Summer is coming. Here are some dates to save on your calendar:
JUNE 7 – Bolton Hill Garden Walk, 2 to 5 p.m. beginning in the John Street Park (1300 John Street). Ten gardens will be open to visits, as will Brown Memorial church for a peek at its Tiffany windows. Tickets are $10, free to garden club members.
JULY 10 – Jazz Artist Todd Marcus and his quartet kick off the fifth annual Arts in the Parks concerts, at Sumpter Park. This is the first of 10 weekly free Thursday concerts, each beginning at 6:30 p.m. A full schedule will be released next month. Donations are needed: https://boltonhillmd.org/donate/
AUG. 20 – The BHCA Crab Feast and Picnic, that honors first responders who help make our neighborhood a safer and cleaner place to live, will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bolton Hill Swim and Tennis Club. Volunteers are needed. Email christinedelise@yahoo.com
‘Problem properties’ list shrinks with BHCA committee’s nudging
Bolton Hill is a neighborhood recognized for its stately and well-maintained homes. That said, as with virtually any urban neighborhood there are always a few properties that because of absentee ownership, poor management or other financial reasons become abandoned or derelict.
While this problem is relatively minor for the neighborhood overall, if you happen to live near a neglected or mismanaged property it becomes a real issue. To address such problem properties, last summer BHCA convened concerned residents and engaged a seasoned a community consultant, Peter Duvall, to help monitor “problem properties,” advise BHCA, and advocate for code enforcement and other legal actions by Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development.
Since last summer 26 properties of concern have been identified in the neighborhood. That number has subsequently dropped to 22, as four properties (1625 Bolton, 247 Lafayette, 1812 & 1814 Eutaw) have been brought into code compliance. Currently the Department of Housing and Community Development has four properties in legal process of receivership, which will either force ownership change or the property will be brought into compliance (1700 & 1702 Eutaw, 1532 Mount Royal, and 1622 Park).
Similarly, additional properties have been forced into proper permitting, registration or licensure. BHCA’s Committee on Neglected and Mismanaged Properties also continues to bring pressure on the remaining problem properties through additional citations and code violation notices (a total of 24 that have been issued in 2024 and 2025). These actions have been prioritized by BHCA’s consultant through semiannual meetings and other regular communication with the HCD legal team.
If you are concerned about a neighborhood property not on this list, please document the problems you believe need attention and bring them to the attention of the Committee, by emailing properties@boltonhillmd.org.
Ana Marie’s garden project advances but funding is needed
The first phase of the restoration of Ana Marie’s Garden at Mosher and Mason streets is complete, and the transformation is already bringing new life to this cherished memorial space. In this phase, volunteers and partners worked to remove invasive wire grass and weeds that had spread through the sitting area, carefully redefining the garden beds. To better highlight the garden’s original design, custom bluestone edging was manufactured and installed, beautifully matching the existing bluestone gravel and enhancing the overall serenity of the park.
Ongoing maintenance is scheduled throughout the year with the help of volunteers and contracted support, ensuring the garden remains a welcoming retreat for all. We are excited to move forward with Phase 2, which will bring even more enhancements to space.
Fundraising efforts are still underway to help complete the next steps, and we are about $1,500 shy of our goal. We warmly invite those who cherish Ana Marie’s Garden to contribute and to help bring this beautiful memorial garden fully back to life. Contribute at https://boltonhillmd.org/donate/ and designate “Ana’s Garden.”
Bolton Hill Garden Club to choose new officers
Bolton Hill’s garden club will elect new officers on Tuesday, May 20, at 7 pm at Farnham Hall in Memorial Episcopal Church. Members must be present to vote.
Garden Club officers will serve a one or two-year term, starting in June. The slate of nominees selected by the Club’s Nominating Committee is: President (2 years) Chris Mirkovich; first vice-president (1 year) Stacey Fatica; second VP (2 years) Louie Wilder; Treasurer (no term limit) Patrice Kingsley; Corresponding Secretary (1 year) Hannah Eley; and Recording Secretary (1 year) Mackenzie Pratt.
Unity Hall offers free Sunday morning yoga classes
Free “Sunday Slowdown” beginner friendly yoga, open to all, kicks off every Sunday at 11 a.m. through Aug. 31. Mats and face masks are available.
Classes are led by Chomi and “infused with the extra magic of Black elder and ancestral wisdom, guidance, and teachings.”
About The Bulletin. . .
The Bolton Hill Bulletin is published monthly, except for July and August. It is designed by Elizabeth Peters. Paula Jackson is our proofreader. We invite others to help with writing, editing, or to provide photos or work on the business side. Contributors this month were, among others, Angie Alt, Lynn Cripps, Francine Marchese, Fritz Meyer, Chris Mirkovich, Joyce Oliner, Sallye Perrin, Merry Rogers, Lisa Summers, Lee Tawney and Jeff Thompson. Errors, omissions and comments should be reported to the editor, Bill Hamilton, at bulletin@boltonhillmd.org.
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