CA Monthly May 2015 by Columbia Association

Monthly CA A PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION

CA’s Grass, Paths Prepared for Spring and Summer by

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MAY 2015

KidsDay Returns June 6 Active Transportation Action Agenda Helps Improve CA’s Pathways CA Releases Third Quarter Finance Report

Open Space Management By Tripp Laino

Photos BY david wright

Members of CA’s Open Space Management team, above and right, plant trees at Locust Park Neighborhood Center.

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ith more than 3,600 acres of open space and 94 miles of pathways to take care of, spring and summer marks a particularly busy time for Columbia Association’s Open Space teams. “This is when we really start ramping up spring cleanup at our facilities,” Sean Harbaugh, CA’s assistant division director of Open Space Management, said. “It’s spring and everything’s getting green, so we’re doing prep at facilities, moving dead leaves and old mulch, as well as perennial and shrub pruning.” Working behind the scenes in maintenance, landscaping and other duties, the team of about 60 staff members from CA’s Open Space and Landscape crews, plus some contractors, help to keep CA’s open space in good condition for

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(See Open Space, page 6)

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Pinterest.com/ColumbiaAssn C A M O N T H LY 1

CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015 Reginald Avery Oakland Mills 443-545-6714 Reginald.Avery@ca-board.org Michael Cornell River Hill 410-531-9340 Michael.Cornell@ca-board.org Brian Dunn Kings Contrivance 301-473-0077 Brian.Dunn@ca-board.org Jeanne Ketley Town Center 301-596-1097 Jeanne.Ketley@ca-board.org Alan Klein Harper’s Choice 410-992-3025 Alan.Klein@ca-board.org Nancy McCord Wilde Lake 410-730-2309 Nancy.McCord@ca-board.org Tom O’Connor Dorsey’s Search 410-336-9269 Tom.OConnor@ca-board.org Gregg Schwind Hickory Ridge 443-831-8847 Gregg.Schwind@ca-board.org Andrew Stack Owen Brown 410-381-8897 Andrew.Stack@ca-board.org Russell Swatek Long Reach 410-799-1497 Russell.Swatek@ca-board.org Note: This is as of April 20; CA Monthly went to press before the April 25 elections

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Letter from Long Reach

Long Reach Village Center Renewal By Russ Swatek

between CA and the county. A team of consultants analyzed the current Columbia’s Downtown is economic conditions and suggested beginning to take shape. New potential opportunities for buildings are being constructed. Columbia’s village centers. That Plans for the Crescent area were study included a separate appendix approved by the county Planning for Long Reach. Board. Unfortunately, Hopefully, the study will some of Columbia’s help guide discussions village centers are lagging going forward regarding behind. the limits of what is Wilde Lake is an feasible and what might exception. Its renovation simply be wishful yet is underway, though only unrealistic thinking. after lengthy and The county government contentious meetings is in the process of putting about that village center’s Russ Swatek together a renewal plan. future. Long Reach Village Once that is approved by Center, meanwhile, is next in the County Council, the government line. Howard County Government would then request proposals from declared the center to be a blighted the private sector for bringing the area; this was a necessary step in plan to fruition. The county is enabling the county to purchase a holding four public meetings that majority of the property and jumpwill provide information to Long start the revitalization process. Reach residents while seeking their There’s now more information input for the plan. The second available than when Wilde Lake’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday, redevelopment began, thanks to a May 28, from 7-9pm at Stonehouse, village center market study 8775 Cloudleap Court in the completed under a partnership

Long Reach Village Center. The county doesn’t own the entire village center. There are also smaller privately owned parcels. CA owns Stonehouse, which is the village community center, and the Columbia Art Center. Any plan put forward will take into consideration the concerns of CA and the other parcel owners, as well as village residents. I am looking forward to CA participating fully in these upcoming discussions to achieve the best possible results for Long Reach’s residents. On that note, I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve my community during these last two years and have learned so much about what CA is and has to offer. Unfortunately, distant family obligations require an increasing amount of my time, so I need to move on. The elections held in late April will bring a new representative from Long Reach. Thank you all, Russ Swatek

Revitalizing Long Reach Village Center oward County Executive Allan H. Kittleman, along with the Long Reach Village Board, has scheduled meetings to seek input from residents about the revitalization of the Long Reach Village Center. Sessions will be held from 7-9pm at Stonehouse in the Village Center on May 28, June 11 and Sept. 17. Howard County Government acquired the majority of the Village Center property in October 2014 and purchased the former Safeway site in February 2015. The county will develop a revitilization plan,

then seek private developers to purchase the center and implement the plan. Each meeting will allow time for presentations as well as comments and questions from those attending. For more information, visit the Long Reach Village Center redevelopment page on the county’s website at howardcountymd.gov/LongReach or contact Mark Thompson, Director of Downtown Redevelopment at 410-313-2350 or mthompson@ howardcountymd.gov.

KidsDay

Offers Family-Friendly Fun for Everyone

ummer might not officially start until June 21 by some counts, but CA is kicking things off early with the annual KidsDay celebration on Saturday, June 6. “Summer with CA is indeed our best time of the year,” said Erin McPhail, CA’s communications and events manager. “KidsDay kicks off our family friendly events for the summer. We have something for everyone to enjoy, plus some good prizes, fun and food!” The free annual event is open to the public, from 10am-2pm at Columbia SportsPark, 5453 Harpers Farm Road. Activities include all-you-can-bat sessions at the batting cages and Mini-golf, free for kids 13 and under; teens and parents can

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“KidsDay kicks off our family friendly events for the summer. We have something for everyone to enjoy, plus some good prizes, fun and food!” Erin McPhail, CA’s communications and events manager

participate for a small fee ($5 for one activity, $7 for both). Other free activities include a moonbounce, Zumba® for Kids, and arts and crafts. KidsDay also features a photo booth, face painting, animal balloons, dancing, raffles and more. “I absolutely love any opportunity to meet members of our community during CA events, and provide them with an avenue

Board Recap

t the Columbia Association Board of Directors meeting held April 9, CA’s Board approved staff’s recommendation for repairs to preserve the Swim Center and a recommendation to replace SplashDown, with directions to staff to explore other configurations for the slide landing or otherwise replace with the same. The board also approved appointments to the Architectural Resource Committee for FY16 and a recommendation from general counsel

Face painting is just one of many great family-friendly activities at KidsDay.

to enjoy what’s really most important to all of us — good quality family time,” McPhail said. “I hope everyone can make it out to KidsDay on June 6th!” Parents and kids can also learn more about CA’s youth programs, classes, camps and other special

offers from various departments. It also includes a variety of activities for the whole family. Food and beverages are available for purchase. For more information, visit ColumbiaAssocation.org or call 410-423-1891.

to release closed meeting minutes. Additionally, board members approved a letter urging the Inner Arbor Trust to take all necessary steps to complete construction on projects that have been approved by summer 2016, including the new pathways; provide the public with a timeline for completion of its first project and a second timeline with estimated dates for the completion of subsequent projects; and an appointment of a Long Reach representative to the Watershed Advisory Committee, among other actions. The board’s April 23 meeting took place after CA Monthly went to press. The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings are May 14 and 28. Meetings typically begin at 7:30pm and are held at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle. For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Agendas. Podcasts from board meetings are available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts. C A M O N T H LY 3

2015

CA RELEASES THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR

olumbia Association completed three quarters of Fiscal Year 2015 $4.3 million over the budgeted increase in net assets for the same period. Total income of nearly $58 million was slightly under budget for the period, and approximately $1.2 million, or 2.2 percent higher than the same period in FY14. Total operating expenses of $43.3 million were 9.8 percent below budget, and essentially flat compared to the same period last year. Three quarters of the way through this fiscal year, CA anticipates ending FY15 with an increase in net assets of about $5 million. Financial highlights from several of CA’s department and division directors are below.

Sport and Fitness The division completed the period $238,000 and 7.5 percent better than budget, but is 4.3 percent behind FY14. It is expected that Sport and Fitness will be $764,000 below budget for the year, due primarily to the impact on fee income from the delayed opening of Haven on the Lake and the construction of the Hobbit’s Glen Golf clubhouse, among other initiatives. Highlights from the third quarter included the opening of Haven on the Lake in January, hiring 475 outdoor pool lifeguards and restructuring the Personal Training department after hiring three fitness supervisors. Additionally, Supreme Sports Club saw its heaviest use on record with more than 3,000 visits in a 24-hour period.

Community Services The Community Services Division finished the third quarter $488,000 ahead of budget, and expects to finish the year $219,000 ahead of budget. The positive variance is partially due to writing off $190,000 of fee-related expenses in the first quarter, related to the State of Maryland assigning a $190,000 bond bill grant from CA to Inner Arbor Trust Inc. for the design and construction of Symphony Woods Park. The third quarter subsidy from the annual charge helps support CA programs including: the Columbia Archives, the Sister Cities program, Art Center, and Youth and Teen Center. It also provides support to the village associations in the amount of $4,218,000 for various village projects and community centers. Communications and Marketing The communications and marketing team had many successful media campaigns, including

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articles about the “Columbia It Is” exhibit at the Columbia Archives, the Lake Kittamaqundi pathway loop and the CA budget hearing, among others. Press pick-up included the Associated Press, Columbia Flier and Baltimore Sun, among others. The team communicated with the public and CA members via email, social media campaigns (including the launch of a Pinterest page), publications and video packages. The team also implemented a new eNewsletter, CA Monthly Digest, which goes to all members and all other email addresses associated with CA. On the branding front, new signs are being created to highlight areas where CA has work in progress from the Open Space team and Columbia Matters Radio was launched March 1 in partnership with HCC radio. Community Building and Open Space The Community Building and Open Space Service Bureau completed the third quarter of FY15 nearly $2.1 million better than budget, and essentially even as compared to the same period in FY14. Noteworthy accomplishments during the third quarter included completion of the Columbia Market Study final report, which identifies current market conditions and future potential opportunities for Columbia’s village centers, and the relationship of the centers to other areas in Columbia; presentations to various organizations, including Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy, Chesapeake Executive Council’s Citizen Advisory Committee and 20th Annual Maryland Water Monitoring Council; monitored planning and land use development initiatives in Columbia; and updates to the online Planning and Development Tracker.

Connecting

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Extending the Reach of our

Communities’ Pathways

etting outside for a hike or leisurely stroll is simple thanks to Columbia Association's 94 miles of networked pathways and CA’s Active Transportation Action Agenda aims to improve that network. In the two years since the Active Transportation Action Agenda, informally known as Connecting Columbia, was approved by Columbia Association’s Board of Directors, CA has completed more than two dozen recommended projects aimed at providing a more connected Columbia for pedestrians and cyclists. The action agenda aims to improve and expand the pathway network’s infrastructure by connecting key destinations for pedestrians and bicyclists, develop pathway principles and design guidelines and to educate and encourage people to use them. Unfamiliar with navigating Columbia? Columbia Association: Pathways app is available on iOS and Android, and puts access to all other amenities right in your pocket. Features include a compass

tool, GPS point location and line distances. Users can also find more information about village centers and facilities by clicking appropriate icons. Printed maps are available for a small fee; visit your village community center or the Customer and Membership Service Center at CA’s headquarters for a copy. Improving the pathway network In the last year, several significant accomplishments have come through, highlighted by the completion of the Lake Kittamaqundi pathway loop, which meets CA’s new 10-foot width standard for primary pathways. The 10-foot width aligns with national standards for multi-use pathways. CA will also begin implementation of new pathway bridges in 2015 to meet this new 10-foot wide standard, starting with the bridge from Vantage Point to Lake Kittamaqundi. Others widened to meet this standard include Oakland Mills Road to Lake Elkhorn and the pathway intersection at Little

Photo BY J.M. Eddins Jr.

CA's 94 miles of pathways offer opportunities for family recreation and fitness.

Patuxent Parkway and Vantage Point Road to Lake Kittamaqundi. CA also partnered with Howard County Government, providing easements to allow the construction of the Blandair Park to Howard County General Hospital pathway to be completed. CA continued implementation of its pathway signage program this

year including signage from Lake Elkhorn to Maryland Rt. 108 and to Stevens Forest Neighborhood Center, designed to help users navigate the pathways more easily. 2014 marked the first year of pedestrian and bicycle counts, which counted use at key pathway (See Pathway, page 7) C A M O N T H LY 5

Open Space (continued from page 1)

residents to enjoy all year long, but things get a little hectic when the world begins to bloom. Crews plant tens of thousands of flowers around CA facilities, as well as locations near welcome signs and village signs. The teams are also preparing to provide support for CA and community events like Dog Day Afternoon, KidsDay and Lakefront Wednesday Lunchtime Concert Series. Another major aspect of care is mowing the grass, which is a bit more strenuous than home lawn care, given the large amount of grass to maintain. CA’s mowers and landscaping equipment pull double duty: in the winter, they’re outfitted with plows to help clear snow, and they’re switched over to mowing in April. “This year and last year gave us quite a bit of a curveball with how late it snowed,” Harbaugh said. “The timing has been a challenge, but our guys do a fantastic job of keeping our grounds in good operating condition.” Mowing at CA includes all of our

facilities, park areas, pathways and certain neighborhood areas, Harbaugh said. CA’s facilities are mowed weekly, and the neighborhood open space areas on a biweekly basis. While winter weather provides unique challenges for staff, summer is not without its own challenges. Thunderstorms bring high winds and rain which bring down tree limbs and cause other damage. Crews search for and remove downed limbs around facilities and pathways after storms. If the damaged tree is around a facility, it gets removed, but in open space areas, the trees are sometimes downed and moved to areas free of pedestrians, Harbaugh said. CA receives calls from the community that let them know about debris or other conditions, if they occur. If you see an area of concern on CA property, call 410-312-6330 or email Open.Space@ ColumbiaAssociation.org. “People are coming out of hibernation and they tend to visit the outdoor areas more now,” he said. “With almost 4,000 acres of property, and 94 miles of paths, there’s certainly a lot to explore and enjoy.”

Partner of the Year Award for CA CA has received an ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for our work promoting energy efficiency in Columbia! For more than two years CA has promoted the use of ENERGY STAR products and greater participation in all ENERGY STAR and associated BGE Smart Energy Savers programs. CA was selected based our numerous community engagement activities including developing and promoting energy education videos and implementing our home energy efficiency upgrade cooperative. The awards for 2015 recognize 128 of the 16,000 active ENERGY STAR partners and CA is only the seventh organization in Maryland to win the award.

SUNSET COMMUNITY YOGA 6:30-7:30pm

Haven on the Lake and Whole Foods Present Outdoor

June-September

Free outdoor yoga classes will be held every second Sunday June through September, 6:30-7:30pm. Please contact Haven on the Lake 410-715-3020 for more information. Pre-registration is required. Check-in will occur day of event.

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Pathway (continued from page 5)

intersections. The 2015 counts will take place from May 23-30. Awareness and education In addition to maintenance and new projects, CA worked to improve awareness and education for pathway and roadway users. Projects included organizing an ad hoc committee that made recommendations to the county to develop a share the pathway and road civility education campaign; and partnering with the Horizon Foundation to host transportation and urban design expert Mark Fenton as part of CA’s Community Building Speaks Series. CA partnered with Howard County Government in several ways, including advocating for new pathway connections: a proposed sidewalk along McGaw Road and Dobbin Road to Oakland Mills Road; and a multi-use pathway along the west side of Cedar Lane between Harper’s Choice Village Center and Howard County General Hospital to connect to the planned pathway between Blandair Park and the hospital. CA staff worked with Howard

County’s Department of Planning and Zoning to highlight intersections in need of safety improvements. Howard County Government was also a partner in a pair of feasibility studies, a potential pathway extension from Lake Kittamaqundi to the existing Patuxent Branch Trail of about three miles, and a grant-funded study on the feasibility of a bike-share

In the two years since Connecting Columbia was approved by CA’s Board of Directors, CA has completed more than two dozen recommended projects aimed at providing a more connected Columbia for pedestrians and cyclists. program. The study found that a bikeshare is feasible and recommended a pilot program in central Columbia. Additionally, this summer, the Howard County Police Department’s Community Outreach Division will have a squad of officers designated to patrol the pathways by bicycle. For more information about Connecting Columbia, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/ ConnectingColumbia.

Columbia Association Announces New Radio Partner

olumbia Matters Radio is a new, fast-paced 30-minute program about Columbia Association and its partners produced by CA and Howard Community college. Its hosts are Mary Weeks, the producer of Columbia Matters TV and Cris Oviedo, an HCC alum, and HCC Radio’s program director. Columbia Matters Radio airs on HCC Radio on Sundays at 1:30pm and Mondays at 9:30am. Listen in via howardcc.edu/hccradio. Log on to SoundCloud.com/ColumbiaAssn to listen anytime.

CA PHONE NUMBERS CA Headquarters .........................................410-715-3000 CA Membership Service Center.................410-730-1801 Aquatics Office ............................................410-312-6332 Columbia Art Center....................................410-730-0075 Columbia Association Camps ....................410-715-3165 Columbia Athletic Club ...............................410-730-6744 Columbia Gym.............................................410-531-0800 Columbia Horse Center...............................301-776-5850 Columbia Ice Rink.......................................410-730-0322 Columbia SportsPark/SkatePark................410-715-3054 Columbia Swim Center...............................410-730-7000 Columbia Teen Center ................................410-992-3726 Fairway Hills Golf Club...............................410-730-1112 Haven on the Lake ......................................410-715-3020 Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club...............................410-730-5980 Inclement Weather Hotline ........................410-715-3154 Indoor Tennis, Columbia Athletic Club........410-720-0149 Owen Brown Tennis Bubble........................410-381-7255 The Racquet Club at Hobbit’s Glen ............410-715-3080 School Age Services ...................................410-715-3164 Supreme Sports Club..................................410-381-5355 Wilde Lake Tennis Club .............................410-730-3767

C A M O N T H LY 7

May Community Events

Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn more about great events happening in Columbia!

Harper’s Choice Red Ribbon Yard Sale

Town Center Creating Columbia Mini Course

Long Reach Village Yard Sale

Faculty/Student Annual Exhibition

Sat. May 2 • 8am-Noon Harpers’s Choice Village Contact Susan Coghlan, 410-730-0770 events@harperschoice.org Visit harperschoice.org for a map of participating streets.

Thu. May 7 and Thu. May 14 • 7pm Historic Oakland • 410-715-3103 5430 Vantage Point Road ColumbiaMiniCourse.eventbrite.com Discover highlights of the work that went into the early planning of Columbia.

Sat. May 16 Long Reach Village • 410-730-8113

Shred & eCycle Event

Snow White presented by Kaydee Puppets

May 14 - June 21 Reception: Tue. May 19 • 5:30-7:30pm 6100 Foreland Garth • 410-730-0075 Features a variety of art created by instructors and students of Columbia Art Center. Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.org ColumbiaArtCenter.org

Sat. May 2 • 9am-1pm Location: The parking lot between Kahler Hall and the Bain Center Contact Susan Coghlan, 410-730-0770 events@harperschoice.org • Limit three bags/small boxes of material for shredding. Visit harperschoice.org for eCycling information and restrictions.

River Hill Pull and Plant Sun. May 3 • 10am-1pm Meet at the Columbia Gym 6151 Day Long Lane, Clarksville Pull more invasive species near the big pond by the Columbia Gym. We’ll also replace them with native plants.

Afternoon Tea Sun. May 3 • 3:30-5pm Historic Oakland Manor, 5430 Vantage Point Road • 410-730-4744 Cost $28 plus tax per person Reservations and payment required three days in advance.

Long Reach Master Gardener: Creating an Outdoor Garden Space/Room Tue. May 5 • 7pm Stonehouse • 8775 Cloudleap Court 410-730-8113

Kings Contrivance Flower Transfer Coffee and Bagel Event Thu. May 7 • 10-11:30am Kings Contrivance Community Association • Amherst House 7251 Eden Brook Drive • 410-381-9600 Make a card and a piece of fabric using flower transfer! Bagels and coffee provided. Please call to RSVP. KC residents only.

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Fri. May 8 • 10am Rainbow Theatre at Slayton House 10400 Cross Fox Lane • $5 Contact Carol Hobelmann events@wildelake.org

The Bernice Kish Gallery May 14 - June 9 Reception: Sat. May 16 • 2-4pm 10400 Cross Fox Lane • 410-730-3987 Gallery hours: Mon.-Thu.: 9am-9pm; Fri.: 9am-5pm; Sat.: 9am-2pm gallery@wildelake.org Jerry Prettyman “Contemporary Images” April Rimpo “Exploring Cultures through Color” Floyd Roberts, Sculpture Carole Black, Gallery Director

Hickory Ridge Flea Market Sat. May 9 • 8am-Noon The Hawthorn Center 6175 Sunny Spring Antiques, clothes, craft items and business products from a range of sellers.

Owen Brown Community Yard Sale Sat. May 16 • 8am-3pm Neighborhoods in Owen Brown with Red Ribbons • 410-381-0202 Please visit our community yard sale. All participating streets will have a red ribbon tied to their street sign. Visit owenbrownvillage.org to see participating streets.

River Hill RideAbout

Columbia Art Center Family Art Frenzy Sun. May 17 • 1-3pm Come and enjoy a free family friendly art activity! 6100 Foreland Garth • 410-730-0075 Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.org ColumbiaArtCenter.org

Art in the Afternoon with John Milton Wesley Sun. May 17 • 3-5pm Historic Oakland Manor • 410-730-4744 5430 Vantage Point Road Take an enlightening journey through African-American history with the eclectic musical offerings of longtime Columbia resident John Milton Wesley.

Sat. May 16 • 9:30 am River Hill Village Center 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville RiverHillRideAbout.eventbrite.com Free 2.8-mile self-guided ride on marked trail in River Hill. Perfect for young families1

Hickory Ridge Ice Cream Social Fri. May 29 • 7-8:30pm The Hawthorn Center • 6175 Sunny Spring Celebrate the start of summer with a big bowl of ice cream and toppings. $2 per person or $5 per family. No reservation necessary.

Hickory Ridge 50+ Lunch Thu. May 28 • 11:30am-1pm, The Hawthorn Center 6175 Sunny Spring Howard County Office of Tourism will encourage you to vacation in your own backyard with information on places to visit in Howard County. $5 per person. Call 410-730-7327 to reserve your spot.

Be Creatively Social at The Other Barn Thu. May 28 • 6:30-8:30pm Oakland Mills • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver Place events@oaklandmills.org/ oaklandmills.org $25/Advance reservation required by May 20; Includes wine, cheese, painting, supplies and canvas.

Save the date! Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club Clubhouse grand opening May 31. All are welcome.

River Hill Annual Flea Market Sun. June 7 • 10am-1pm River Hill Village Center parking lot 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville Shop for treasures! Household, antiques, books, furniture, toys, clothing, etc.