The Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway Inc. is dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting and restoring the environment, history and culture of the Patapsco Valley between Daniels and Elkridge, Maryland.

Description:
The Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway Inc. are a group of people who are dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting and restoring the environment, history and culture of the Valley. Our members and volunteers are focusing our attention on cleaning up the Patapsco Valley area, focusing on cleanups along sections of the Patapsco River, as well as the streams that flow into the Patapsco River. We are looking for volunteers to help us with stream cleanups, tree plantings and invasive plant removal. We are also looking for a few special volunteers who enjoy hiking along the Patapsco River Valley waterways to be our "eyes and ears" to preserve and protect our natural resources and complete a short investigation form to monitor the health of the stream.

History:
The Friends of the Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway (FPVHG) have been working hard for more than a decade to preserve the Patapsco Valley’s culture, history, and environment. Below is a list of some of the accomplishments made possible by your support for our organization and its programs.

· In November 2006, A new pedestrian bridge was built over the Patapsco River, completing 1.25 mile Grist Mill Trail Extension, a multi-purpose trail that provides ADA accessible access into the Patapsco State Park from Ellicott City, Catonsville and other upstream communities for the first time since Agnes struck in June of 1972 and wiped out portions of River Road, eliminating the Howard County connection to the Park.

· In the Fall of 2003, the Grist Mill Trail opened near Ellicott City to enhance ADA- (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible recreational opportunities. This section connects the famed swinging bridge in the Avalon Area of the park to Lost Lake, a special fishing area for children under age 16, senior citizens and visitors with disabilities, and once a reservoir for the Avalon Iron and Nail Works and the Baltimore County Water Company.

· During 2007, FPVHG organized and conducted stream clean-ups throughout the Patapsco Valley:
• Over 71,272 pounds (35.6 tons) of trash removed
• 686 volunteers
• 30 separate clean ups
• 1,721 trash bags & separated large bulk trash/scrap metal items
• Estimated 2,009 volunteer hours

· During 2007, FPVHG organized and sponsored a tree planting in Baltimore County along the Grist Mill Trail in Patapsco Valley State Park, planting 50 new 5-foot trees covering 67,050 square feet (1.54 acres) of area. Our other partners include: Baltimore County D.E.P.R.M., Patapsco Valley State Park, and Tree-Mendous Maryland.

· For the past 8 years, the annual Garlic Mustard Challenge has been held in the Avalon/Glen Artney section of Patapsco Valley State. This one day, five hour educational event encompasses a challenge between groups of volunteers who pull out the invasive garlic mustard plant in Patapsco Valley State Park. After this two-hour volunteer activity, participants are treated to hands-on environmental displays, live music, history of the valley through stories/historians, old-fashioned picnic games (i.e., egg toss, sack races, etc.) and a scavenger hunt. The children’s “Villain of the Valley” poster contest is held, selecting the best poster that adequately depicts the problem of the invasive plant, as well as the popular Garlic Mustard Chef Challenge, where participants enter their best recipes using garlic mustard herb as one of the major ingredients. During 2007, we removed over one ton of the invasive garlic mustard weed in only two hours!!!

· In the fall 2006, several new interpretive signs were installed along the Grist Mill Trail adjacent to sites of historic interest, telling the story of the valley while providing a close-up view of its scenic beauty.

· Partnership with Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection & Natural Resources for environmental recons to determine the overall condition of the Patapsco watershed and potential projects for enhancement, active participation in Baltimore County’s Storm Water Action (SWAP) Program involving community support, as well as creation of new Stream Watch Program..

· Past sponsorship of “Greenway Guides,” a volunteer program of nature and history guided walks.

· Past sponsorship of “Story Circles,” a highly praised program that captures and preserves oral history from older Valley residents and presents the stories in a staged setting, including presentations by the Patapsco Players.

· Sponsorship and grant management of comprehensive research and publication (Summer 2001, Maryland Historical Society) of The Patapsco Valley: Cradle of the Industrial Revolution in Maryland, by Henry K. Sharp.

· Sponsorship and grant management of Patapsco: Portraits of a Valley, featuring photographs and accompanying interview text. This is now a traveling exhibit. The Library of Congress for their bicentennial celebration selected the project as a “local legacy.” Photographs currently reside at BB&T Bank in Elkridge

· Participation in the development of the National Road Corridor Management Plan (expected release Summer 2001). The Maryland Department of Planning is the lead agency in a public-private-government partnership to preserve, enhance, interpret, and market (for heritage tourism) Maryland's part of the Historic National Road, with potential designation as an “All American Road.”

· Coordination and participation with local, state, and federal preservation organizations to inventory and preserve the historic and cultural assets of the Valley. Currently, the FPVHG is working towards obtaining certified heritage area status for the Patapsco Heritage Greenway.

· Creation of a website to educate others about the mission and events of the Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway at www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org.

Contact people:

Betsy McMillion, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Kit Valentine, President, (phone), (email) John Slater, Vice President, (phone), (email)

Address:

P. O. Box 96 Ellicott City, MD 21041

Directions:

Our staff and volunteers work from our homes via phone and e-mail.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N/A   Nearest Bus Stop: N/A