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Save Our School: Background

  1. June 2007:  Staff at the Department of Parks recommends that a number of its buildings, including the Garrett Park Estates Recreation Center (aka the Garrett Park Community Center) be transferred or demolished.  The staff based their recommendation on what they considered the poor condition of the building and the low number of hours of usage by the public of the building. No public input was sought before the recommendation was presented to the Planning Board.  Moreover, the Garrett Park Nursery School, despite being a tenant in the building for over 50 years, learns of the recommendation through newspaper reports. 

  2. Fall 2007:  Department of Parks belatedly seeks community input regarding the Staff Recommendation.  At public meetings, through public comments, and communications with elected officials, community provides overwhelming support for the Nursery School and the Community Center.  Read the letter that GPNS sent to Director Bradford of Parks and Planning, the letter GPNS sent to the board of Parks and Planning, and the letter the Mayor sent to Parks and Planning.  

  3. Late 2007/Early 2008:  Department of Parks agrees that its formula for determining whether to preserve its buildings should include the value these buildings have to the community.  Department of Parks staff, in meetings with the Garrett Park Nursery School throughout late 2007 and early 2008, indicates that the strong community interest in the building would likely cause staff to change their recommendation regarding the building.   

  4. March 2008:  Department of Parks conducts structural testing of the building.  Results indicate that the building is structurally sound but in need of repairs such as a new roof, new windows, replacement of brick façade on the back of the building, and replacement of some doors. 

  5. May 2008:  County budget battles ensue.  Department of Parks proposes cutting costs by transferring or demolishing a number of its buildings, including the Garrett Park Estates Recreation Center.  Community rallies to ensure that County Council funds the Garrett Park Estates Recreation Center.  County Council votes to continue to fund the Community Center and like buildings. 

  6. Spring/Summer 2008:  Department of Parks conducts a number of repairs on the Garrett Park Estates Recreation Center, including:  installation of air conditioners; replacement of certain doors; replacing windows in the bathrooms; replacement of brick façade on the back of the building. 

  7. Fall 2008:  The Board of the Nursery School submits proposal to the Town of Garrett Park, requesting that it request the transfer of the building from the Department of Parks to the Town of Garrett Park and then lease the building to the Nursery School under favorable terms. Board also approves the creation of the Secure Our Home Fund – donations are gratefully accepted. 
P.O. Box 314 | Garrett Park, MD 20896 | 301.933.5254