lots, 

added new soil, reseeded, and planted trees. Examples 

can be found at:

• 1600 block of W. Baltimore Street

• Unit block N. Mount Street

• 200 block N. Fulton Avenue

Alternatives to Grass

Vacant lots need not be planted only with grass. There 

are several alternative ground covers that can be used, 

such as clover, wildflowers, and native grasses. These 

urban meadows provide several benefits over turf, 

including reduced mowing and maintenance costs, 

increased stormwater infiltration, and increased plant 

and animal biodiversity.

Remember, one person’s “weed” is another’s native plant. 

Native plants and flowers that are ecologically beneficial 

can also look like weeds. If landscapes other than turf 

are created, the following should be considered:

• Meadows need to be maintained. The City code 

requires that grass or weeds be maintained at 8 

inches or lower.

• Consider maintaining a mowed grass edge to the 

meadow. A formal edge will show that the plantings 

are intentional.

• Taller grasses and plants can be trash collectors; 

additional cleaning may be needed.

• Make sure that the adjoining neighbors and 

surrounding community understand what is being 

done with the lot to avoid 311 calls and complaints. 

Erecting signage informing people that the lot 

is being maintained as a meadow or wildflower 

garden may also help educate neighbors and reduce 

concerns.

29

Turf grass, perennials, or native meadows 

are all options for clean and green lots.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Chris Swan, University of Maryland Baltimore County, used with 

permission

Jenny Guillaume, Baltimore City, used with permission
30
Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission.

CommunityManaged 

Open Spaces

REUSING VACANT LAND

Site Selection

Leases and Permits

Site Layout and Implementation

Maintenance

Resources

Local Success

31
Community-Managed 

Open Spaces

“Community-Managed Open Spaces” (CMOS) are 

neighborhood spaces adopted, created, and cared 

for by community members or organizations. These 

spaces can be used for passive recreation, community 

gathering, public art, and growing fruits, vegetables, 

or flowers. Residents, nonprofit organizations, and 

churches can use the land through the City’s Adopt-ALot program by purchasing the land or by placing it into 

a land trust like Baltimore Green Space.

Communities often have open space needs that are not 

being met in the neighborhood—growing food, a safe 

place for kids to run around, beautification, or getting 

together with some neighbors. Community-managed 

open spaces are an opportunity for residents, churches, 

community associations, or nonprofits to adopt and 

use vacant land in ways that best serve their needs and 

imagination.

Vacant lots that are cared for by community groups 

beautify sites that might otherwise be weedy and trashstrewn. They can also be used to grow vegetables and 

fruit, which is especially beneficial in areas with limited 

access to healthy foods. Adopting lots also fosters local 

pride, cooperation, and opportunities for engaging 

youth and seniors. Finally, studies show that communitymanaged open spaces stabilize property values of the 

surrounding properties and blocks.

Remember...these are temporary spaces unless they are 

purchased or put into a land trust.

32

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Types of Community Spaces

What a community chooses to do on an adopted lot is 

only limited by their imagination. However, the following 

are the most common types of community-managed 

open spaces:

Community Gardens

Community gardens can be for growing vegetables, 

fruit trees, flowers, or any combination, often as shared 

spaces where neighbors have individual plots. Community 

gardens might be large (such as the Duncan Miracle 

Garden) or small—just a few raised beds to start. They 

can also include temporary greenhouses and sheds (see 

Zoning sidebar page 37). 

Flower Gardens

On smaller lots, these spaces might include simple 

landscaping, flower beds, even a path. These gardens can 

also be used to reduce stormwater runoff (see page 51).

Passive Recreation and Picnic Areas

These are simple spaces—grass, a few trees, a picnic 

bench—for children to run around, kicking a soccer ball, 

dog walking, or community gatherings.

Art and Educational Spaces

These can be places for displaying public art, whether 

created by an arts organization or by school children. They 

can also be places to teach kids about nature; if adjacent 

to a school or church they can be reading gardens or 

outdoor classrooms.

33

Types of community spaces include 

community gardens (from top), 

flower gardens, picnic areas, and 

educational spaces.

Eric Imhof, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission

Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission

Lowell Larsson, used with permission

Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission
Site Selection

There are two key selection criteria to consider when 

creating a community-managed open space: 1) the time, 

skills, and interest in the group adopting the lot; and 

2) its proximity to the residents or community-based

organization maintaining the lot. The following issues

should also be considered:

• Property ownership (see the section regarding noncity-owned lots on page 16)

• Size of the space should match your ability to maintain

it

• Flat or gently sloping sites

• Sites that require minimal clearance and/or grading

• Water access (see below and page 19)

• Former use of the site and condition of the soil and

land (debris, contaminants, etc)

• Adjacent uses, pedestrian movement, safety, and

security

Agreements and Permit

In order to use a city-owned vacant lot, an Adopt-A-Lot 

license is needed. Baltimore Housing manages the AdoptA-Lot program; you can apply online or via a paper copy.

You can also apply for water with this application.

Permits are required if you are going to erect a fence or 

gazebo. You may also need a permit if you are including a 

rain garden in your space (see the section on Stormwater 

Management). Additionally, if you plan on keeping 

animals (such as chickens) or bee hives, you will need a 

permit from the Health Department.

If you are using your CMOS for special events and festivals, 

you will need a permit from the Department of General 

Services (DGS).

See the Appendix for more information.

34

Keeping chickens or bee hives on a 

property require a permit from the 

Health Department. 

Arthur Morgan, Gather Baltimore, used with permission

Abby Cocke, Baltimore City, used with permission.

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Site Layout and Implementation

How one lays out or designs a CMOS will depend on the 

use. However, the following general factors should be 

taken into consideration:

• Solar orientation—Is the site shady? Sunny? How 

might this affect gardens or where trees are planted?

• Location on a block—If a garden is to be put on a 

larger vacant lot, these should be located to one end 

of the lot, not in the middle.

• Visibility—Make sure that landscaping, trees, or 

structures do not block views into or out of the site.

Access to water is critical if gardens or landscaping 

are included. The first step in securing water access is 

to request water access (available for a $120 annual 

fee) either as part of the Adopt-A-Lot application or by 

completing a Water Access Program application through 

Baltimore’s Housing and Community Development’s 

(HCD) Vacants to Value program. As part of the program, 

an inspector will visit your site to determine if a water 

meter pit is available, and if so, will install a device on 

the meter that will allow you to connect a hose for water 

access. 

If it is determined by the inspector that an existing 

water meter pit is not available for your lot, then water 

assistance might be secured through the Garden Irrigation 

Fund administered by the Parks and People Foundation. 

Gardens and other landscaping within a CMOS should be 

located so that they are easy to water.

Before beginning any project, the soil should be tested. 

See page 20 for more information on soil testing. If the 

soil has unacceptable levels of toxins or lead, then use 

imported, clean soil or develop a remediation plan.

35

Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission.

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission
Maintenance

Maintenance is the responsibility of the community 

group that has adopted the site. It is important to match 

your group’s ability to maintain a space (experience in 

gardening, number of volunteers, etc.) with the types 

of gardens or plants chosen (lawn, flowers, vegetable 

gardens, etc.). Sites connected to an active neighborhood 

association or local institution, such as a house of worship 

or school, will often have a broader base of volunteers to 

tap for care and maintenance.

Resources (see Appendix for more detail)

There are several local and statewide organizations that 

provide funding for CMOS:

• Parks & People Foundation Community Greening

Grants

• Baltimore Community Foundation Neighborhood

Grants Program

• Chesapeake Bay Trust grants

• HCD and Homegrown Baltimore (dedicated funds

for the preparation of sites for groups adopting cityowned land to grow food)

Additionally, these organizations can provide design and 

technical resources and free or discounted materials:

• Power in Dirt (assistance in adopting a lot and

accessing water, workshops, and information on

additional funding and resources available for vacant

lot projects)

• Community Greening Resource Network (plant

and gardening materials, tools, peer support and

assistance)

• Community Law Center (legal assistance)

• Baltimore Community Tool Bank (low-cost tool rental,

workshops)

• TreeBaltimore (donation of trees)

36

The Baltimore 

Neighborhood Indicators 

Alliance (BNIA) has an 

interactive website that 

has mapped the many 

community-managed 

open spaces in the City, 

including descriptions, 

photos, and contact 

information. Visit http://

water.bniajfi.org/map/ for 

more information and to 

see local examples.

Baltimore Green Space, Parks and People Foundation, 

CGRN, Power in Dirt, Baltimore City Master Gardeners, 

and JHU Center for a Livable Future, Analysis: Baltimore 

Neighborhood Indicators Alliance – Jacob France 

Institute (2015), used with permission.

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
• Neighborhood Design Center (pro bono design 

assistance)

• Citizens Planning and Housing Association 

(community organizing services for CPHA members)

• University of Maryland Extension Program – Baltimore 

City (horticultural expertise)

• Baltimore Green Space (advice on what types of 

projects might become part of the land trust)

• Baltimore Orchard Project (assistance with planting 

and caring for fruit and nut trees, berry bushes

37

CMOS and Zoning

Community-managed open space is a new use category 

in Baltimore’s zoning code:

An open space area maintained by more than one (1) 

household that is used for the cultivation of fruits, flowers, 

vegetables, or ornamental plants, or as a community 

gathering space for passive or active recreation, excluding 

playgrounds. 

CMOS is a permitted use in all zoning districts, which 

means that as long as use standards are met, permitted 

uses are allowed by default. A $50 one-time use permit 

is required. Permitted uses include:

• Cultivation of herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables

• Community gathering spaces, not including 

playgrounds

• Livestock as permitted by Health Department 

regulations

• Temporary greenhouses, sheds, gazebos, and 

pergolas

Permanent structures are prohibited. 

For more information refer to the Baltimore zoning 

code.

For a CMOS to be 

successful, it is important 

to identify a core group 

of people who will be 

responsible for the 

implementation and 

management of the 

space. There are several 

nonprofits in Baltimore 

that can assist with 

community organizing 

and technical information 

(see information 

under Resources in the 

Appendix). Finally, phasedin improvements should 

be considered; this can 

help in terms of funding, 

organizing volunteers, or 

testing ideas and interest.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Google maps street view
Local Success: Brentwood Commons

1800 block Brentwood Street

Brentwood Commons is a community area (about 0.08 

acres) protected by Baltimore Green Space. The green 

space consists of a picnic area, landscaping (top left 

photo), and parking. Creating the space required the 

removal of a fire-damaged garage, grading of the site, soil 

amendments, and installation of wood bollards along the 

perimeter.

Cost to create the CMOS = $2,500

Costs were primarily for soil amendments, grading, and 

bollards. Most labor and materials were donated.

Site Improvements

• 11 trees (donated)

• Shrubs/grasses/flowers

• Path (mulch/cobbles donated)

• Bollards

Maintenance (performed by local residents)

• Weeding and pruning

• Mowing grass

Donated Materials / Services (provided by the City)

• Cobblestones

• Mulch/Leafgro

• Trees (TreeBaltimore)

Lead Partners

Local Residents

Civic Works (constructed the project)

38

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
39

Examples of vacant lot improvements include, clockwise from top left, Brentwood Commons, Franklin Square 

sunflower garden, 39th and Frisby Street, Charles North Cooperative Garden, and 23rd and Barclay.

Top left, Lowell Larsson, used with permission; all other photos, Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission
Abby Cocke, Baltimore City, used with permission

Urban Agriculture

REUSING VACANT LAND

Site Selection

Leases and Permits

Site Layout and Implementation

Maintenance

Resources

Funding

40
41
J. Dolehanty, Baltimore Orchard Project, used with 

permission

Urban Agriculture

“Urban Agriculture” is the growing of vegetables, herbs, 

and fruits in fields or hoop houses. It can also involve 

aquaculture, tree nurseries, the cultivation of flowers or 

other plants, and animal husbandry. Urban agriculture is 

defined as an income-generating activity and business 

enterprise (whether for-profit or nonprofit), in which 

crops are grown primarily for sale or distribution to 

others, rather than primarily for one’s self and family. 

Cultivating, processing, distributing, and marketing 

locally grown food increases access to healthy foods, 

provides jobs and educational opportunities for youth 

and adults, and improves the health of city residents 

and local economies.

One of the goals of the Baltimore Sustainability Plan is to 

establish Baltimore as a leader in sustainable, local food 

systems, and one of the primary strategies identified 

in the plan is to increase the percentage of land under 

cultivation for agricultural purposes. The use of vacant 

land for urban agriculture can help improve access to 

healthy foods in areas with limited access to grocery 

stores.

In commercial urban agriculture, larger tracts of vacant 

land (at least 1⁄2 acre, but often 1 acre or more) are under 

the control and care of private or nonprofit enterprises, 

with a goal of a minimum tenure of 5 to 10 years, to allow 

for a return on investment for the farmer.

Site Selection

The Department of Housing and Community 

Development (HCD) leases city-owned vacant lots to 

qualified farmers (who must have at least a year of 

experience) for urban agriculture through the 

Homegrown Baltimore Land Leasing Initiative. Several 

sites have been preselected, and prospective farmers can 

also request to lease other city-owned sites that they have 

identified. Sites for urban agriculture should be a 

minimum 1/2 acre lot (or collection of lots). This means 

42

Productive Landscapes

Orchards, agroforestry 

(managing wooded areas 

for timber and food), 

aquaculture, and the 

growing of plants for 

essential oils or biofuels 

(lavender, sunflowers) are 

examples of nontraditional 

urban agriculture practices 

that are being pursued in 

Baltimore.

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
that whole block or half block vacant lots are most 

appropriate. Additional criteria for consideration include:

• Land must be city-owned if it is to be leased or 

purchased from HCD

• Minimal slope or existing tree cover

• Water accessibility (see page 19 for information on the 

water access program).

The condition of the soil and land (debris, contaminants) 

may be a factor, especially if a site is to be tilled. Proximity 

of adjacent residents should also be considered 

(preference is to have a buffer from any high-intensity 

agricultural use); farmers will need to meet with the 

community and get approval before a lease is approved.

Leases and Permits

Farmers interested in leasing land for urban agriculture 

must fill out a prequalification application issued by HCD 

and the Baltimore Office of Sustainability (BOS), and 

available at www.baltimoresustainability.org/resources.

If approved, the farmer, HCD, and BOS will work together 

to identify suitable sites. If a suitable site is chosen and 

vetted by the surrounding community, HCD will prepare 

a lease agreement of a minimum of 5 years, subject to 

approval by the City’s Board of Estimates.

Permits are required to erect a fence, gazebo, or shed; 

no permit is needed for hoop houses. Additionally, 

maintaining animals, such as chickens, or bee hives on 

the site will require a permit from the Animal Control 

Office of the Health Department. If you disturb more than 

5,000 square feet or 100 cubic yards of soil, there may be 

requirements related to Erosion Sediment Control (ESC) 

and Stormwater Management (SWM); please contact 

the Department of Public Works’ Office of Compliance & 

Laboratories.

43

It takes a lot of skill to 

be able to grow food 

sustainably. It is an 

art form.

- Will Allen, Growing Power

Abby Cocke, Baltimore City, used with permission
Site Layout and Implementation

The size of the lot, its shape and dimensions, the amount 

of sun it gets, and access and visibility are some of the 

factors to be considered when creating an urban farm. 

Additionally, some of the elements that make up an urban 

farm, such as compost, animal enclosures, and hoop 

houses, may be unfamiliar to urban neighborhoods or 

cause concern for nearby residents.

Other site design factors include:

• Site access, including the number and timing of trucks 

and other associated traffic.

• Buildings must be set back 10 feet from lot lines 

and must be less than 25 feet in height, except for 

structures designed to capture wind energy, which 

may be taller.

• Trash, demolition debris, or tree stumps may need to 

be removed depending on the lot’s condition. This 

may determine if crops are grown in hoop houses, 

raised beds, or in the ground. If hoop houses are 

to be used, talk with the local residents to get their 

acceptance.

• In considering site access and management, 

determine if fencing is needed. In some cases, fencing 

may actually increase incidences of vandalism. Also, 

the configuration of the site will influence the cost 

of improvements. Oddly shaped sites or parcels 

separated by alleys may be more costly to fence. 

• Water access: The first step in securing water access is 

to by complete a Water Access Program application 

and submit a $120 annual fee through HCD’s Vacants 

to Value program. As part of the program, an inspector 

will visit the site to determine if a water meter pit is 

available, and if so, will install a device on the meter 

that will allow you to connect a hose for water access. 

Where a water meter pit is not available, nonprofit 

urban farmers may qualify for water access assistance 

through the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. 

Otherwise, farmers will be responsible for obtaining 

funding to install new water lines.

44

Urban Agriculture 

and Zoning

For the first time, 

Baltimore’s new zoning 

code, currently under final 

review by the Baltimore 

City Council, includes 

urban agriculture as 

a use category. Urban 

agriculture will be a 

conditional use in all 

zoning districts except 

industrial zones (it will 

be permitted by right 

in light industrial zones 

and not allowed in heavy 

industrial zones). When a 

conditional use approval 

is required, the impact 

on the public will be 

considered on a caseby-case basis. These are 

some additional standards 

set by the proposed new 

code:

• Urban agricultural 

uses that involve 

animal husbandry, 

processing of food on 

site, or use of (continued 

on far right, page 45) 

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Maintenance

Maintenance is the responsibility of the individual or 

group leasing the property, as spelled out in the lease 

agreement. This includes keeping the site in good order 

and condition.

Some farm sites may involve the community in the 

production and maintenance of the site through 

community engagement activities, jobs training 

programs, or by employing local residents.

Finally, site planning should take into account stormwater 

management. This might include rainwater harvesting 

(such as cisterns connected to hoop houses or other 

structures), drainage of site, and the prevention of soil 

erosion or agricultural runoff.

Resources (see Appendix for more detail)

In 2013, BOS released “Homegrown Baltimore: Grow 

Local”, Baltimore’s first urban agriculture plan. The plan 

lists resources for various types of local food production. 

The BOS can also facilitate good relationships between 

farmers and local communities and assist farmers with the 

permit process.

Other Resources 

The Farm Alliance of Baltimore City offers standards, 

support, and shared infrastructure for urban farmers. 

Training and other forms of support are available from 

the University of Maryland Extension, and from Future 

Harvest-CASA.

45

heavy equipment, 

must submit a 

management plan for 

approval.

• Greenhouses, 

either temporary 

or permanent, are 

permitted.

• For any cultivation 

of plants for human 

consumption, the 

applicant must use 

imported, clean soil OR 

test the soil.

• Permanent accessory 

structures are limited 

to tool sheds, shade 

pavilions, barns, 

restrooms, planting 

prep houses, and postharvest processing 

facilities. Structures 

should take up no 

more than 25 percent 

of the lot area.

• Farmstands are 

permitted but must be 

stored when the site is 

not open to the public 

for sales.

For more information 

about urban agriculture 

and what is required 

and allowed under the 

zoning code, refer to www.

rewritebaltimore.org.
Local Examples

Commercial-scale urban agriculture is emerging in 

Baltimore. Examples include: • Strength to Love Farm (Sandtown-Winchester) • Real Food Farm (Clifton Park) • Big City Farms (Port Covington)

Funding

HCD has dedicated funds for the preparation of sites by 

groups adopting city-owned land to grow food. Some of 

these funds are available for site improvements as part of 

Homegrown Baltimore.

Organizations that have demonstrated an interest 

in supporting urban agriculture include the Abell 

Foundation, United Way, and PNC Bank.

The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry 

Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) is a quasipublic corporation broadly authorized to develop 

agricultural industries and markets, support appropriate 

commercialization of agricultural processes and 

technology, and alleviate the shortage of nontraditional 

capital and credit available at affordable interest rates. 

MARBIDCO offers low-interest loans and financing 

programs to farmers.

Some farmers may qualify for assistance from the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, and should contact the 

Maryland Department of Agriculture for information.

Finally, a business plan is required for a farm lease. This is 

used to ensure that the group has a sustainable plan for 

income for any additional site improvements, ongoing 

production, and maintenance. 

46

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Local Success

Strength to Love Farm

1800 block Lorman Street

In June 2013, the Strength to Love Farm officially broke 

ground in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood in 

West Baltimore. The farm is a partnership between the 

for-profit Big City Farms and the nonprofit Newborn 

Holisitc Ministries. The 1.5-acre site is being leased from 

HCD as part of “Homegrown Baltimore”, a program to 

increase healthy food access in the City, especially in 

neighborhoods lacking grocery stores.

The farm will eventually consist of several “crop squares” 

consisting of six hoop houses each, a model that Big 

City Farms has used on its other sites. Additionally, the 

farm is working with the Parks and People Foundation to 

implement a stormwater management system on site. 

In addition to growing produce for sale, Newborn Holistic 

Ministries has three additional goals for the farm: provide 

employment opportunities to ex-offenders, beautify 

areas of blight within Sandtown-Winchester, and make 

affordable and healthy food available to neighborhood 

residents.

Site Costs = $90,000

Costs include:

• Site acquisition, prep, and permits

• Hoop house construction and growing media

• Equipment and supplies

• Electric, water, and other connections

Farming labor, insurance, production costs, tools, 

marketing, etc., not included.

Lead Partners

Big City Farms / Newborn Holistic Ministries

Baltimore Office of Sustainability

47

Abby Cocke, Baltimore City, used with permission

Abby Cocke, Baltimore City, used with permission

Abby Cocke, Baltimore City, used with permission
48
Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Stormwater

Management

REUSING VACANT LAND

Types of Stormwater Practices

Site Selection

Site Layout and Implementation

Permits and Maintenance

Resources

Local Success

49
Rain gardens, bioretention areas, and grass swales 

are all forms of “green Stormwater Management.” 

Baltimore is required by law to remove pollutants 

and contaminants that stormwater picks up from 

our neighborhoods before it enters our waterways. 

Utilizing green space and plantings, in addition to “grey” 

techniques like piping, not only filters rain fall back into 

the soil naturally but also beautifies neighborhoods and 

provides new community spaces. These spaces can also 

be used as mitigation sites for new development, which 

can help to revitalize surrounding blocks. 

Baltimore has a large amount of impervious surfaces—

roofs, streets, and parking lots. When it rains, the runoff 

from these surfaces drains into stormwater sewers. 

Baltimore is one of the few large cities that have a 

municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), which 

means that the stormwater is not mixed with sewage. 

However, it also means that runoff empties directly into 

streams and the harbor without being treated.

Stormwater management is needed to remove pollutants 

from rainwater entering Baltimore’s waterways. 

Additionally, stormwater management can provide 

opportunities to include trees and landscaping in 

neighborhoods with very little green space, and possibly 

new community spaces and nature experiences.

Stormwater management can be used on any of the 

vacant lot types, although larger lots are best since it is 

important to keep rainwater away from adjoining houses 

or structures.

Types of Stormwater Practices

There are various types of green stormwater techniques 

that can be employed to reduce and treat runoff. The 

following practices are most appropriate for vacant lots in 

Baltimore:

Stormwater Management

50

This illustrates how rainwater is 

collected, filtered, and released by a 

bioretention area that includes an 

underdrain.

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Bioretention

Bioretention is the most commonly used landscape 

practice for stormwater management. It uses a bed of 

sand, soil, and plants to filter contaminants and pollutants 

from stormwater runoff. Although water may briefly pond 

during heavy rain events, bioretention areas are designed 

to be dry most of the time. The filtered stormwater is 

either returned to a storm drain through an underdrain or 

partially infiltrated into the soil (see diagram on page 50). 

Bioretention areas are greater than 2,000 square feet in 

size and require engineering or design drawings, as well 

as stormwater plans and permits. One such example is 

Pierce’s Park at the Inner Harbor (see photos on the right). 

Rain Garden

A rain garden is a shallow, excavated landscape feature 

that temporarily holds runoff. Plantings can include 

shrubs, grasses, and flowers. Rain gardens are typically 

smaller and simpler than a bioretention practice. They 

are less than 2,000 square feet in size and do not include 

an underdrain. Rain gardens are best used to treat runoff 

from small impervious areas.

Vegetated Swale

Swales are channels that collect, filter, and slow down the 

flow of stormwater. These can be simple grass swales or 

bioswales (with an underdrain) that can include shrubs, 

perennials, or trees. Swales are often used along the edges 

of lots, especially if the space is narrow or if there will be 

some other use on the site.

Landscape Infiltration

Landscape infiltration includes impervious cover removal, 

tree planting, soil remediation, or landscape areas to 

capture, store, and treat stormwater runoff. While these 

green spaces can be simple grass spaces with trees, it is 

best that they treat drainage areas less than 10,000 square 

feet. Successful application is dependent upon soil type.

51

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amanda Rockler, University of Maryland, used with permission

Jennifer Dindinger, University of Maryland, used with permission
Permeable Surfaces for Parking

Two other types of stormwater management practices, 

permeable pavement and reinforced turf, are covered in 

Green Parking (page 56).

Site Selection

Stormwater facilities require technical expertise to ensure 

that they function properly and do not cause inadvertent 

problems of runoff or flooding. Thus, in selecting 

stormwater management sites, it is important to consider 

the following:

• Minimum size is 1/8th acre

• Site’s low point is within 20 feet of a stormwater inlet, 

or site with soils that will allow for infiltration (unless 

soil amending is planned)

• Impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, streets, or 

parking lots, are nearby from which runoff can be 

captured

• Amount of stormwater that can be collected and 

treated is adequate

• Sites near corner stores or liquor stores should be 

avoided, as these tend to generate trash

Because of the investment required to install stormwater 

management practices, the vacant lots should either be 

purchased or designated a permanent green space by the 

City. The Office of Sustainability, HCD, and Department of 

Public Work (DPW) are working to identify sites that could 

be used for stormwater mitigation.

If a nonprofit or community group is interested in 

constructing a stormwater management facility or site, 

they may be able to adopt or lease the lot on a long-term 

basis.

Site Layout and Implementation

Stormwater projects should be undertaken by or with an 

agency or organization that has experience implementing 

Seek Professional Help

Almost any type of green 

space—grass, gardens, 

trees—is beneficial for 

reducing stormwater 

runoff. However, to treat 

the stormwater, and 

to make sure that the 

runoff being collected 

and infiltrated does 

not cause flooding 

problems, it is important 

to plan and design the 

green space properly. 

Green infrastructure 

practices, or BMPs 

(best management 

practices) are engineered 

stormwater management 

facilities that are sized, 

designed, permitted, and 

constructed to properly 

handle the stormwater 

that they are intended 

to treat. If you need a 

Bobcat to construct 

your facility, please seek 

professional engineering 

assistance.

52

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
such practices. Such projects are typically too costly for 

community groups to fund and implement on their own. 

(see Resources, page 54).

However, resident involvement is important when 

selecting the location of the stormwater management 

facility, as well as the selection of plants. This will 

encourage community acceptance and avoid cases where 

well-meaning neighbors remove or mow plants, thinking 

they are weeds. People may also be concerned about 

standing water or local flooding, visibility and safety (if tall 

plants are included), and maintenance.

Because vacant lots are usually made up of some type 

of compacted fill, soil maps may not be accurate. Soils 

need to be surveyed and tested to determine their ability 

to infiltrate. Projects undertaken on sites with poor soil 

conditions may require soil amendments or replacement, 

or the construction of an underdrain system to allow the 

facility to function as intended. Where an underdrain 

system is planned, an outfall to the existing stormdrain 

system is needed.

To maximize their benefit, stormwater facilities need to 

be located so that runoff from impervious surfaces, such 

as nearby pavement or buildings, can be collected and 

directed into the facility.

Permits and Agreements

An Adopt-A-Lot license will be needed if a group wishes 

to adopt the lot and install the stormwater management 

practice (see page 16). Depending on the size and 

technical considerations involved in the project, technical 

plan reviews may be required, especially erosion and 

sediment control and stormwater management plans 

(see page 103 in the Appendix). Project planning should 

allow several months for the review process if permits 

are needed. Also, these design plans must be signed and 

sealed by an engineer. Expenses for these services should 

be included in the project costs.

53

Designed by the Forest Products Lab of 

the U.S. Forest Service and completed by 

Parks & People in the spring of 2014, this 

stormwater runoff pollution reduction 

installation serves a drainage area of 

8,655 square feet. This model sends 

stormwater through an underground 

settling tank before allowing the water 

to drain into a dual box filtration system. 

The system is covered by a wooden 

deck that features inconspicuous access 

panels for water-monitoring. The deck 

has also served as a neighborhood 

resource used for community gatherings.

Parks & People Foundation staff, used with 

permission

Parks & People Foundation staff, used with 

permission
Maintenance

Stormwater management projects should not be 

implemented unless maintenance responsibilities 

have been identified and agreed upon by the groups 

implementing and maintaining the project. Regular 

maintenance is required for stormwater facilities to 

function as designed. Depending on the project, 

maintenance may include mulching, weeding, pruning 

vegetation, and removing trash and debris. Groups that 

are implementing stormwater projects should not assume 

that City agencies will perform maintenance activities 

unless such an agreement has been made in writing. For 

most projects of this type, a community maintenance 

momorandum of understanding (MOU) will be created by 

the agency controlling the property.

Resources (see Appendix for more detail)

Several local and state organizations provide funding for 

stormwater projects, including the Chesapeake Bay Trust, 

Parks & People Foundation (community greening grants – 

rain garden projects), and the Baltimore City Critical Area 

funds. Additional resources include local and native plants 

(Herring Run Nursery) and design and technical assistance 

(Blue Water Baltimore, Civic Works, and the Neighborhood 

Design Center).

Finally, nonprofit organizations such as Blue Water 

Baltimore and Parks & People are often looking for sites 

to install stormwater facilities and/or remove impervious 

surfaces.

Existing Local Examples

• McElderry Rain Garden Park (see Local Success, page 55)

• Morgan State University CBEIS Bioretention

• Pierce’s Park (Pier 5 of the Inner Harbor)

Offsite Stormwater 

Mitigation Credits

Developers, City agencies, 

and industrial property 

owners often have trouble 

meeting on-site stormwater 

management requirements 

for their properties and 

projects. Vacant lots offer an 

opportunity to accommodate 

offsite mitigation in a 

cost-effective manner. The 

Department of Planning, 

Department of Public Works, 

and Baltimore Housing are 

actively working together 

to identify potential sites 

where developers or agencies 

can install and maintain 

stormwater facilities. These 

sites can also provide 

multiple benefits as “Mixed 

Greens”—supporting 

economic development, 

creating new community 

spaces, reducing local 

flooding problems, and 

improving water quality. For 

more information contact the 

Growing Green Coordinator 

at the Department of 

Planning.

54

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Local Success: McElderry Rain Garden Park

945 square foot site (2 vacant rowhouse lots)

McElderry and Collington

This small corner rain garden was created in 2012 by Civic 

Works’ Community Lot Team, in partnership with the 

C.A.R.E. community (see photos at right). The community 

space, located on a long-vacant corner, features stone 

boulders, trees, shrubs, perennials, stone borders, 

and mulch walking surface. The rain garden collects 

stormwater from the roof of the adjacent rowhouse.

The city-owned lots are adopted and cared for by the 

C.A.R.E. community association.

Site Costs = $10,000

Implementation Costs 

Site preparation and rain garden construction

• Removal of rubble

• Grading 

• New topsoil (planting areas)

• Sub-surface material (rain garden)

Site Improvements

• Planting

• Rocks, weirs, etc

• Planting mulch

• Wood chip path

Maintenance

• Trash removal

• Mulch replacement

• Pruning vegetation

Lead Partners

Civic Works

CARE

55

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission
Green Parking

REUSING VACANT LAND

Types of Green Parking

Site Selection

Site Layout and Implementation

Permits and Zoning

Maintenance

Funding

56

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission
57
Green Parking

“Green Parking” differs from traditional asphalt lots 

by incorporating permeable paving materials, tree 

planting, and rain gardens that capture stormwater 

runoff and shade surfaces, thus improving water quality 

and cooling the parking areas. Green parking provides 

residents, churches, and businesses in the City’s 

denser neighborhoods additional parking that cannot 

otherwise be accommodated on the street or one’s 

property.

Finding a parking space can be difficult in Baltimore’s 

rowhouse neighborhoods and commercial areas due 

to the number of residents and visitors as well as the 

narrowness of some streets. Although the City’s goal is to 

reduce the need for automobile travel, there are instances 

where vacant lots can be used to meet parking needs 

while also providing benefits such as filtering stormwater, 

reducing the heat island effect, and using recycled and 

repurposed materials.

Types of Green Parking

Green parking can include permeable paving, parking 

strips, or stormwater management practices.

Permeable Paving 

Permeable pavements typically consist of porous surfaces 

with an open stone base or sand drainage system over 

soils with a high infiltration rate. Stormwater drains 

through the surface, is captured in the drainage system, 

and infiltrates into the surrounding soils. The materials 

commercially available include porous bituminous 

asphalt, pervious concrete, and permeable interlocking 

pavers. 

Reinforced Turf

Reinforced turf consists of interlocking structural units 

with gravel or grass in between. These systems are best for 

lightly used parking areas and only where vehicles will be 

parking, not for travel lanes. Reinforced turf is best in areas 

Reinforced turf that receive direct sun.

Permeable paving

58

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Site Selection

City-owned inner block vacant lots (those on small alley 

streets) are attractive to faith-based groups, developers, 

and community members to use as parking because of 

the proximity to churches and houses. These lots can be 

bought from Housing and Community Development (HCD) 

or adopted; remember that the Adopt-A-Lot license is for 

temporary use and limits what can be done on the lot. 

Corner or missing tooth vacant lots may be of interest to 

adjacent residents for private parking. These lots can be 

purchased from HDC through the Vacants to Value Side 

Yard Program (see Side Yard Program on page 17). There are 

also zoning regulations to follow when selecting a site for 

green parking (see Green Parking and Zoning on page 62). 

When considering sites for green parking, the following 

factors should be taken into consideration:

• The number of parking spaces desired will guide the 

size of lot needed.

• Parking is most effective when it is adjacent to 

whomever will be using and managing the parking 

area. Inner block lots are typically best because they 

are the least desirable for infill development but can 

be used by multiple residents or a church. In some 

Parking Strips

These are 3 feet wide concrete or brick strips, set in 

grass, that allow cars to park on the strips rather than the 

turf. Parking strips minimize the amount of impervious 

surfaces, provide a hard surface for car tires, and protect 

the grass from compaction.

Stormwater Management

Because of the nature of urban soils, as well as demolition 

practices, the soils of vacant lots are often highly 

compacted, which can make permeable paving unfeasible. 

If this is the case, a better option is to use a stormwater 

management practice such as bioretention or bioswales 

(see the Stormwater Management section on page 48).

Parking strips

Parking with stormwater management

Stormwater management

Parking with rain garden. 

59

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission
cases, parking created along an alley street could be 

added to the right-of-way and be managed by the City. 

(See the 200 N. Duncan Street example on page 63.) In 

commercial areas, corner lots provide easy access. 

• Because parking areas are often used in the evening, 

they should be located on lots with good visibility, 

whether from the street or houses.

Other criteria include:

• Sites with less than 5 percent slope

• Sites with minimal existing tree cover

Finally, the type of soil that is on the lot is critical to the 

green parking practice that is used. Because vacant lots 

are made up of some type of compacted fill, soil maps and 

surveys may not be accurate. Soils need to be surveyed and 

tested to determine their ability to infiltrate, especially if 

permeable paving or reinforced turf is to be used. 

Site Layout and Implementation

Each green parking practice mentioned in the Green 

Pattern Book provides stormwater management, 

except for parking strips. This means that permeable 

paving, reinforced turf, and bioretention are engineered 

stormwater management facilities that need to be sized, 

designed, permitted, constructed, and maintained so 

that they properly handle the stormwater that they are 

intended to treat.

New paved surfaces should be created only where needed 

to minimize both costs and stormwater runoff. Existing 

paved areas in good condition could be repurposed as 

space for parking. Sites should be graded to capture 

stormwater runoff and sediment so as not to create 

additional sources of untreated runoff. For pervious 

parking surfaces to function properly, the underlying soils 

must allow for drainage or an underdrain system must be 

included in the design to allow for proper drainage.

The soils at the New Broadway 

East Community Park were 

loosened and replaced to allow 

the pervious parking surface to 

function properly.

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

60

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Permits and Zoning

Depending on the size and technical considerations 

involved in the project, permits may be required, 

especially erosion and sediment control and stormwater 

management plans (see page 101 in the Appendix). 

Project planning should allow several months for any 

permit approvals. Depending on the location of your 

parking, zoning variances or conditional use permits may 

be needed. Refer to the Baltimore City zoning code for 

specific information.

A clearly defined edge for parking surfaces will help deter 

people from parking in areas not intended as parking. 

The location of trees, shrubs, and planted bioretention 

areas should maintain visibility and eliminate hiding areas. 

Lighting may be needed for safe nighttime use.

Maintenance

Green parking should only be used where regular 

maintenance can be performed. Maintenance agreements 

need to be in place and should clearly specify how to 

conduct routine tasks to ensure long-term performance. 

Maintenance routines will vary according to the green 

parking practice.

Permeable pavements should be swept and vacuumed 

twice a year with a wet-dry shop-vac to reduce sediment 

accumulation that can clog the surface pores. Drainage 

pipes, edge drains, or other structures should be cleaned 

out at regular intervals. De-icing agents should be used in 

moderation, and snow plowing should be done carefully 

with blades set 1 inch above normal.

Reinforced turf and parking strips should be mown 

regularly and clippings removed. Additionally, trucks and 

other heavy equipment can damage interlocking paving 

or parking strips; these vehicles should be prevented from 

parking in these areas. Finally, for reinforced turf, drainage 

pipes, edge drains, or other structures should be cleaned 

out at regular intervals.

61

Does Gravel Reduce 

Runoff?

Gravel is often suggested 

as a parking surface 

because it is less expensive 

than concrete or asphalt. 

However, gravel is not 

considered a pervious 

surface, and for parking 

lots on nonresidential 

properties, gravel is not 

allowed by code.

According to the Baltimore 

City zoning code and 

Building Code (TITLE 16. 

OFF-STREET PARKING 

AND LOADING), gravel is 

allowed for parking and 

driveways of single-family 

detached, semi-detached, 

and rowhouse dwellings. 

Parking lots in all other 

locations must be surfaced 

and maintained with 

a dustless all-weather 

material in accordance 

with the Baltimore City 

Building Code (including 

asphalt, brick, concrete, 

or stone block). Semipervious materials, such as 

grass-crete and pervious 

pavers, may also be used.
Local Success

New Broadway East Community Park (0.3 acres)

1601-1635 N. Gay Street

Cost = $178,858 for site restoration and parking

North Gay Street in East Baltimore has a large number of 

vacant lots, but very little community space. This changed 

in June of 2013 when the Parks and People Foundation, 

Parking areas created on City-owned vacant lots are the 

responsibility of the City or the group implementing 

the improvements. Maintenance responsibilities should 

be included in the Adopt-A-Lot agreement or lease for 

the site as an MOU. Permeable paving and reinforced 

turf surfaces are discouraged for parking areas to be 

maintained by the community.

Resources

Housing and Community Development (HCD) should be 

contacted if you are interested in purchasing or adopting 

property to be used for parking. You should also contact 

the Planning Department and speak with the community 

planner for your area.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust provides grants for stormwater 

projects, including removing impervious surfaces. Blue 

Water Baltimore, Parks & People Foundation, and Civic 

Works can provide technical assistance, funding, and/ or 

in-kind resources. The Neighborhood Design Center can 

provide design assistance.

Existing Local Examples

There are several examples of parking lots that 

incorporate stormwater management throughout the 

area, in particular the new Center for Built Environment 

and Infrastructure Studies building at Morgan State 

University. Examples in neighborhoods include:

• 300 Block South Bruce Street 

• 900 Block North Milton Street

• 1800 Block Mura Street

62

Green Parking and 

Zoning

Off-street parking is 

covered in TITLE 16 of 

the City zoning code 

(Off-Street Parking 

and Loading). Various 

standards, restrictions, 

and site plan review 

requirements are 

included in this section, 

including curb cuts, 

dimensions, and 

surfacing. Consult the 

zoning code prior to 

beginning any parking 

project.

In addition, 

recommendations 

of the City’s 2006 

Comprehensive Master 

Plan included the 

creation of a Baltimore 

City Landscape Manual 

in conjunction with the 

modernization of the 

Baltimore City zoning 

code. (Continued on far 

right)

C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Humanim, and New Broadway East community association 

dedicated the New Broadway East Community Park. 

The 1/3-acre triangular open space, immediately south 

of Humanim’s headquarters in the renovated American 

Brewery building, was once 18 vacant houses. After the 

demolition of the houses, Parks and People approached 

Humanim to partner on creating a green space that would 

also include green parking. With nearly $200,000 in grants, 

the site was excavated and new topsoil and subsoil was 

added. The adjoining sidewalks were repaved, 24 large 

trees were planted, and landscaping and benches made 

from recycled paper were added.

Green parking was included in addition to green space. 

Porous paving was used on the central path, plaza, and 

parking lot as a stormwater management element (the 

site was transformed from 100 percent impervious to 100 

percent pervious). The parking is used by employees and 

visitors of Humanim, which maintains both the park and 

the parking lot.

Lead Partners

Humanim, Parks & People Foundation, New Broadway East 

Community Association, Maryland Department of Natural 

Resources, and Alliance for Community Trees Boise (Project 

UP).

Pilot Project: 200 N. Duncan Street

Duncan Street is a small street in East Baltimore. As with 

many small “alley” streets across the city, half of the inner 

block is vacant. HCD partnered with Southeast CDC, DOT, 

Recreation and Parks, and the Department of Planning 

to turn the vacant lot into seven parking spaces, a rain 

garden, and green space that will be used by an adjacent 

development project of Southeast CDC. The lot will be 

subdivided and the parking will become part of the rightof-way, while the green space and rain garden will be 

adopted by the C.A.R.E. community.

Cost = $230,000

Parks & People Foundation and Maryland

Department of Natural Resources = $100,000

DOT = $100,000

HCD = $30,000

63

 The Landscape Manual, 

which is a new development 

review tool, defines the 

required landscaping and 

screening for development 

or redevelopment projects 

of 5,000 square feet or more, 

including new buildings, 

streetscapes, open spaces, 

and parking lots. 

The manual establishes 

various standards for new 

parking lots, including 

interior and perimeter 

landscaped areas and plant 

requirements. Additionally, 

the manual encourages the 

use of parking lot peimeter 

and interior planting 

areas to accommodate 

stormwater management 

facilities. Additionally, the 

minimization of impervious 

surfaces and the use of 

pervious paving materials 

are encouraged.

For more information 

regarding the Baltimore 

zoning code or Baltimore 

City Landscape Manual, 

contact the Department of 

Planning.
64
Urban Forests 

and Buffers

REUSING VACANT LAND

Reforestation and Forest Patches

Site Selection

Site Layout and Implementation

Maintenance

Resources

Local Examples

65

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission
Urban Forests and Buffers

An “Urban Forest” is the system of trees and vegetation 

in and around a community. Wooded parks, street 

and yard trees, orchards, forested buffers or corridors, 

remnant forest patches, and landscaped boulevards 

are all part of an urban forest, providing critical green 

infrastructure for the city. Planting extensive areas 

of trees can buffer undesirable views, reduce erosion 

and stormwater runoff, cool surrounding blocks, 

create habitat for native species, provide publicly 

accessible fruits and nuts, and offer new green spaces 

in neighborhoods often lacking trees—as well as help 

the City meet its goal of increasing tree canopy. Vacant 

land adjacent to existing wooded parks, streams, and 

rail corridors offer great opportunities for incorporating 

urban forests.

Baltimore aims to achieve a 40 percent tree canopy by 

2030 (see page 71). While parks, private properties, and 

streets are typically seen as locations for planting trees, 

vacant lots offer multiple opportunities for growing 

and protecting our urban forest. This can be done by 

planting trees on neighborhood lots, creating buffers on 

vacant land along railroads, highways, and streams, and 

preserving forest patches on vacant land.

Trees and urban forests reduce erosion and stormwater 

runoff, provide neighborhoods with green space, and 

create new community spaces and nature experiences.

Urban forests and buffers should be treated as permanent 

green space; they should be located on city-owned 

vacant lots that will not be sold or that can be put under 

a forest conservation easement. Urban forestry projects, 

depending on the type of tree-planting project, can be 

located on any of the vacant lot types. However, some 

project types work best on certain types of lots. Single 

trees and rows can be appropriate for any type of lot, 

while groupings of trees are more appropriate for larger 

vacant lots such as remnant, one side, or whole block sites. 

Buffers are best suited for remnant sites.

The following are different ways that vacant lots can be 

used to increase the City’s tree canopy.

66

Did You Know?

The five most common 

tree species in Baltimore 

are American beech, black 

locust, American elm, treeof-heaven (also known as 

Ailanthus; it is an invasive 

species), and white ash. 

The emerald ash borer, a 

serious pest that kills ash 

trees, could cause losses 

estimated at $179 million, 

not including tree removal or 

treatment costs.

David Cappaert, Michigan State University

(www.invasive.org)

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Urban Forestry Project Types

To increase our tree canopy, new trees need to be planted. 

This can be done singly, in groupings and groves, or as 

buffers to shield railroads or protect streams.

Single Trees and Rows

The planting of one tree helps increase our tree canopy. 

Trees planted along the perimeter of a lot can be a sign of 

investment in a Clean and Green lot, while fruit trees can 

be included in a community-managed open space. Trees 

can help shade a green parking lot, as well as provide 

stormwater management credits. 

Open Grove / Tree Park

These are larger groupings of trees and differ from 

forest patches in that they are planted less densely and 

maintained with grass or low ground cover so that they 

are visually open and accessible. Groves and tree parks 

can act like mini-parks. They can also be used to expand 

existing wooded areas when adjacent to parks.

Orchard or Food Forest

These are larger groupings of trees planted for food 

production, and could stand alone or be part of an urban 

farm site. Orchards are usually planted as formal rows of 

trees. Food forests are modeled after natural forests, and 

may include informal groupings of nut trees, fruit trees, 

and fruit-producing shrubs, as well as herbs, vegetables, or 

mushrooms.

Buffer

These are linear plantings of trees that can be used to 

create buffers between a neighborhood and rail lines, 

highways, industrial properties, or to protect streams and 

waterways. Buffers can also be used to connect existing 

forest patches.

67

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

J. Dolehanty, Baltimore Orchard Project, used with permission

J. Dolehanty, Baltimore Orchard Project, used with permission

J. Dolehanty, Baltimore Orchard Project, used with permission
Forest Patches

A 2013 study by Baltimore Green Space showed that 34 

percent of Baltimore’s tree canopy is in the form of “forest 

patches” (see page 71). These are what most people would 

consider forest—areas (10,000 square feet or greater) with 

large trees, understory plants, and a “floor” of vegetation 

and decomposing leaves. A forest patch can be an existing 

wooded area or newly planted.

Site Selection

Because it takes years or decades for a tree to reach 

maturity, the goal is for urban forests to be permanent 

green spaces. Thus, they should be planted on city-owned 

vacant lots. While any type of vacant lot can be used for 

tree planting, the following criteria should be considered:

• Minimum size of 10,000 square feet for forest patches; 

smaller areas might be used for buffers

• Preference for sites containing steep slopes or adjacent 

to an existing forest, streams, or rail corridors

• Neighborhoods with few trees

Agreements/Protection/Easements

Community groups, faith-based organizations, and 

nonprofits that are interested in planting trees on vacant 

land can adopt the lots through HCD (see page 16). 

Groups should refrain from planting fruit trees on AdoptA-Lots given the temporary nature of the agreements 

and the number of years needed for fruit trees to mature. 

Groups interested in planting fruit trees should investigate 

purchasing or permanently protecting the lot through a 

land trust before committing resources to the planting 

and long-term maintenance of fruit trees.

Over 30 acres of forest patches are on city-owned 

vacant properties. If a group is interested in preserving 

and caring for one, they can contact Baltimore Green 

Space. Depending on the location, these forest patches 

might also be transferred to Maryland Department 

of Transportation (if along highways or railroads) or 

Recreation and Parks (if contiguous to a park). Forest 

patches can also be put under a protected easement as 

part of the Forest Conservation Program; contact the 

Planning Department.

68

The Govans Urban Forest is 

approximately 1/3 acre on 

the 5200 block of York Road. 

It is preserved under a Forest 

Conservation Easement and cared 

for by the York Road Partnership, 

which has removed trash and 

invasive species, planted seedlings, 

and erected a sign.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

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Site Layout and Implementation

Whether planting a few trees, creating a tree park, 

or preserving a forest patch, visibility and access are 

concerns for residents. The community needs to be 

consulted to determine how the site might be used. If 

the site will have limited or no access, or will be used as a 

buffer, then denser plantings are warranted. If community 

access is encouraged (with features such as a path) then 

less dense tree spacing is called for. 

Other considerations prior to planting include safety 

and the potential for the site to be used for dumping, 

especially if it’s along railroad track or streams. It is 

important to provide clear sight lines into a wooded area, 

especially as a forested patch matures

Edges along sidewalks and roads need to be given special 

consideration, such as a well-maintained grass edge or 

fencing (consider wrought iron or wood rail). If understory 

planting is desired or exists, choose plants that would 

require minimal maintenance. 

If new trees are to be planted, determine the condition 

of the soil. Sites with poor soil conditions may require 

soil amendments as well as the removal of buried bricks, 

building fragments, and tree stumps.

Maintenance

How the site will be maintained, as well as who is 

providing the maintenance, will determine the density 

of planting, types of trees, and whether there is an 

understory or ground cover. If the site will be mowed, 20-

foot spacing between trees is recommended. In the initial 

years, tree maintenance, pruning of the lower branches to 

enhance visibility, and removing any dead trees is needed. 

Ground covers that require minimal maintenance, such as 

clover, can be used, with “no mow” areas as options in later 

years. Also, it is important to make sure that there is a plan 

for removing trash and litter; wooded areas are attractive 

locations for dumping. Removal of invasive species and 

vines may be needed.

Finally, newly planted trees need water. The responsibility 

for watering the trees in their early years needs to be 

determined.

69

Less dense tree plantings may be 

desirable on some sites to maintain 

visibility.

Pruning trees and removing invasive 

plants are two maintenance activities 

needed to keep urban forests healthy.

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Miriam Avins, Baltimore Green Space, used with permission
Resources

The following organizations and agencies can provide 

financial or in-kind assistance for tree planting projects:

• Exelon and other utility companies

• Chesapeake Bay Trust grants

• Department of Transportation storm water mitigation 

offsets for capital improvement projects

• TreeBaltimore (provides free trees)

• Blue Water Baltimore

• Department of Recreation and Parks / Forestry Division

• Department of Planning - Critical Area grants for new 

forest patches and riparian buffers

Other Resources

There are several nonprofits that provide technical 

assistance and training:

• Baltimore Green Space (for stewardship of established 

forest patches)

• Blue Water Baltimore

• Parks & People Foundation

• Baltimore Tree Trust

• Baltimore Orchard Project

Existing Local Examples

Examples of trees planted on vacant lots can be found 

throughout Baltimore (see page 22 for Clean and Green). 

Examples of forest patches with community stewardship 

include:

• Govans Urban Forest

• Springfield Woods

• Wilson Park Woods

70

The creation of a 

thousand forests is in 

one acorn

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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71

Baltimore’s Forest Patches

People often think that Baltimore’s trees are mostly located along streets, in parks, and on 

residential property, but forest patches comprise a substantial portion of our total tree 

canopy: 34 percent of Baltimore’s tree canopy is land that can be classified as a forest patch. 

Forest patches are areas of contiguous canopy that are at least 10,000 square feet – places 

that “feel” like an actual forest, with large trees, understory plants, and a forest floor of leaves 

and critters. In 2013, Baltimore Green Space raised awareness of the city’s forest patches 

with their 2013 report, “Baltimore’s Forest Patches: Emerald Assets for Ecosystem Services,” 

which provides new research and key findings. Forest patches often exist on land that is not 

appropriate for development. Many forest patches abut streams and riparian areas, playing 

a significant role in managing stormwater. Other patches border parks and rail lines, and 

some are scattered in more wooded neighborhoods. Few are recognized as forest, and many 

are only valued by nearby residents. Because of their size or multiple ownership and lack 

of regulatory protections, forest patches are vulnerable to development, threatening the 

critical benefits they provide to urban residents. The Baltimore Green Space report identifies 

goals and strategies for their long-term preservation and stewardship.

Achieving Our Canopy Goal With Help From the U.S. Forest Service

For more than two decades the U.S. Forest 

Service has worked in Baltimore, providing 

information about our urban forest and 

foundational knowledge for implementing 

sustainability initiatives. Forest Service 

researchers are part of the Baltimore Ecosystem 

Study, a long-term research program funded 

by the National Science Foundation. The social 

and ecological knowledge of the Forest Service 

and the Baltimore Ecosystem Study provides 

us with a unique understanding of our city as 

an ecosystem, and how this urban ecosystem 

changes over time. 

Currently, Baltimore City has 14,000 acres of 

tree canopy that covers 27 percent of the city, 

across public and private lands, including 

residential properties. Forest Service research 

has helped us understand our urban forest 

resource and how we can achieve our goal of 

40 percent tree canopy cover by 2030. We 

now know where we can plant more trees, 

which neighborhoods need trees the most, 

and where we should prioritize our efforts (see 

map, left, and the “Urban Forest” listings in 

Resources, page 93).

This map illustrates results from a stakeholder Urban Tree 

Canopy prioritization process for the City of Baltimore, based on 

social, economic, and environmental criteria. 
Neighborhood 

Parks

REUSING VACANT LAND

Types of Neighborhood Parks

Site Selection

Site Layout and Implementation

Maintenance

Resources

Local Success

72

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission
73
Neighborhood Parks

Baltimore’s rowhouse neighborhoods often lack parks 

and recreation spaces. Vacant land is an opportunity 

to create public spaces that provide new amenities for 

residents and can attract new development. Parks are 

permanent green space and recreational facilities and 

can be phased in over several years. These spaces can be 

maintained as clean and green while the properties are 

being assembled and plans developed for determining 

park uses and layout.

One of the goals of the Sustainability Plan is that “every 

citizen lives within a quarter-mile walking distance 

from a park.” Vacant land can help to meet this goal in 

areas that are lacking recreational spaces. Creating new 

neighborhood parks can also be attractive to developers, 

providing an amenity for new housing along its perimeter 

(see Baltimore Squares, page 77). These parks can also be 

used for stormwater management with the addition of 

rain gardens or if grass fields are used for infiltration.

Types of Neighborhood Parks

Unlike Baltimore’s major parks such as Druid Hill Park or 

Carroll Park, neighborhood parks are smaller and meet the 

needs of residents living within a quarter-mile walk (about 

4 blocks), including: 

Passive Recreation

These are spaces that have a more traditional park look 

and use—lawn with scattered trees and possibly a walking 

path. As open spaces, they can accommodate informal 

ball play, space to run around, or picnicking. They can also 

include small gardens and seating.

Athletic Fields

These include soccer fields, football fields, and baseball 

fields. Because they need to accommodate regulation 

sports, the lots should be flat and sized appropriately. 

74

AGREEMENTS

Community groups 

and Community 

Development 

Corporations (CDCs) 

may be interested 

in adopting 

lots to become 

neighborhood parks. 

If so, it is best to 

contact Baltimore 

Green Space to 

discuss the long-term 

viability of using the 

lots for recreation.

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Play Spaces

Play spaces can include formal play equipment, basketball 

and tennis courts, or alternative play areas such as earth 

mounds, sand areas, or tricycle paths. Play spaces can also 

include gathering or sitting areas.

Site Selection

While any of the vacant lot types can become a 

neighborhood park, whole and half-block vacant lots are 

best because they provide more space for recreation and 

activities.

Neighborhood parks are permanent public spaces. Thus, 

it is important to choose sites that will not impede future 

development or that are not already adopted. Because 

neighborhood parks will ultimately be the responsibility 

of the Department of Recreation and Parks, lots that are 

entirely or majority city-owned are preferable. Other 

factors to consider for site selection include:

• Minimum 1-acre lot (about 1⁄2 block in size) for parks 

including athletic fields or active recreation

• Minimum 1/8-acre lot for passive parks and play spaces

• Sites with less than 5 percent slope

• Sites with minimal existing tree cover (if athletic fields 

are to be included)

• Contiguous vacant parcels preferred (to minimize 

conflicts with streets and alleys)

It is important to work with the local community and 

police to identify concerns regarding visibility, safety, 

access, and potential dumping. Because a future 

neighborhood park may take years to be developed, it 

should be maintained as clean and green in the meantime.

75

Two examples of parks created 

from vacant land: The 32nd Street 

Park, a 0.14-acre community 

park in Charles Village on the 

site of several garages that were 

demolished. Also shown at top, 

is a plan for Ripken Fields in Park 

Heights. The 7-acre site was 

assembled as part of Baltimore 

Housing’s Vacants to Value 

program and transferred to 

Recreation and Parks. 

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Adam Boarman, Baltimore City, used with permission
Maintenance

Maintenance will eventually be the responsibility of the 

Department of Recreation and Parks, although in the 

interim it might be the responsibility of Department of 

Public Works as a Clean and Green site. If the community 

is interested in assisting with maintenance, partnership 

agreements or MOUs as a “Friends of Park” group should 

be considered. While the park is being established, fencing 

may be needed to deter dumping; consider wrought iron 

or wood rail fencing.

Site Layout and Implementation

Parks are public green spaces and will either be the 

responsibility of Recreation and Parks or the group 

adopting the lots. Because of the capital costs for 

developing a park, phased development should be 

considered; a park may begin as Clean and Green while 

waiting for funding. Thus, it is important that the local 

community be consulted to determine how the park will 

be used.

While neighborhood parks can be open lawn with trees, 

they can also include athletic fields and play equipment. 

Thus, the following should also be considered: • Accessibility to the neighboring community. • Proximity of the lots to problem areas such as 

dumping sites. Fencing may be needed, especially 

along alleys and the back of lots.

• Visibility and safety, especially if trees are planted. 

Make sure that trees are spaced at least 20 feet apart 

to allow for mowing.

• Edges along sidewalks and roads need to be given 

special consideration; a well-maintained grass edge, 

signage, fencing, or lighting might be considered.

A park might also provide stormwater management or 

include tree planting. See the sections on Stormwater 

Management (page 48) and Urban Forests and Buffers 

(page 64) for examples. 

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C + G CMOS UA SWM GP UF NP MG
Resources (see Appendix for more detail)

Large parks, such as Ripken Fields (page 75), can include 

recreation fields, paths, and playgrounds. Baltimore City 

capital improvement funds, state bond bills, and Maryland 

Program Open Space are funding sources. 

For smaller parks such as the 32nd Street Park or Bethel 

Street Parks, the Parks & People Foundation’s Partnership 

for Parks grant, the Baltimore Community Foundation, and 

volunteers are sources for funding, labor, and materials. 

Other resources include:

• Baltimore Green Space—assistance in making a 

temporary community park a permanent green space

• Neighborhood Design Center—design and planning 

assistance

• Department of Recreation and Parks—guidance in 

deciding if vacant land should become a park

Baltimore’s Residential Squares

During the 19th century, Baltimore was expanding rapidly 

from the harbor. To encourage the development of houses 

for the growing merchant class, City leaders set aside 

whole blocks that were to be permanent green spaces. 

Patterned after squares like Gramercy Park in New York 

City, Baltimore’s new neighborhood parks were to remain 

open to the populace. The City agreed to improve the park 

and surrounding streets and sidewalks, while developers 

who purchased the properties around the green spaces 

agreed to develop housing within a certain period of time. 

These green spaces would become fashionable residential 

areas like Union Square (right), Lafayette Square, Harlem 

Park, and Park Place.

77

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission

Jenny Guillaume, Baltimore City, used with permission
Local Success

Calvert Street Park

2200 block North Calvert Street

For years this lot was simply a green space waiting for a 

use. In the late 2000s, the Old Goucher neighborhood, 

with the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC), worked to 

turn the green space into a 1.1-acre park. The community 

asked Recreation and Parks to have the lot transferred 

from Housing and Community Development. Once this 

happened, they applied for and received funding from 

Healthy Neighborhoods to install a low, wrought iron 

fence to provide edge definition to Calvert Street. NDC 

also worked with the community to create a master plan 

for the park.

Within a month after the fence was installed, people were 

walking dogs and playing pick-up soccer games. The park is 

now marketed to new homeowners as part of an adjacent 

redevelopment project called North Calvert Green.

Site Improvements $25,000 • Fence ($25,000) • New trees (donated)

Lead Partners

Baltimore Housing

Department of Recreation and Parks

Old Goucher Community Association

Pilot Project

2500 S. Paca Street

When public housing in the Mt. Winans neighborhood 

was selected for demolition, the community asked 

that the land be consolidated with existing park space 

adjacent to it. The new park land (1.8 acres) will serve as 

additional green space as well as a buffer to the railroad 

tracks along its northern edge. 

78

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79

Calvert Street Park

All photos, Mark Cameron, Baltimore City, used with permission
80
Mixed Greens

REUSING VACANT LAND

Site Selection

Site Layout and Implementation

Maintenance

Resources

Pilot Project

81

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission
“Mixed Greens” are sites that can accommodate more 

than one green space type, such as communitymanaged open space with storm water management. 

While these sites tend to be larger vacant lots, or 

clusters of vacant lots, they can be of any size (the 

example cited on page 38, Brentwood Commons, is 

only 1/8th of an acre). Accommodating multiple uses 

provides both flexibility in reclaiming and greening 

vacant land while also providing new partnerships for 

implementation, use, and maintenance. In particular, 

mixed greens are an opportunity to phase in new uses 

to clean and green sites.

The previous seven green patterns are ways to think 

about how we can reuse vacant land in positive and 

productive ways. While we can envision and use these 

patterns singularly, they often overlap and complement 

one another. Because mixed greens is where more than 

one green pattern is used, the benefits of each pattern, 

when used in combination with one another, can help to 

achieve multiple goals for neighborhood improvement 

and greening while encouraging multiple partners and 

resources.

Site Selection

The selection of a site will vary depending on the mix of 

green space types (see location criteria for other greening 

types). Larger vacant lots—inner block lots, half and 

whole blocks—often work best, but smaller lots can be 

appropriate when including community-managed open 

spaces. It is important to understand who owns the lots, 

especially if utilizing any patterns that are permanent 

green space.

Site Layout and Implementation

See the guidelines for individual green space types. 

In addition, the compatibility of the mix of uses 

(implemented and in the future) should be considered.

Mixed Greens

We abuse land 

because we regard 

it as a commodity 

belonging to us. 

When we see land as 

a community to which 

we belong, we may 

begin to use it with 

love and respect.

- Aldo Leopold

82

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Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

Maintenance

Maintenance of a mixed greens site is the responsibility 

of the group owning or adopting the lots (whether a 

community group, nonprofit, church, or City agency). 

See maintenance recommendations for individual green 

space types.

Resources

As with site selection, layout, and maintenance, the 

resources available for mixed greens will vary depending 

on the mix of green space uses.

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission

83

Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City, used with permission
Pilot Project

East Eager Stormwater Park

2300-2400 blocks East Eager Street

Phase 1: Clean and Green

The 1-acre site is within Station East, a redevelopment 

area targeted by the nonprofit Historic East Baltimore 

Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC). Because of the 

site’s proximity to the railroad tracks, no new housing can 

be built on these blocks. This provided an opportunity for 

the Maryland Department of Transportation (DOT) to use 

the vacant land for stormwater mitigation (demolition 

counts toward impervious surface removal) and to create 

a community space that would benefit the Station East 

redevelopment. The proposed project is illustrated on 

page 85.

After the demolition of vacant houses on the 2300-2400 

blocks of East Eager Street, the site will be stabilized and 

fenced to deter dumping. It will then be maintained as 

Clean and Green until all of the properties can be acquired 

by HCD.

Phase 2: Stormwater Park

Once the properties are under HCD control, they will be 

transferred to DOT and final site work will be implemented 

for stormwater mitigation. This will include the removal of 

the alley, final grading, and the planting of trees to buffer 

the railroad tracks. The parking on the southwest corner of 

North Milton and Eager Streets will move across the street 

to make way for new housing (Green Parking is Phase 3 by 

HEBCAC).

Lead Partners

HEBCAC

HCD

DOT

Office of Sustainability

Expected cost for the project (not including demolition)

84

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$80,000

Site Preparation

• Erosion control

• Final grading, 4 inches of topsoil

• Removal of concrete alley

Site Improvements

• Trees

• Grass seed (as needed)

85

Mark Cameron and Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimroe City, used with permission
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

APPENDIX

Definitions

Adopt-A-Lot: A formal agreement that allows an 

individual or group to use a city-owned vacant lot as a 

community-managed open space.

Agency: A government entity or department, such as 

the Department of Planning, Maryland Department of 

Agriculture, etc. 

Agriculture: An income-generating activity and business 

enterprise (whether for-profit or nonprofit), in which 

crops are grown primarily for sale or distribution to others, 

rather than primarily for one’s self and family. 

BMP (best management practice): A stormwater 

management facility, such as a rain garden or bioretention area, that collects and treats stormwater runoff.

Community Development Corporation (CDC): A 

neighborhood-based nonprofit, typically with fulltime staff, often developing affordable housing and/or 

neighborhood programming.

Community managed open space (CMOS): A community 

space that is either under an Adopt-A-Lot agreement or 

protected by a land trust.

Conditional use: Requires approval, as in the zoning code. 

It differs from “Permitted Use”, which is allowed by the 

zoning code.

Food forest: Modeled on a natural forest, but including 

plants that produce fruits, nuts, herbs, and mushrooms.

Forest patch: A forested area that is at least 10,000 square 

feet in size.

Growing Green Initiative (GGI): The Mayor’s initiative that 

provides planning, policy, resources, and administrative 

support for the Green Pattern Book. It is housed in the 

Office of Sustainability.

Hoop house: An outdoor greenhouse made of 

polyethylene, usually semi-circular and elongated in 

shape.

86
Impervious: A surface that does not let water infiltrate, 

such as concrete or asphalt.

License: A legal agreement that allows a particular use, 

like the Adopt-A-Lot license.

Lease: A longer-term agreement for the use of a property. 

Generally includes some type of fee.

Mitigation: The act of making a condition or situation less 

severe, like improving contaminated soil.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A formal 

agreement between two or more parties.

Nongovernmental Organization (NGO): Nonprofit 

organization

Nuisance abatement: Removing a nuisance from a vacant 

lot, like cleaning up trash or mowing.

Off-street parking: Parking that is not along a street, such 

as a parking lot or driveway.

Permit: An official document giving someone 

authorization to do something, such as erect a fence or 

keep chickens.

Pervious: A surface that allows for water infiltration, such 

as grass or garden plantings.

Stormwater management (SWM): The practice of 

diverting, collecting, treating, and/or reusing rain water 

that runs off of impervious surfaces. 

Vacant lot: An unoccupied property that has no structure.

Vacant property: An unoccupied property with a 

structure.

Vacants to Value (V2V): A program of Baltimore Housing, 

which oversees the demolition, acquisition, disposition, 

and creative reuse of the City’s vacant lots and buildings.

Zoning code: The legal regulation of buildings and 

structures in in accordance with their construction and the 

nature of their use.

87
Vacant Lot Types Suitable for Green Patterns

Green Patterns

Corner LotHighly visible site on the corner of a blockMissing ToothMid-block site, between existing buildingsInner BlockSite at the center of a block, along a small street or alley streetRemnantIrregularly shaped site, due to angled streets, rail lines, or natural featuresVacant Block - One SideSite with street frontage along one whole side of a blockVacant Block - Whole BlockSite on an entirely vacant block, often with street frontage on more than one sideSwiss CheeseSite consisting of several vacant lots scattered among existing buildings

Key

Clean & Green

Page 24 ●●●●●●●

x Not Suitable

Community-Managed Open Space

Page 30 ●●○●○○○

○ Suitable

Urban Agriculture

Page 40 ○ x ○○●● x

● Most Suitable

Stormwater Management

Page 48 ●○○●●○ x

Green Parking

Page 56 ○ x ●○●○○

Urban Forests and 

Buffers Page 64 ○ x ○●●● x

Neighborhood Parks

Page 72 ○○○○●●○

Mixed Greens

Page 80 ○○●○●●●

Vacant Lot Types - Page 22

88
Resources Required for Implementation

Green Patterns

Time

The amount of time 

needed to implement a 

green pattern

Cost

The relative expense of 

different Green Patterns

Labor

How much work is needed and how 

much still is involved in 

implementation and maintenance

Clean & Green*

Page 24 ● $ ◊

Community-Managed Open Space*

Page 30 ● to ●● $ to $$ ◊ to ◊◊

Urban Agriculture**

Page 40 ● to ●● $$$ ◊◊ to ◊◊◊

Stormwater Management*

Page 48 ●● to ●●● $$ to $$$ ◊◊

Green Parking*

Page 56 ●●● $$$ ◊◊

Urban Forests and Buffers*

Page 64 ● to ●● $ to $$ ◊◊

Neighborhood Parks*

Page 72 ● to ●●● $$$ ◊ to ◊◊

Mixed Greens*

Page 80 ● to ●●● $ to $$$ ◊ to ◊◊◊

◊ Small group sufficient to implement/maintain

No special skill required

◊◊ Medium-sized group needed to implement/maintain

Some specialized skills or training may be required

◊◊◊ Medium or large group needed to implement/maintain

Specialized skills and/or training are required

$ Less than $1,000

$$ $1,000 to $5,000

$$$ More than $5,000

● 6 months or less

●● 6 to 12 months

●●● More than 12 months

*Assuming a 1/4-acre site

**Assuming a 1-acre site

89
FAQs and Resources for Green Patterns

Green Patterns

How do I determine ownership of a lot?Page 16How do I adopt, lease, or buy a lot?

Page 16 & 17Do I need to have insurance?

Page 18

How do I access water for a lot?Page 19

How do I determine if the soils are safe to dig in?

Page 20Baltimore Community ToolbankOffers low-cost tool rental for nonprofit and community groups

Baltimore Farm AllianceOffers support, shared resources, and training for farmersBaltimore Green SpaceLand trust for the protection of green spaces and forest patchesBaltimore Orchard ProjectAssistance with planting fruit and nut trees and berry bushesBaltimore Tree TrustWorkshops and resources for those interested in community tree plantingBlue Water Baltimore/Herring Run Nursery

Clean & Green

Page 24 ●●○○○○ ○

Community-Managed Open Space

Page 30 ●●○●●● ●○○

Urban Agriculture

Page 40 ●●●●●○● ○ 

Stormwater Management

Page 48 ●●○○○● 

Green Parking

Page 56 ●●○○○● 

Urban Forests and 

Buffers Page 64 ●●○○○○ ●●●

Neighborhood Parks

Page 72 ●●○○○○ ○ ○

Mixed Greens

Page 80 ●●●○○● ○○○

Key

○ Helpful Information or Resource

● Important Information or Resource

90
FAQs and Resources for Green Patterns—continued

Land trust for the protection of green spaces and forest patchesBaltimore Orchard ProjectAssistance with planting fruit and nut trees and berry bushesBaltimore Tree TrustWorkshops and resources for those interested in community tree plantingBlue Water Baltimore/Herring Run NurseryResources and assistance related to rain gardens and native 

/l d Citizens Planning and Housing Association

Provides community organizing services for CPHA membersCivic WorksWorks with community groups and volunteers to transform vacant lotsCommunity Law CenterOffers legal assistance, workshops, and information

Neighborhood Design Center

Offers pro bono planning and design assistance

Parks & People FoundationOffers educational programs, a greening guide, and greening grantsCommunity Greening Resource Network (CGRN)Offers plants, materials, and, and tools for gardeningUniversity of Maryland Extension, Baltimore CityOffers horticultural and gardening expertice and trainingPower In DirtStep-by-step help with adopting vacant lotsTree Baltimore/Baltimore Tree give-away events

○○○○○ ○○ ○○

○○○●●●●●●●●●

○ ● ○●

●○●○●● ○○

●○●●●○ ○○

●●●○○○○●○ ○●

○○○○○●●○ ○○

○○○●●●●●○○○○

91
Contact Information

Local Nonprofit Organizations

Baltimore Community ToolBank

www.baltimore.toolbank.org

1224 Wicomico Street

Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 244-5565

Baltimore Farm Alliance

www.farmalliancebaltimore.org

Baltimore Green Space

www.baltimoregreenspace.org

1212 N. Wolfe Street

Baltimore, MD 21213

(443) 996-3811

Baltimore Orchard Project

www.baltimoreorchard.org

(410) 695-3445

Baltimore Tree Trust

www.baltimoretreetrust.org

P.O. Box 26202

Baltimore, MD 21210

Blue Water Baltimore

www.bluewaterbaltimore.org

3545 Belair Road

Baltimore, MD 21213

(410) 254-1577

Citizens Planning and Housing 

Association

www.cphabaltimore.org

3355 Keswick Road, Suite 200

Baltimore, MD 21211

(410) 539-1369

Civic Works

www.civicworks.com

2701 St Lo Dr, Baltimore, MD 21213

(410) 366-8533

Community Law Center

www.communitylaw.org

3355 Keswick Road, Suite 200, 

Baltimore, MD 21211

(410) 366-0922

Neighborhood Design Center

www.ndc-md.org

1401 Hollins Street

Baltimore, MD 21223

(410) 233-9686

Parks & People Foundation / 

Community Greening Resource 

Network (CGRN)

www.parksandpeople.org

800 Wyman Park Dr, Baltimore, MD 

21211

(410) 448-5663

University of Maryland Extension, 

Baltimore City

www.extension.umd.edu/

baltimore-city

6615 Reisterstown Road, Suite 201

Baltimore, MD 21215

(410) 856-1850

Baltimore City Agencies

Baltimore Office of Sustainability

www.baltimoresustainability.org

417 E. Fayette Street, 8th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 396-4556

Baltimore Housing/Vacants to 

Value

www.baltimorehousing.org/

vacants_to_value.aspx

417 E Fayette St, Suite 1339

Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 396-3237

Baltimore Department of 

Planning

www.baltimorecity.

gov/Government/

AgenciesDepartments/Planning.

aspx

417 E. Fayette Street, 8th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 396-7526

Department of Public Works 

/ Division of Environmental 

Compliance and Laboratory 

Services

www.publicworks.baltimorecity.

gov/Bureaus/WaterWastewater/

SurfaceWater.aspx

600 Abel Wolman Municipal 

Building

Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 396-3500

Power in Dirt 

www.powerindirt.com

800 Wyman Park Dr, Baltimore, 

MD 21211

(410) 448-5663

TreeBaltimore

www.treebaltimore.org

3001 East Dr.

Baltimore, MD 21217 

(410) 458-7888

Baltimore Health Department

www.baltimorehealth.org

1001 E. Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 396-4398

92
continued

Resources

Green Space 

Type Organization

Information 

Source Resource(s) Who would use

Clean and 

Green

HCD Document Demolition specification HCD/other City 

agencies

Clean and 

Green

Baltimore City Website Cityview Mapping

- Pull-down menu for “Looking for 

information about... City Services”, 

“And wanting to know...”Vacant 

lot proactive mowing schedule”—

shows map of sites 

HCD/other City 

agencies

Urban 

Agriculture

Baltimore Farm 

Alliance

Website Tab “Alliance”

- Training (includes City laws and codes)

- New Farmer How-to (includes Access to 

Land / Access to Water and description 

of the process for using a lot that is cityowned, privately owned, and neglected.

- Links to CPHA “Vacant Lot Greening” 

tipsheet, Power in Dirt VISTAs, and HCD 

Adopt-A-Lot. 

People interested 

in starting an 

urban farm - the 

website makes 

a distinction 

between 

urban farming 

(commercial) 

and community 

gardening

Urban 

Agriculture

Baltimore Office 

of Sustainability

Website Includes information on the various 

Sustainability Plan goals, including Greening 

(Urban Agriculture)—description/metrics/

partner organizations, what you can do 

(minimal links)

Tab “Resource Center”

- Urban Agriculture in Baltimore 

presentation

- Resources for urban farmers

People interested 

in starting an 

urban farm 

(private/NGO/

community)

Urban 

Agriculture

Community Law 

Center

Website Link to “Urban Agriculture Law Project” People interested 

in starting an 

urban farm 

(private/NGO/

community)

Urban 

Agriculture

University 

of Maryland 

Extension, 

Baltimore City

Website Section on “Urban Agriculture” under 

construction and has old links

People interested 

in starting an 

urban farm 

(private/NGO/

community)

93
continued

Green Space 

Type Organization

Information 

Source Resource(s) Who would use

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Baltimore 

Green Space

Website Tab “How to Preserve an Open Space”

- Includes BGS application forms and 

guidelines

 Tab “Resources”

- Includes links to other organizations 

(CGRN, Power in Dirt, Master 

Gardeners) and documents “Start 

and Keep a Community Green Space 

(BGS), “Greening Neighborhoods (P&P), 

Vacant Lot Greening (CPHA), and guide/

flow chart to transfer CMOS from City 

ownership to land trusts.

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Baltimore 

Green Space

Documents - “Start and Keep a Community Green 

Space”

- “Preserving Community-Managed Open 

Spaces: Criteria and Process” (2010)

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Parks & People 

Foundation

Website Tab “Greening”

- Vacant Lots (includes images, link 

to Power in Dirt, neighborhood 

greening grants, “Guide to Greening 

Neighborhoods”

- Community Greening Resource Network 

(includes links to various resources)

Includes Events and Workshops

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Parks & People 

Foundation

Document A Guide for Greening Neighborhoods (2002) 

- available on the website

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Parks & People 

Foundation

Document Greening to Improve Water Quality and 

Quality

of Life -Watershed 263 Workshop (2012) 

- available on the website

Community 

members / NGOs 

/ faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

CPHA Document “How to Turn a Vacant Lot into a Garden or 

Pocket Park” (2011)

- not currently available on the website

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

CPHA Website Includes events / workshops on community 

greening

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Community Law 

Center

Website Tab “Trainings & Information”—“Information 

for Neighborhoods”

- Description of legal services available to 

community greeners

- Baltimore Adopt-A-Lot program: legal 

issues

- Self-help nuisance abatement to clean 

up vacant lots (links to guide)

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

94
continued

Green Space 

Type Organization

Information 

Source Resource(s) Who would use

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Community Law 

Center

Documents “Adopt-A-Lot Agreements: Legal Issues To 

Consider”

- available on the website

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Community Law 

Center

Documents “Self-Help Nuisance Abatement in Baltimore, 

MD”

- available on the website

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Baltimore 

Green Map

Website - Interactive map includes locations 

for community gardens and other 

community spaces; ability to include 

descriptions + images

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Power in Dirt Website Includes step-by-step process for adopting a 

vacant lot with map of available properties

- Online forms for lot adoption

- Online forms for water access

- Link to Baltimore Green Space

- Link to greening grants

- Includes images of adopted lots

(Does not have a link to HCD’s Adopt-a-Lot 

website)

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

HCD Website Vacants to Value

- Includes a link to the Adopt-A-Lot 

program

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

HCD Website Adopt-A-Lot program

Includes list (spreadsheet) of available lots

- Online forms for lot adoption

- Online forms for water access

- Link to resources, including Power in Dirt 

VISTAs and CPHA, P&P, and BGS docs

(Does not have a link to Power in Dirt 

website)

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

CommunityManaged 

Open Space

Baltimore Office 

of Sustainability

Website Includes information on the various 

Sustainability Plan goals, including 

Cleanliness (Vacant Lots)—description/

metrics/partner organizations, what you can 

do (minimal links)

Tab “Resource Center”—Sustainability 

Guides

- Greening Neighborhoods (P&P)

- Guide to Preserving CMOS (BGS)

- Vacant Lot Greening (CPHA)

People interested 

in starting an 

urban farm 

(private/NGO/

community)

95
continued

Green Space 

Type Organization

Information 

Source Resource(s) Who would use

Stormwater 

Management

Blue Water 

Baltimore

Website Tab “Programs”

- Clean Water Communities (targeted 

neighborhoods)

- Community Greening (focus on 

information and resources for private 

residential) Includes link to Rain Gardens

No external links or downloadable resources 

(other than Water Audit program)

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

Stormwater 

Management

Parks & People 

Foundation

Website Tab “Greening”

- Greening for Water Quality (includes 

info on WS 263 and WS246 and 

“Greening to Improve Water Quality” 

presentation

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

Stormwater 

Management

DPW Division of 

environmental 

Compliance 

and Laboratory 

Services

Document Stormwater Manual (2003) DPW/DOT/

Developer/

Designer

Stormwater 

Management

DPW Division of 

Environmental 

Compliance 

and Laboratory 

Services

Document MOU between DOT and DPW for 

establishment of Baltimore City stormwater 

management design guidelines, terms, and 

conditions.

DPW/DOT

Stormwater 

Management

DPW Document Green Book—includes stormwater 

management guidelines

DPW/DOT/

Developer/

Designer

Urban Forest TreeBaltimore Website Tab “Programs”

- Free tree giveaway

- Tree Neighborhood Program

Tab “Partners” (links but not to particular 

info)

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

Urban Forest Baltimore 

Orchard Project

Website Tab: Orchard Library

- Under Baltimore City Resources includes 

links to Tree Baltimore, Power in Dirt, 

and Master Gardeners

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

Urban Forest Blue Water 

Baltimore

Website Tab: Community Greening

- Includes information on Tree 

planting

Tab: Herring Run Nursery

- Includes information for buying trees 

and links to CGN and Master Gardeners

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

96
Green Space 

Type Organization

Information 

Source Resource(s) Who would use

Urban Forest Baltimore Tree 

Trust

Website Minimal resources for people wanting to 

plant trees on vacant lots or community 

spaces

Community 

members/NGOs/

faith-based

Urban Forest U.S. Forest 

Service

Website Includes USFS research themes and key 

publications

City/NGOs/

Community 

residents

Green 

Parking

City Document Building Code

- Permeable paving systems may 

be utilized in accordance with the 

regulations of DPW.

Community 

residents/

businesses/NGO/

developer/City/

designer

Green 

Parking

DPW Document Stormwater Management Manual

- Includes specifications for various types 

of stormwater management

Community 

residents/

businesses/NGO/

developer/City/

designer

Green 

Parking

City Document Zoning Code

- Grasscrete and permeable pavers 

allowed

Community 

residents/

businesses/NGO/

developer/City/

designer

97
Green Pattern/Funding Source

Clean & GreenPage 24Community-Managed Open SpacePage 30Urban AgriculturePage 40Stormwater ManagementPage 48Green ParkingPage 56Urban Forests and BuffersPage 64Neighborhood ParksPage 72Mixed GreensPage 80

Baltimore Community Foundation

Neighborhood Grants Program

Annual

Awards in 3 categories range from $1,000 to $5,000

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Parks & People Foundation

Community Greening Grants

Biannual

Up to $1,000

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Parks & People Foundation

Partnerships for Parks Grants

Biannual

$500 to $5,000

● ●

Chesapeake Bay Trust

Restoration Grants

Annual

Awards range from $5,001 to $25,000

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Chesapeake Bay Trust

Green Streets - Green Jobs - Green Towns Grants

Annual

Awards in three categories with maximum of $250,000

● ● ● ● ● ●

Chesapeake Bay Trust

Community Engagement and Restoration Mini-Grant

Ongoing until funds are exhausted

Up to $5,000

● ● ● ● ● ●

HCD/Homegrown Baltimore

Site Preparation and Water Access for Food 

Production Sites Ongoing until funds are exhausted

Awards vary

● ● ●

The Abell Foundation

Grants to support Community Development and Conservation

Ongoing

Awards vary

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Key

● Potential Funding Source

Potential Funding Sources

98
Plant Resources

What are native plants and why should I use them?

Native plants are those trees, shrubs, perennials and other types of plants that have evolved and occur 

naturally within the local area or region. Native plants are often better adapted to local conditions, including 

temperature, rainfall, and soil conditions compared to species that have been brought to the area from other 

regions or countries, and therefore require less water, fertilizers, and pesticides to maintain. Native plants are 

also better sources of habitat and food for local wildlife, including birds and pollinators.

Where can I find more information about which plants are native to our area? What factors should I 

consider when selecting plants?

There are many sources for native plant lists. Some of these lists refer to geographic regions. Species from 

either the Piedmont or Coastal Plain regions are appropriate for use in Baltimore. The following resources may 

serve as a starting point for identifying native plants for your project:

• Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping in Maryland (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) 

- http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/nativesmd/index.htm#pdf

• Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service) - http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/

When selecting plants, consider the conditions of your site (light, soil conditions, access to water) and compare 

them against the sun and water needs of the plants you are considering. Also consider the mature height and 

spread of each species and where you plan to locate it, so that you don’t use plants that will grow too large for 

your space or create problems with visibility.

Where can I buy native plants?

The Herring Run Nursery, operated by Blue Water Baltimore, is the only native plant nursery in the City. Herring 

Run Nursery has weekend plant sales in the spring and the fall. Plant sale schedules and a list of inventory in 

stock are available here: http://www.bluewaterbaltimore.org/herring-run-nursery/

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also maintains a list of native plant nurseries in Maryland and other midAtlantic states: http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/bayscapes/bsresources/bs-nurseries.html

What are invasive species and why should I avoid using them?

Invasive plant species are plants that have the ability to spread aggressively outside their natural range. 

Invasive plants can become a problem when they damage or crowd out other plants and compete for 

resources such as water and light. Some invasive species, such as tree-of-heaven, spread on their own and 

frequently pop up in alleys and on vacant lots. Other invasive species, such as English ivy and purpleleaf 

wintercreeper, are planted by gardeners and can be kept in check if well maintained, but can spread and 

damage other plants if not contained. To minimize maintenance, these and other invasive species should be 

avoided when greening vacant lots.

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural 

Areas contains information and pictures of many invasive plant species: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/

pubs/midatlantic/midatlantic.pdf

Other Resources

The Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks Division of Forestry maintains a list of trees appropriate for 

street tree plantings in Baltimore, as well as a list of trees that should not be planted - http://bcrp.baltimorecity.

gov/Portals/Parks/documents/StreetTreeSpeicesList_BaltimoreCity_Final_7-08-2013.pdf

The University of Maryland Extension’s website offers resources and information for many types of gardening 

including conservation landscapes and edible gardens - http://extension.umd.edu/topics/gardening

99
Permits, Approvals, and Agreements Green Pattern/ Responsible Agency

Clean & Green

Page X

Community-Managed 

Open Space

Page X

Urban Agriculture

Page X

Stormwater 

Management

Page X

Green Parking

Page X

Urban Forests and 

Buffers

Page X

Neighborhood Parks

Page X

Mixed Greens

Page X

Office of SustainabilityResources for Urban Farmers, Forest Conservation Easements

Urban Agriculture 

Lease

Forest Conservation 

Easement

Department of PlanningInformation on Zoning requirements for uses such as CMOS, Urban Agriculture, and Green Parking

Meet with 

community planners

Meet with 

community planners

Meet with 

community planners

Meet with 

community planners

Stormwater 

Management Plan

Stormwater 

Management Plan

Erosion and 

Sediment Control 

Plan

MOU for 

Maintenance

Adopt-a-lot License Urban Agriculture Lease Adopt-a-lot License Adopt-a-lot License

Water Access 

Application

Water Access 

Application

Building Permits 

(fences, gazebos, 

etc)

Building Permits 

(fences, storage 

buildings, etc)

Department of General ServicesPermits for events and right-of-entry

Special Events 

Permit

Right of Entry 

Permit (if collecting 

stormwater from the 

right of way)

Right of Entry 

Permit (curb cuts)

Health DepartmentPermits for beekeeping and animal husbandry

Permit from Bureau 

of Animal Control to 

keep chickens or 

bees

Permit from Bureau 

of Animal Control to 

keep chickens or 

bees

Maryland Department of AgricultureRegistration of animal bee keeping and husbandry activities

Registration for 

keeping chickens or 

bees

Registration for 

keeping chickens or 

bees

Baltimore Municipal ZoningConditional use and other zoning approvals

Conditional Use 

Permit

Conditional Use 

Permit

Transfer of property 

(HCD to another 

responsible agency)

Transfer of property 

(HCD to another 

responsible agency)

Transfer of property 

(HCD to another 

responsible agency)

DPW/ Water and WastewaterPermits for managing stormwater, stormwater credit for community cleanups

Erosion and 

Sediment Control 

Plan

Baltimore Housing / Vacants to ValueInformation on lot availablity, adoption, lease, and purchase

Adopt-a-lot License

Transfer of property 

(HCD to another 

responsible agency) Will depend on the mix of green space 

types

100
Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Adopt-A-Lot License

Responsible Agency: Housing and Community Development

Key Information:

• No fee required; online application is available

• Provides initial 1 year agreement for community group or nonprofit to use the lot

• License is renewable for up to 5 years

• The City may, at its sole discretion, terminate the agreement on thirty (30) days written notice. However, if 

the community space is being used as a garden, discretion will be used to ensure that said termination will 

not take place during the growing season to allow the Licensee time to harvest. 

• Limited permission is granted for the installation of temporary structures ancillary to approved community 

open space activities. 

• The lot cannot be used for parking or a business.

• Signed permission must be received from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Water Access Program

Responsible Agency: Housing and Community Development 

Key Information:

• $120 fee

• Inspector will assess your site for water availability. If water is available, the inspector will install a device 

that you can connect a hose to and will contact you to provide instruction on how to use it. 

• If water access is not available, your original $120 payment will be returned to you with information for 

other options.

• Any nonprofit farm entering into a lease agreement with the City can request financial assistance for water 

access and irrigation. Contact the Office of Sustainability for details.

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Urban Agriculture Lease

Responsible Agency: Housing and Community Development/Office of Sustainability

Key Information:

• Farmers may apply to be prequalified with the City of Baltimore to negotiate for leases on parcels of ctyowned vacant land for the purposes of urban agriculture. Qualified applicants will be eligible to be offered 

leases for a period of 5 years, with an option to renew.

• The Prequalification Application has a rolling deadline, and applications may be submitted at any 

time. Applications are available for download at: http://www.baltimoresustainability.org/homegrownbaltimore-grow-local

101
Permits, Approvals, and Agreements

Applicants can include not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, or a partnership between 

any of these entities. Applicants MUST have as a member of their team a person with at least 1 year of 

experience in agricultural production. In addition, applicants will be asked to provide management, 

financial, and community engagement plans, as well as other relevant information.

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Special Events Permit (on a community-managed open space) 

Responsible Agency: General Services

Key Information:

• A Special Event is a planned temporary activity (festival, community picnic, etc.), open to the general 

public

• Permit fees vary and are listed on the application

• If food is being sold, a temporary food permit is needed from the Health Department.

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Conditional Use Permit

Responsible Agency: Baltimore Municipal Zoning Appeals

Key Information:

• Urban agriculture is a conditional use in all zoning districts except for industrial zones.

• Green parking as the principal use on a lot is a conditional use in rowhouse and multi-family 

residential zoning districts and neighborhood commercial zones.

• Application for conditional use is required; one-time permit fee between $200 - $400.

• Urban agriculture that involves the following must submit a management plan for approval: animal 

husbandry, processing of food produced on site, spreading of manure, spraying of agricultural 

chemicals, and use of heavy equipment such as tractors.

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Animal Husbandry Permits 

Responsible Agency: Health Department

Key Information:

• Baltimore’s animal husbandry regulations allow for the keeping of bees, chickens, rabbits, and goats.

• Permits must be obtained from the Office of Animal Control.

• Baltimore’s “Regulations for Wild, Exotic, and Hybrid Animals” specifies the total number of each type 

of animal that may be kept, and any conditions that must be met.

• Keeping bees or chickens also requires registration with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

102
Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Stormwater Management Plan/Erosion and Sediment Control Plan

Responsible Agency: Department of Public Works/ 

 Division of Environmental Compliance and Laboratory Services

Key Information:

• Any project which involves land disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more or 100 cubic feet of volume 

requires a stormwater management and sediment and erosion control plans. http://cityservices.

baltimorecity.gov/dpw/generalservices/final_swm_manual.pdf 

• Disturbance of less than 5,000 square feet in area, but exceeding 100 cubic yards in disturbance 

volume (cut plus fill volumes), must still include sediment and erosion control plans.

• A licensed engineer is required to prepare stormwater management and erosion and sediment control 

plans.

• Agriculture may have different requirements; please contact the Department of Public Works and the 

Office of Compliance & Laboratories. http://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/Bureaus/WaterWastewater.

aspx

• Other permits or approvals, which may be required and are obtained directly from Department of 

General Services, including right-of-entry permits, easements, curb cuts, street closure permits, and 

utility agreements and permits. https://www.baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/

GeneralServices/PermitForms.aspx 

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Forest Conservation Easement

Responsible Agency: Office of Sustainability/Department of Planning

Key Information:

• Privately-owned forest patches can be put under a protected easement as part of the Forest 

Conservation Program

• Contact the Department of Planning for more information

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Memorandum of Understanding/Right-of-Entry (on park property)

Responsible Agency: Department of Recreation and Parks

Key Information:

• The Department of Recreation and Parks may need to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding 

(MOU) with any group or organization planning to improve or maintain City park land.

• The Department of Recreation and Parks would need to grant a right-of-entry to any group or 

organization planning to improve or maintain City park land.

Permit/Agreement/Regulation: Grading, Fencing or Paving Permits

Responsible Agency: Department of Housing and Community Development

Key Information:

• Must have written permission from property owner of right-of-entry (original signature required)

• See ePlans website for more information on when to apply online or when to apply over the counter.

103
Sample Adopt-a-Lot Agreement

For purposes of this license agreement, the community-managed open space must have a strong function in at least 

one community use, such as active recreation, passive recreation, food production, education, visual relief from the 

built environment, or gathering space for formal or informal community gatherings. Environmental benefits (such as 

absorbing rainwater, providing habitat for migratory birds, and reducing “food miles”) and livability benefits (such as 

elimination of blight or crime reduction) enhance the site’s attractiveness as community managed open space. 

An Adopt-A-Lot license CANNOT be used for parking

An Adopt-A-Lot license is a temporary agreement to steward a City-owned lot. While the City may not immediately intend 

to dispose of the properties included in this agreement, redevelopment opportunities may become available in the 

future. As such, the City discourages significant investments in the lots by LICENSEEs, encourages LICENSEEs to consider 

the possibility of lost investment in the event a purchaser of the lot is found, and prohibits a LICENSEE from installing 

permanent landscaping (ex. orchards, tree farms) without the express, prior, written permission of the City. If the City 

receives an application to purchase the property, the LICENSEE will be notified and given an opportunity to bid. 

The City of Baltimore, by and through the Department of Housing and Community Development (hereinafter referred 

to as “the City”), as owner of property as listed above, grants this agreement executed on the date indicated on the 

signature page hereof and covering the use of the unimproved property from [START DATE] to [EXPIRATION DATE] for the 

purpose of permitting [LICENSEE], its contractors and assigns, (hereinafter referred to as “the LICENSEE”) to enter upon 

the subject site for use as a community managed open space, which may include installation of an underground hydrant 

for water access.

The LICENSEE agrees to enter upon the subject site to conduct approved activities under the following terms and 

conditions:

1. The LICENSEE agrees to return one signed copies of this License Agreement via postal mail, electronic mail or 

facsimile. 

2. The LICENSEE shall install a prominently placed sign identifying the site as an adopted lot. 

3. The LICENSEE shall obtain any and all permits or approvals required by the City to perform any and all operations to 

be performed and shall pay any and all fees and charges due to and collected by the City pursuant to the issuance of 

any such permits and approvals.

4. The LICENSEE further agrees and understands that the installation of any landscaping may not impede or obstruct 

pedestrian traffic or create a hazardous condition for vehicular traffic. The City requires a LICENSEE who will be digging 

on the site to contact Miss Utility at 800-257-7777 to determine if any utility lines exist underground.

5. The LICENSEE agrees to save and hold harmless the City against any and all liability in any way connected with or 

arising from the activities carried on at the above captioned property (hereinafter the “Property”) or the use of the 

Property, including the maintenance of sidewalks abutting the Property.

6. The LICENSEE affirmatively states that it has done nothing prior to the execution of this agreement (whether within 

the period of the agreement or prior thereto), or it has done any act, caused to be done any act, or knows of any act 

which would give any rise to any claim by it or any third party against the City. 

7. The LICENSEE agrees and understands that the unimproved lot that is provided by the CITY on a “where is” and “as 

is” basis; no representations nor warranties whatsoever, either expressly stated or implied, are given by the CITY to 

the LICENSEE, and the LICENSEE agrees that during the term of this License agreement it will be responsible for any 

damages whatsoever which may be caused on the lot.

8. The LICENSEE agrees and understands that the unimproved lot that is provided by the CITY in this Agreement on a 

temporary basis may have redevelopment potential. In the event of a redevelopment opportunity, LICENSEE agrees 

and understands that the City will review such applications and the LICENSEE will be given an opportunity to submit a 

competing offer.

9. The LICENSEE agrees and understands that the installation of any permanent landscaping/design is prohibited 

without the express, prior, written permission of the City. For purposes of this agreement, permanent landscaping/

design includes, but is not limited to orchards, tree farms and murals. 

10. The LICENSEE agrees that this License is granted by the CITY on the condition that the LICENSEE assumes full 

104
responsibility for keeping the lot in a good, clean and orderly condition, free of hazards, and that any improvements 

made to the lot will be made at no cost to the CITY. 

11. The LICENSEE agrees and understands that the LICENSEE must notify the City in writing (via postal mail, electronic 

mail or facsimile) of any grant funding the LICENSEE intends to seek, and obtain written approval from the City prior to 

applying for said funding.

12. The LICENSEE understands and agrees that the CITY will not reimburse the LICENSEE for any improvements of any 

kind, either temporary or permanent (if approved by the City), in the event the CITY shall terminate this agreement for 

any reason whatsoever.

13. The LICENSEE further expressly agrees for itself, and where applicable, for its officers, members, employees and 

agents to save and hold harmless the CITY, its elected and appointed officials and its employees from any claims or 

liability of whatsoever kind and by whomsoever brought against the CITY, its elected and appointed officials and its 

employees in connection with this License.

14. The LICENSEE further agrees and understands that limited permission is granted for the installation of temporary 

structures ancillary to approved community open space activities. These structures include, but are not limited to 

garden sheds, picnic tables, benches and portable canopies.

15. The LICENSEE further understands and agrees that should the CITY require the property for any purpose, the CITY 

may, at its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days written notice. However, if the community space 

is being used as a garden, discretion will be used to ensure that said termination will not take place during the growing 

season to allow the LICENSEE time to harvest.

16. The LICENSEE further understands that should the CITY receive any information indicating that the vacant lot is 

being used in a manner not consistent with the terms of this agreement, the CITY may, at its sole discretion, terminate 

this Agreement on five (5) days written notice.

17. The LICENSEE further understands that (if applicable) should the CITY receive any information indicating that the 

water service that is being provided on the lot specifically for garden use is not being properly maintained and/or is 

being used in a manner not consistent with the terms of this agreement, the CITY may, at its sole discretion, terminate 

this Agreement on five (5) days written notice.

18. Upon expiration, this License is renewable for up to five years by submitting an Adopt-A-Lot application on the 

following website: http://www.baltimorehousing.org/adopt_a_lot_form.aspx Renewal applications are subject to 

review, and if approved a new license agreement will be issued.

19. The LICENSEE understands and agrees that any improvements to the lot shall conform to all applicable laws, rules 

and regulations.

20. The LICENSEE further agrees and understands that the CITY is providing the use of this property to the LICENSEE 

under a license or permissive use agreement and no fee charge of any kind is involved in the acceptance. 

21. The LICENSEE covenants that when performing any work on the lot, including but not limited to construction, 

planting or maintenance, that it shall exercise due diligence and reasonable care.

By signing this Adopt-A-Lot License on this ________ day of ______________________ in the space provided, [LICENSEE], 

its contractors and assigns, acknowledges its acceptance of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE

_______________________________________

Julia Day, Deputy Commissioner Date

DHCD- Land Resources

 

[LICENSEE]

________________________________________

Authorized Representative (SIGN) Date

________________________________________

Authorized Representative (PRINT) Date

 [EMAIL] [PHONE]

105

CONTACT FOR VACANT MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL 

(MCC) PROPERTY:

Anika Middleton

Asset Manager

Land Resources Division

Department of Housing and Community Development

417 E. Fayette Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

443-984-3136

anika.middleton@baltimorecity.gov
Maintenance

106

MAINTENANCE 

WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY? 

[ CITY AGENCIES ) [ CDC/ COMMUNITY ) 

[ CDC/ COMMUNITY ) 

[ NGO/ FAITH-BASED ) 

[ PRIVATE BUSINESS l [ NGO/ FAITH-BASED ) 

( CITY AGENCIES ) 

( NGO/ FAITH-BASED l 

MAINTENANCE NEEDS/ REQUIREMENTS 

CLEAN AND GREEN 

• Grass areas require regular mowing during the growing season, and trash collection will be needed throughout

the year.

• Creating a clear y defined edge for no-mowareas or meadows will help the site look purposeful and wellmaintained.

• Maintenance might be contracted to a nonprofit such as Parks & People Foundation or Civic Works) as part of

job training.

COMMUNITY-MANAGED OPEN SPACE 

• Maintenance is the responsibility of the community group that has adopted the site.• The types of planting (lawn, flowers, vegetable gardens, etc) need to be considered in relation to the

community's ability for maintenance.

• Sites connected to an active neighborhood association or local institution such as a house of worship will often

have a broader base of volunteers to tap into for care and maintenance.

• Periodic review should take place to check that the site is still functioning as a CMOS.

URBAN AGRICULTURE 

• Where urban agricultural sites are leased from the City for the purpose of farming, maintenance responsibilities

will be that of the individual or group leasing the property, as spelled out in the lease agreement.

• Some farm sites may involve the community in the production and maintenance of the site through community

engagement activities, jobs training programs, or by employing local residents.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT 

• Regular maintenance is required for stormwaterfacilities to function as designed. Depending on the project,

maintenance may include mulching, weeding, pruning vegetation, and removing trash and debris.

• Maintenance of stormwater management facilities could be undertaken as part of a jobs training program.

• Organizations or communities implementing stormwater projects should not assume that City agencies will

perform maintenance activities unless such an agreement has been made in writing.
107

MAINTENANCE 

WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY? ( CITY AGENCIES ) 

( PRIVATE BUSINESS l 

( NGO/ FAITH-BASED l ( CDC/ COMMUNITY l 

( CDC/ COMMUNITY l 

( CITY AGENCIES ) 

( CDC/ COMMUNITY ) ( CITY AGENCIES l 

MAINTENANCE NEEDS/ REQUIREMENTS 

GREEN PARKING 

• Parking areas created within a right-of-way are maintained by the City.

••

Parking areas created on City-owned vacant lots are the responsibility of the group adopting the space and/

or implementing the improvements. Maintenance responsibilities are included in the Adopt-A-Lotagreement or lease for the site.

Pervious pavement surfaces, such as pervious pavers, pervious asphalt, or pervious concrete, require

regu al r maintenance, including twice yearly vacuuming, so they will continue to function as designed. These

surfaces are discouraged for parking areas to be maintained by the community. Gravel is a less

maintenance-intensive surface for parking.

• Grass areas require regular mowing during the growing season, and trash collection will be needed throughout

the year.

URBAN FORESTS AND BUFFERS 

• How the site will be maintainedas well as whowould provide maintenance will determine thedensityof 

planting, typesoftrees, and understory / groundcover.

• Tree spacing should be considered {20 feet on centerrecommended).

• Groundcovers thatrequiredminimal maintenance, such as clover, is recommended, with "nomow" areas as 

options in later years.

• Trees will also need maintenance-pruning, limbing-upof the branches, and the removal of any deadtrees.

• Access to wateris critical - this could be similar to the system developedto provide wateraccess to community 

gardens. D etermine who will water the trees in the early years. 

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS 

• Initially, neighborhood park sites may be maintained by DPW as a Clean and Green site.

• While the park is being established, fencing may be needed to deter dumping; consider wrought ironor wood

rail fencing.

• Neighborhood park sites transferred to Baltimore City Recreation and Parks will be maintained by the

Department of Recreation and Parks

• If the community is interested inassisting with maintenance, partnership agreements or MOU s as a "Friends of

Park" group should be considered.
• See what others have done

• Get ideas

• Network with others who have been

successful with similar projects

Visit similar 

projects

• If a site is City-owned, determine if it

is available for adoption

• If a site is privately owned,

determine how to contact the

owner

Determine 

ownership

Identify and 

evaluate 

potential sites

Secure access 

to the site

• Talk to neighbors, community

members; gather interested

volunteers and support for the

project

• Hold a visioning session to

gather ideas and identify

potential resources

• Consider how the site

conditions might influence the

project

Develop 

a vision 

for the 

project

Develop 

a 

concept 

plan

• Assemble the

materials and

tools needed

• Hold a volunteer

work day

Construct 

the 

project

Complete 

the 

project

I know what I want to 

do. How do I find a site 

to get started?

I have a site that I want 

to green. How do I 

figure out what to do 

with it?

I have an idea and

have selected and 

secured a site. How 

do I create a plan to 

implement my idea?

I have an idea, a 

site, and a plan . 

How do I go about 

implementing it?

Steps for getting started

108
•Evaluate the site against your Green Pattern's

Site Selection Criteria

•Determine if water access is available

•Determine ownership

•Test soils to evaluate soil safety

•Talk to surrounding neighbors/community

about your potential plans for the sites

•Talk to surrounding neighbors/community

about your potential plans to use the site

•For city-owned sites, adopt, lease, or purchase

the site

•For privately-owned sites, see the "Self-Help

Nuisance Abatement" guide provided by the

Community Law Center

•For city-owned sites, enter an Adopt-A-lot,

lease, or purchase agreement to secure

access to the site

•For privately-owned sites, see the "Self-Help

Nuisance Abatement" guide provided by the

Community Law Center

Select a site 

and secure 

access

•Evaluate the conditions of the site against

the Site Selection Criteria for the different

Green Patterns to determine which patterns

are most suitable for your site

•Test the soils to evaluate soil safety

•Determine if water access is available

Evaluate the 

site

Begin 

planning 

the 

project

• Determine where things will go

on the site

• For complex projects, consider a

phasing plan to implement the

project over time

• Consider the maintenance

requirements for the proposed

project to make sure your group

has the capacity and resources to

maintain the completed project

• Refine the concept plan in

enough detail that it can be built

• Identify the materials and tools

needed

• Identify the labor, technical

support, and volunteers needed

• Secure the financing and other

resources needed

• Develop a schedule

• Secure any permits needed

Plan for 

implementation

Begin 

constructing 

the project

• Clean up any leftover construction

materials or trash

• Get any final

approvals required

as part of permits

• Let others know about your

project

• Hold an event or gathering to

celebrate

• Continue to recruit volunteers

and support to continue

maintaining the space and

implementing additional phases

• Maintain a good relationship with

the community

Celebrate 

your 

success 

and keep 

it going

Maintain 

the 

project 

and enjoy 

the green 

space

109106
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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 

regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in 

or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, 

religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 

status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal 

or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all 

bases apply to all programs).Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., 

Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay 

Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 

AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office 

or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. 

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to 

USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.

intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Printed on Recycled Paper
GROWING GREEN INITIATIVE

GREEN PATTERN BOOK

USING VACANT LAND TO CREATE GREENER 

NEIGHBORHOODS IN BALTIMORE