QUARTERLY
Spring has Sprung in Ashburton!
This project is made possible through the support of the Mayor and the City of Baltimore. The CITY’s objectives of strengthening neighborhoods, building community, and attracting new residents, the CITY appropriated General Obligation Bonds and General Funds through Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Budget to support GRANTEE efforts, and desires to make funds available to support marketing and organizing projects.
Dear Ashburton Community,
Welcome to Spring. We look forward to seeing you at our first Spring meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Baltimore City Community College, 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue in the Nursing Building, located on the left as you enter the campus.
We are pleased to announce that the Ashburton Area Community Association has been awarded a $100,000 grant through the Pimlico Racetrack impact funds to enhance pedestrian lighting in our community. We will collaborate with the Department of Transportation to determine optimal locations for the new lighting. The Department of Transportation and Public Works are coordinating another walk with our community from Hilton to Wabash. TBA.
Additionally, we have received approval from the city to continue with our $30,000 grant to conduct community planning activities in partnership with Morgan State University. This year, we will host three charettes facilitated by students from the Morgan State University Architecture and Planning Department, where your input will be invaluable. These events will be hosted by three churches in our community. Dinner will be served. The following dates are confirmed:
1. May 6, 2025, 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3050 Liberty Heights Ave., Baltimore, 21215
2. June 17, 2025, 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Heritage United Church of Christ, 3106 Liberty Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD. 21215
At the April community meeting, we will present workshops and events scheduled for the remainder of the year. For those who signed up for trees, there will be workshops designed to help maintain healthy trees and bushes. The first such workshop held Saturday, March 29, 2025, was exciting. So many more to come. Those of you who have signed up for trees there will be a drawing at the meeting for white-glove treatment which means care will be provided to sustain your tree.
Lear more at our meeting about our weather station located on the grounds of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
Moreover, the April meeting will introduce a new workshop focused on home improvement and obtaining grants or loans, hosted by Veronica Owens. We encourage you to sign up, and there may even be some line dancing to kick off the event.
The Flea Market begins on April 26, 2025. More information to share at our upcoming community meeting.
One of our neighbors, Mia, has graciously agreed to host a session in her beautifully landscaped backyard and will share her landscaping tips. Some of you may be interested in growing food in your yards, experts will be on hand to share their advice. We invite you to join her and sign up.
We will streamline our reporting so that we can hear more from you!
gain, I looking forward to seeing you on April 15th.
Sincerely,
Ashburton Block Captains: The Eyes, Ears, and Voice of Our Community
Block Captains in the Ashburton Area Association serve as the eyes, ears, and voice for each part of our community. They help keep neighbors informed, share updates from city agencies, and bring attention to local concerns. Whether it’s organizing clean-ups, welcoming new residents, or building connections among neighbors, Block Captains play a vital role in keeping Ashburton strong, safe, and united.
We’re also working on several initiatives to strengthen communication and safety across our neighborhood:
• Ashburton Community App (Coming Soon):
A new tool to help residents stay connected, hare updates, report issues, and access r esources—all in one place.
• Community Patrol (Volunteers Wanted): We’re launching a voluntary community patrol to increase visibility, build relationships, and deter unwanted activity. If you’re interested in joining, let us know!
• Walk the Block Initiative: We are organizing regular walks throughout Ashburton to document neighborhood needs and communicate directly with our government representatives. Your voice matters—join us in making it heard.
Together, we’re working to make Ashburton a more connected, empowered, and responsive community.
For more info: Micah Hayden, 513-460-0479
Spring Into Spring with These Fun Workshops
Ashburton is hosting a series of hands-on, informative, and fun workshops this spring and throughout the fall. Led by a team of local experts, the workshops will cover everything you need to know to successfully plant and maintain trees right in your own yard or green space. Topics and dates for 2025 include:
• April 26:
Growing Trees from Scratch: From Seed to Sapling and Learning to Graft Trees
Explore the fascinating process of growing trees from seeds and learn essential techniques like grafting to enhance tree growth and resilience.
Led by Baltimore Tree Trust, Location: Mt. Zion UMC, 3050 Liberty Heights Ave.
• May 17:
Ashburton’s Ecosystem:
A Neighborhood Tree Tour
Take a guided tour of Ashburton’s vibrant neighborhood, discovering the diverse tree species and how they contribute to the local ecosystem.
Led by Maurice Ashby, Division Street Outdoor Contracting, Starting location: TBD.
• June 21:
Involving Kids in Tree Planting: Fun Ways to Get the Next Gen Growing
Engage children in the joy of tree planting through creative, hands-on activities that teach them the importance of trees and the environment.
Led by Maurice Ashby, Division Street Outdoor Contracting; Location (outdoors) @ Callaway & Dorchester
• September 27: Compost and Fertilizer 101: Nourishing Your Trees Naturally
Learn the basics of composting and natural fertilization techniques to promote healthy, thriving trees in your garden or yard.
Led by Maurice Ashby, Division Street Outdoor Contracting; Location: Mt. Zion UMC, 3050 Liberty Heights Ave.
Growing Abundance: Caring for Fruit Trees
Dive into the essentials of growing and maintaining fruitful trees, including proper pruning, pest management, and harvesting techniques to ensure a bountiful yield.
Led by Baltimore Orchard Project; Location (outdoors) @ Callaway & Dorchester
We encourage you to bring your family, friends, and neighbors to join in the fun! Sign up today online at www. ashburton1920.org.
Professors and students from Morgan State University’s school of Architecture and Planning provide the Ashburton Community with its own weather station.
Learn more at our community meeting at BCCC on Tuesday, April 15th, 6:30 pm
A Green Initiative to Beautify Your Yard
If you’ve been thinking about planting a tree but don’t know where to start, this is your chance to make it happen! There’s no cost to you—just sign up, and you’ll receive a tree for free, while adding a little more beauty to your home. To make it even better, you have a chance to win free professional planting services! By signing up, you’re automatically entered in a raffle and could be one of 10 lucky winners.
Getting your free tree and a chance to win white glove services is easy. Here’s how:
or Lawn
1. Sign up. Visit www.ashburton1920.org to claim your free tree. Be sure to sign up early, as trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Choose your tree. Select a tree from the flowering, shade, and fruit trees listed on the registration form.
3. Enter the raffle: By signing up, you’re automatically entered to win white glove planting services. Our team of experts will help you choose the best location, prepare the soil, plant the tree, and mulch it for you!
4. Get your tree. Trees will be available for pick-up on May 17, June 21, and September 27 at one of our white glove service locations. Lucky white glove service winners will have their trees delivered to them.
Our first three winners of white glove service where chosen, at random, last week at our first workshop. Congratulations to go Album Shen (Dorchester Rd), Tony Barnes (Copley Rd), and Deven Lobin (Hilton Rd)!
This campaign isn’t just about free trees—it’s about reducing energy costs with a shade tree, the satisfaction of enjoying fruit from a tree you planted, and the joy of creating a more beautiful living space. It’s an investment in the future, and it all starts with you!
Here is What’s Happening in Ashburton This Year...
This year we have an events-packed calendar in Ashburton meant to bring out our neighbors and celebrate our community. Although there are still a few dates to be nailed down, this year’s calendar promises to be an exciting and welcoming time!
You can always check out our website for updates and be sure to keep an eye out for our emails sent to your inbox with the most current up-dates!
30 Year Ashburton Planning Charettes
5/6, 6/17, & 3rd Date TBD
Mt. Zion, Heritage United, & Liberty
Liberty Heights Renewal- Charettes
4/30 - 6:00pm - BCCC - Arts Building
Back to School
TBD
Block Party 9/20- 3:00 PM
Board Meetings
5/20, 7/15, 9/16, 11/18, 1/20 - 6:30 PM
Earth Day - Mayor’s Trash Day 4/26 - 8:00 AM
Flea Market
3rd Saturday of the month - April - October
Garden Party 6/21 or 6/28
General Body Meetings
4/15, 6/17, 8/19, 10/21, 12/16 - 6:30 PM
BCCC - Nursing Building
Hanlon Park Grand Opening
Date TBD - Hanlon Park
National Night Out
8/5 - 6:00 PM
Weather / Tree Planting Workshops
4/26, 5/17, 6/21, 9/27, 10/25