Advancing the Olmsted Legacy—
Parks and Open Spaces for a New Century
The Olmsteds, designing for bikes since 1894? Sure enough, Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn claims that the bike lanes pictured in an 1894 photo were based on an earlier Olmsted recommendation for multiple use pathways— yet one more reminder of the continuing relevance of the Olmsted visionary principles.
The Friends of Maryland’s Olmsted Parks & Landscapes is committed to advancing that legacy of accessible public parks, sustainable landscapes and livable communities— respecting and protecting the accomplishments of the past and seeking relevant solutions for the challenges of today.
In Baltimore and Maryland, we build upon a heritage of over 70 years of distinctive contributions by the Olmsteds as we apply principles derived from their work to such current issues as park underfunding, watershed protection, nature preservation, recreational opportunities and environmental justice.
During the past year contributions to FMOPL from members like you helped to:
► Fund scholarships for two graduate students in landscape architecture to attend the National Association for Olmsted Parks Fall Symposium on Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in Washington D.C.
► Co-sponsor a distinctive new lecture series on Environmental History
► Offer 6 tours of Olmsted-related parks & residential developments, including Guilford on its 100th Anniversary
► Present the second in a series of forums on Open Space challenges and opportunities
► Relocate the Olmsted Collection to a new permanent home in the Baltimore City Archives
► Organize an Olmsted-themed bike cohort for Tour Dem Parks.
Look for initiatives like these in the coming year, and join us in building momentum for a vision of a sustainable future in which parks and open spaces play a central role.
If you have not yet renewed your membership for the current calendar year or want to become a member for the first time, this is the season to do so. You have the option to pay on-line through the FMOPL web site. Go to: www.olmstedmaryland.org/support/ and follow the instructions.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Ed Orser, President
Friends of Maryland’s Olmsted Parks & Landscapes