About 23 volunteers came out on a crisp MLK Day for trash clearing on the Dead Run and Gwynns Falls Trail.  In addition to netting 17 large bags of trash, there was also significant cutting back of invasive rose bushes along the trail.  Way to go TEAM!

As a part of the arrangement, BGE has planted hundreds of trees along sections of the decommissioned pipeline.

Morning commuters of Thursday, Jan 16th who were passing through the park on Franklintown Rd saw an Old Faithful-sized geyser from a water main break in Dead Run just before it flows into Gwynns Falls (at the bottom of Wetheredsville Road).  As the morning wore on, the hole had gotten larger, or pressure had eased, making for a shorter spout. 

This portion of the pipeline runs along and underneath the stream bed.  An emergency utility crew brought in heavy equipment to dig a clearing underneath the pipeline in order to get a temporary sleeve patch in place.  We understand a more thorough repair is being planned.  

See the video posted on Facebook

Read the latest from the Baltimore Brew:

https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2019/10/11/citizens-group-calls-on-the-state-to-fine-dpw-for-fish-kill/

Friends of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park files an official response letter to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requesting a penalty for the Sept 7 Fish Kill caused by the delayed response to the water main break near Dead Run.  

Read our letter here.

The Baltimore Brew reports that the City will not comment on the slow response and damage to Dead Run caused by the water main break:

https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2019/10/01/dpw-wont-come-clean-on-leakin-park-fish-kill/  

A water main near Franklintown ruptured early Saturday.  Despite multiple calls by FOGFLP members to City and County authorities, water gushed out for over 3 days.  Dead Run, normally quite low with the current lack of rain, was flowing full with chlorinated water that caused fish kills down stream.  See the article here: 

https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2019/09/13/water-main-break-causes-fish-kill-in-leakin-park/#comments  

This article, published in the New York Times on August 8, 2019 highlights EXACTLY  why we fight for every tree in Gwynns Falls Leakin Park!  

Read for yourself:  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/09/climate/city-heat-islands.html  

Another related news story, this one from CNN, on the value of urban parks can be found here: https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/20/health/iyw-cities-losing-36-million-trees-how-to-help-trnd/index.html

A Civic Works summer crew cleared the steps where the Stream Trail meets Wetheredsville Road.  The steps were completely overgrown before.  Thanks team!

Three FOGFLP members removed the branches from the big beech tree that fell across the GFT on the Millrace last week.  Hikers can get by but bikers will have to dismount.  City Rec and Parks officials have been notified about this current status. Hopefully they will remove the tree sometime soon!