College Park’s Berwyn neighborhood may welcome a new nature park in the next few years.
A vacant, overgrown space on Roanoke Place is slated to become a serene pocket park with native plants and wildlife, according to Kelly Jordan, the co-president of the Berwyn District Civic Association.
The College Park City Council accepted a grant application for the park in mid-September in response to community input. The grant application will be reviewed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program. If approved, construction could begin in 2027.
“Where you have a public space that can be used to bring a number of people to the space and use it in a way that is beneficial, it helps to build that sense of community,” District 2 council member Llatetra Brown Esters told The Diamondback.
Esters said the land was originally purchased by the city from the College Park Volunteer Fire Department a few years ago and remains vacant.
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College Park’s planning and community development department received funding to figure out how the space could be used, according to Jordan. After finding that the area was in a floodplain with invasive species, they realized the land could not hold normal structures.
The civic association formed a committee for parks and open spaces about two years ago and worked with the city as they acquired this land and decided how to best use it, Jordan said. They conducted a survey to hear from Berwyn community members about what they should do with this area. The community decided on a nature wildlife park concept, according to Jordan.
“We really want the park to be used,” Jordan said. “We want it to be enjoyed by all the residents, so I think that kind of engagement is really important for making sure that we’re delivering the kinds of things that the residents want.”
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With bird and bat houses, pollinator plantings and plenty of green space, the Berwyn community’s vision offers a peaceful experience for citizens while promoting conservation efforts.
District 4 council member Maria Mackie told The Diamondback that the city tries to be mindful of its effect on the environment and its carbon footprint as officials attempt to lead Maryland conservation efforts.
While they have developed plans for this space, the park is on hold until fiscal year 2027, according to Jordan. The city must wait to hear back about the grant and wait for work finish on the Duvall Field renovation project. The park is projected to be completed by 2028.
Jordan said the civic association will likely be involved in maintaining the park after its eventual construction, including overseeing the removal of invasive plants, weeding and watering of the area.“The parks in Berwyn are near and dear to our hearts, and we want to make sure that everything is moving along and running smoothly,” Jordan said.
