The Friends are thrilled to announce that we have not only reached our lawsuit fundraising goal, we have surpassed it, raising a total of $22,453!

We are deeply grateful to every individual and group that donated to this effort to have the City’s Board of Estimates revisit the issue of parkland valuation and the BGE Granite Pipeline and do what the City Charter calls for – due diligence and “obtaining the greatest amount possible.”

The Friends’ lawsuit was prompted by the City’s refusal to hear from the Friends and others that what was lost to the 2.1 mile clear-cut through the heart of the park was significant and should be valued as such. It was a loss to the users of the park, but even more significantly, it was a blow to the integrity of the park, to the ecological balance of one of our nation’s largest urban forests, often referred to as, “the lungs of the city.” As the Recreation and Parks Department itself noted before construction began, the “precise environmental impacts are uncertain, though a decline of overall forest health should be anticipated.”

By accepting a mere $1.4 million for the 25 year lease of the parkland, the Board of Estimates woefully undervalued this unique green resource. The response was fierce and swift. The Friends heard from concerned individuals all over Baltimore and from national organizations whose work is dedicated to urban parks and the preservation of green spaces.

The Friends responded to the outrage and when it became clear the City was still refusing to value the parkland for what it was truly worth, our path became clear. We filed the lawsuit in April of 2019. We set a goal of $20,000 to cover our legal costs. In one year’s time we met our goal and then some!

Because of the pandemic, the court dates (pre-trial on May 22 and trial on June 26) have both been re-scheduled.  New dates are August 21st for the pre-trial conference, and October 5th for the trial date.   

The Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park’s mission is to, “advocate for the park as a public resource…while preserving its delicate environmental balance.” Our solemn pledge to everyone who donated to our legal fund, and to our members and all those who use the park, is that we will tirelessly fight for the integrity of the park, not just to maintain it but to improve it so that it will serve as a beacon for what is really important to all the species that live on the earth – a vibrant green environment necessary to sustain life.

Thank you,
The FOGLFP Board

The lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase.  But mark your calendars for the next significant dates for our lawsuit:

• Pre-trial and settlement hearing scheduled for May 22, 2020
• Trial date of June 26, 2020

Stay tuned - and please do your part by donating to our pipeline legal campaign.

For a recap of how we got here, please read this summary from FOGFLP Board Member Jack Lattimore.

A Baltimore Circuit Court judge sided with FOGFLP by denying the City and BGE's attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed.  Read more about this in a Baltimore Brew article.

A hearing for the Friends' case against Baltimore City and BGE regarding the Granite Pipeline through Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park will be heard in the:

Circuit Court for Baltimore City

11:00 am, Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Room 236, Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse

100 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

 Presiding Judge: Jeannie J. Hong, Case No: 24 - C - 19 - 002271 OG

FOGFLP Board Member Jack Lattimore went before the City's Board of Estimates and made the case that Baltimore City had violated its own charter by allowing the pipeline to be constructed before it had negotiated a franchise price.  

City Solicitor Andre Davis and a Rec and Parks attorney say they are “offended” by  such criticism.  Read more at the Baltimore Brew's May 1st article.

The Granite Pipeline deal went before the City Council with confusing results (Is it $2 million or $1.4 million).

Read more at the Baltimore Brew

Despite a lawsuit from FOGFLP, as well as objections from other park advocates, the Baltimore City Council has approved the BGE pipeline deal (after it has been constructed), and is now moving forward with the leasing agreement of $1.4 million dollars, one-tenth of the appraised amount of $14 million. 

Read more about the issue in this article in the Baltimore Brew. 

On April 11, 2019, FOGFLP Filed a lawsuit against Baltimore City  for allowing BGE to construct a 2.2 mile natural gas pipeline through the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park in violation of the City Charter.  BGE is also named in the suit because it destroyed 19 acres of parkland without having the right to do so.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE AND LAWSUIT HERE.

The Friends learns of the City's intent to accept $1.4 million dollar compensation for a 25 year lease for gas pipeline right of usage.  This is 10-times lower than estimates by the City's own experts.  See our press release, and read the resulting February 28th article in the Baltimore Brew.

The Pugh administration wanted to accept a ridiculously low franchise agreement.  FOGFLP and the City Council object!  Read more in Baltimore Brew.