• Crosswalks to bus stops (CWL and SHD bus stop to metro)
• Parking/spaces – walkway from Community Center lot to municipal lot
• BWD and CWL stop sign violations
• Stop sign violations Southway and Ridge
• Poor traffic flow
• Homeless in Roosevelt Center
• Stop sign not needed uphill at Lastner and Julian Court
• Stop sign needed by Co-op, coming from old post office location ("Stop" is already painted on the streets)
• Signs in Greenbriar

• Stream clean-up Goddard branch
• Prevent dumping/Parkway
• Continue level of grounds maintenance
• Replace Southway trees in median with shade trees when replacement is needed
• Eyesore “white” covering of beds on Southway – use more natural color/material
• Paint Community Center more natural color – not white
• Provide all refuse/recycling services during holiday weeks – including yard waste collection
• Cost saving measure – find ways to get more life out of roadway surfaces and sidewalks, especially on low traffic streets
• Provide yard waste and vegetable waste alternatives to reduce city collection needs and to produce topsoil.
• Reduce miles driven by city vehicles – use more efficiently and improve ways of monitoring use/miles.

• Look at all of Greenbelt West (everything west of Rt. 201 – Springhill Lake,
• Baltimore/Washington Parkway, Metro) as area to be planned together and not in isolation
• Don’t develop anything
• Concerned with preserving natural areas (waterways, wetland, floodplain) in BARC
• More citizen communication
• Better enforcement of dumping
• Improve the look of Roosevelt Center
• Stricter code enforcement
• More traffic calming to reduce speeds
• Better control of storm water runoff
• Can City enforce better control of runoff
• Return Mack-Cali site to natural state
• Challenge existing private property rights
• Can the City purchase Roosevelt Center
• City should consider suggestions of Greener Greenbelt report
• Improve Ridge Road extension

• City offer training sessions to contribution groups (re: responsibilities of the leaders/board members: a) fiscal accounting b) ethical leadership c) procurement decisions)
• Earlier involvement of PRAB and City advisory boards in city planning – esp. large developments
• Provide increased visibility for informal leisure groups – i.e. City website, publications, etc.
• Swim team practice time: feasibility of increase and evening hours in summer in recognition of teen
• Increase public awareness of ordinances regarding removal of dog excrement, especially in parks. Also unleashed cats and dogs
• Shuttle bus service linking all areas of Greenbelt – mainly focused on transporting children to recreational activities
• Planting of more shade trees along Southway – especially in the median strip and ultimately replace the ornamented trees
• Replace the white covering over the flower beds with material that is more natural, less of an eyesore

• Resident interest group to inform citizens about services
• Tenant’s association ( Springhill Lake)
• Liaison to county social services
• Teen group that is inclusive
• Teen “hang-out” with some adult supervision to provide guidance and support
• Peer support

• Work with school board to: Improve Greenbelt Middle School Expand capacity of Greenbelt Elementary School (K-8)
• New annexations on referendum
• Hold City Council meetings in different areas of City
• Set up booths at Beltway Plaza to promote City services (similar to Labor Day)
• City should facilitate citizen group at Springhill Lake
• Improve how information is communicated to residents
• Promote City initiative for Spanish language classes – basic communication
• Cannot walk between Greenbelt West and Historic Greenbelt
• Bus service to connect three sections of City
• Resurrect tunnel below Kenilworth ??
• More bike racks and space for Mopeds

NOTES FROM 2nd VISIONING SESSION
COUNCIL ROOM - JANUARY 26, 2008

Session I

• Obtain planning and zoning authority
• Change relocation of voting locations from outside Greenbelt. Greenbelters
• should vote in Greenbelt
• Establish/encourage creativity, artfulness in focused areas (i.e. Roosevelt Center)
• Build on “community” identity
• Make sure traffic signals are phased to ease congestion
• Improve/reduce congestion at Metro Access Drive – address ASAP
• Concerned about proposed soccer stadium
• Provide quality workforce housing and community serving retail in safe area
• Facilitate mixed socio-economic community/neighborhoods
• Build technology infrastructure in schools
• Need retail that serves a diverse population
• Guard against political influences from special interests from outside in a fashion that conflicts with community ideals

Session II

• Build on unique strengths of Greenbelt (i.e. history, green space); avoid becoming like every other prototypical suburban community
• Identify “ Greenbelt”; provide visitor center
• Add turn lane from southbound Parkway to allow free turn onto Southway
• “When do we get into Greenbelt?” Emphasize Greenbelt’s specialness
• Wherever Greenbelt starts, there should be signs
• Strengthen, protect, encourage co-op housing
• Work with who has been successful in other communities ( College Park) to gain control over our destiny; has been accomplished elsewhere.
• Develop detailed action plan to obtain planning and zoning authority
• Vision statement of how we use authority/influence we already have and may obtain
• How can the citizens be empowered and act to increase the city’s interest
• Make information about issues easily available
• Help other groups with identifying linkage to the community
• Revive sign plan previously developed
• How do we involve/energize all of the city in important issues? Help people identify themselves as part of Greenbelt and give them opportunity and information for meaningful involvement
• We need diversity on APB. APB is pro-growth
• Sustainability should be a part of all considerations/discussions
• Be mindful of city’s economic viability; tax base should sustain us
• Pedestrian/bicycle access outside Historic Greenbelt is missing; connections need to be made and should be developed in all areas of the city
• Reduce our footprint. Limit growth (physical and population)
• BARC/Goddard lacks pedestrian/bicycle connections to Greenbelt
• City should reach out to bicycling community for expertise/assistance in improving bicycle facilities/connections
• Age in place needs to be facilitated. This may conflict with limited growth
• No city-wide consensus on growth, services, taxes
• Development should be evaluated through a “system approach”
• Swimmable lake

Session III

• Investigate co-op farming at BARC; grow food locally
• Make sure that there is a formal process for public, city, developer, schools to work out school capacity issues
• Make sure that school boundaries make sense and do not conflict with other policies
• Greenbelt should be able to plan for itself and this should be coordinated with county plans
• Can sidewalks be widened in coordination with WSSC water main modernization;
• underground PEPCO lines at same time; can fiber optic extensions be made
• $25 fine not high enough to discourage violations of animal waste
• Historic Greenbelt and Greenbelt West need dog parks
• Don’t pave Northway; no lights at Northway
• Westway and Ridge Road speeding; consider speed humps
• Can police do “stings” for speeding on Ridge Road; could bus traffic be scattered; can distinctive stop bars be painted at stop control intersections
• Crosswalk at Gardenway
• Improve signage in rear (old post office) parking lot to reinforce one-way traffic flow
• Consider redesign of post office lot
• Encourage locally owned businesses when possible
• Make city Wi-Fi
• Increase utilization of paths, trails, walkways. Take an active role in encouraging
• greater use

Session IV

• Don’t want cameras everywhere, but there are places ( Springhill Lake, Green Ridge House) where cameras may be wanted
• What is the BIG VISION for Greenbelt?
• Can mix uses be integrated in existing built areas?
• Need good restaurants. Could a culinary program be brought to in to promote new places to eat?
• Relocate Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department to Greenbelt Road - then existing building could be redeveloped (social services?)
• When looking at big picture for Greenbelt look at all of city – built, vacant, transitional areas
• Springhill Lake should be its own City of Greenbelt
• Double-right from southbound 201 onto westbound 193, then onto Edmonston Road is dangerous.
• Require commercial recycling
• Bring in youth-friendly business
• Expand business bases to serve all segments of the population
• Are we preserving the right things?
• Can we partner with University of Maryland for post-graduate studies of city –
• (international comparisons, visions)
• Schools should be flexible to respond to changes in population
• Plan seven (7) generations in the future
• Make sure that services with greatest demand are convenient to neighborhoods
• Connect neighborhoods by shuttle bus
• Are waking and biking convenient to all neighborhoods
• Post planning update on website
• Post links to county planning board/M-NCPPC site

Session I

• Three sections of city – how do we connect each part of the city better?
• At-large vs. Districts – City put out information regarding At-Large elections
• Crescent Road extended to connect Historic Greenbelt with Springhill Lake
• Overpass: over Kennilworth Avenue; over Beltway from Lake Park to Golden Triangle
• Spellman Overpass – make this area more welcoming (benches, attractive, focus point, meeting place)
• Distribution of News Review at Springhill Lake. Allow door-to-door deliveries.
• Re-development at Springhill Lake and Beltway Plaza should be considered with new development of Metroland property

Session II

• Can CRAB, promoting greater interaction between sections, play a role in coordinating films, study circles using existing facilities
• What occurs in Historic Greenbelt does not affect other parts ( Springhill Lake,
• Greenbelt East) of the City
• Parkway and Kennilworth Avenue separate Greenbelt into three separate sections. However, Greenbelt Road separates Greenbelt East into two sections
• City website needs to be updated more frequently
• News Review needs to cover all areas of City of Greenbelt
• Community groups share information and meet to discuss various issues and
• communicate back to residents
• Form a list – serve or email list to pass information to residents
• Provide free Wi-Fi throughout the city
• Coordination of News Review, Greenbriar Crier, etc, City website Channel 71 to make sure information is disseminated
• Annual “ Town Hall ” meeting to discuss all issues
• Regular face-to-face meeting possibly sponsored/mediated by CRAB
• Gathering for education… invite State Delegates, Senators and City Council
• How does City affect a positive result for Prince George’s Hospital

Session III

• Redevelopment of Springhill Lake is key to achieving greater participation from folks living there
• Increase City-sponsored block parties to create cohesiveness among three sections of city
• Visioning signs: “more of them”, “more visible”, “electronic sign” in other parts of city
• (Website) – provide links to community groups
• Google search – should be easier to find City’s website
• Welcome wagon… How do you find out when new families movie in?
• Springhill Lake Elementary School and City work together to promote sense of
• community. (Promote identity with other Greenbelt residents)
• Provide “packets” to new students that promote City events, activities, amenities – also include school supplies
• Use first PTA meeting to reach parents
• New resident “socials”
• Full planning and zoning
• Provide a follow-up meeting to discuss results of the visioning meeting – post on website unedited

Session IV

• “Store front” office or satellite office at Springhill Lake
• Greenbelt West must look like a “New Town”
• Sponsor activities in Springhill Lake and Greenbelt West to “connect” all of Greenbelt – i.e. celebrate MLK Birthday
• City campaign to encourage residents to walk. Promote Greenbelt as a “walkable” place to live”.
• City facilitate purchase of folding shopping carts to reduce cost
• Expand city cemetery
• Cab subsidy for non-rush hour
• Improve lighting (GHI inter walkway system)
• Hub-to-hub bus route
• Meet with Ingrid Turner and Paul Pinsky regarding the Greenbelt Middle School renovation
• Greenbelt should be “storm ready”. Have a relationship with National Weather Service
• Farmers market in Greenbelt – City help develop relationships with local farmers.
• Does Co-op have role?

Session I

• Assisted living facility in Greenbelt-progression of care (FOR A and SCAC)
• Alt/Rehabilitation of home for GAIL program
• Friendly transportation for seniors
• Senior residential facility in Roosevelt Center (charette) throughout the city
• Energy assistance programs for residents
• Communication system
• Safe place for homelessness
• Regularly occurring conversations, meetings, visiting facilities, to enhance residents’ understanding of issues such as diversity, immigration, homelessness, gender, disability, religious differences.
• City position to coordinate services for homeless and educate
• CRAB – “City” reaching out to various “communities” within Greenbelt to establish key contact person to facilitate conversations/needs of these groups
• “Culture Competency” throughout City departments
• More communication between city neighborhoods

Session II

• Balanced services for persons of all ages to maintaining diversity of ages within the city and involvement of all age groups in the city
• Is GHI-size homes appealing to families today?
• Make it easier to adapt homes to fit family needs today
• Streamlined home swap program
• For “younger families” education system available influences choices in housing
• More outreach to all ages – Re: services available and involvement in the community
• Transportation improvement within the city – weekend and evening particularly
• Coordinate with other local communities (Berwyn Heights/College Park) to improve transportation
• Limit community bus to City – no routes to metro
• Increase development around Metro to decrease crime near metro. Safe corridor to the Metro
• School development to meet future needs of community
• Flexible design to shift the use of facility as needed
• City encouraging residents to take advantage of services before crisis occurs; create view that services are part of community, not government
• De-stigmatizing “Social Services”
• Look to other cities for existing strategies+
• Expand on “GIVES”
• Computer literacy for GIVES
• Expand computer programs for seniors

Session III

• How do we make greenbelt relevant for younger generations
• Take a view of seven (7) generations in planning for the future
• Focus on trust in planning rather than planning out of fear
• Make wireless network available throughout city
• Education regarding tax help for low income residents
• Homeless issue – more coordination with County/State/national venues; more
• awareness, support-existing resources (i.e. churches, Bowie)
• City self promotion – Press releases on City initiatives/innovative policies
• Integrated services (education and City) to accommodate future needs/trends (i.e. K-8 – community centers)
• Development requirements to address impact on city services (i.e. education, police, etc.)
• Smaller facilities for education that are designed with flexibility to meet new needs
• School Board education by informed citizens who can put forth a vision for Greenbelt
• Uniqueness of Greenbelt’s GAIL program – more publicity needed
• Quality of education key to attracting/maintaining families in community
• Greenbelt more active in Middle School to improve its outcomes
• City-wide distribution of News Review
• Welcome “Basket” from City to new residents

Session IV

• Pool scholarships for kids for families
• Low income/affordable housing within city with any new developments
• City creating partnerships with private recreation facilities to increase opportunities for low income families.
• Safety for homeless persons
  • - Safe place for possessions
  • - Homeless advocate (esp. to address their vulnerability to crime)
• Balance issue of services for homeless with possible increase in number of homeless if better services are available
• More community events in Roosevelt Center to reduce crime
• Greenbelt Retirement Community (like Riderwood)
• Reverse mortgages
• Publicity through schools of City services
• City central information person/services
• - Information kiosks
• Need for tutoring services in all schools

• Awareness program for schools
• More visible bike and foot patrol
• Lighting – generally – Southway, Springhill Lake, 12 Court Ridge walkway
• Parking enforcement
• Pepco response
• More police presence in Roosevelt Center
• Strengthen crime watch by engaging community leaders
• Property owner accountability
• Cultural diversity awareness events city-wide
• Natural disaster planning/storm readiness
  • - Evacuation
  • - Early alert
• More cameras
• Walkable/Cycable Community
  • - Bike lanes
  • - Public safety education
  • - Personal interaction
  • - Other areas than Historic Greenbelt
• Sidewalks along Crescent
  • - Bike lanes
• Public Safety at schools should be first priority
• Focus more on the positive aspects of public safety
• Public safety planning – Re: Greenbelt West development
• Review fine structure for a code enforcement to keep properties up to par
• Affordable housing increase
• Police/Youth Interaction (PAL) – midnight basketball

Session I

• Plan a special day each year to celebrate cultural diversity and customs
• Plan a fitness day to invite all to participate and develop good habits of health and fitness
• Expand and develop city trails system with safe connections city-wide and advertise
• Schrom Hills Park – focus on tree maintenance and replacement and upgrade fitness course and stations through park path

Session II

• Look into feasibility of a sponsor or scholarship program for low income youth for swimming pool. Also, possibility of use of private pools in the city for these youths to use as well.
• Expand city transportation system for citizens (particularly youth and seniors) to get to city facilities and programs
• Bike paths for the future. Implement a plan to include commercial places (NASA)
• City work with Garden Club to establish the “Riderwood example” of use to increase number of participants – provide more efficient use
• City review Lake Master Plan to see if a playground can be added at Pinecrest and Olivewood
• Establish as a high priority an open green space versus development formula to
• preserve and protect the “ Greenbelt” and all areas of the city.
• Expand and replace Youth Center weight room

Session III

• Incorporate the latest technology into encouragement of fitness (movement) with
• computer utilization
• Transportation to center of Greenbelt on a regular basis. Expand with shuttle schedule or “Van Go” service such as in Silver Spring
• City work with merchants to establish specialty shops in services at city shopping centers (i.e. skate and bike shop, arts and crafts, store)
• Establish inter-generational activities such as programs involving grandparents days with children, etc. and day trips
• Look into feasibility to reestablish original activities at Lake Park including swimming, boating, and concession for rentals of equipment
• Improve tennis court activity with three wall facility (i.e. racketball, tennis, handball)
• Meet all standard for ball fields including design, maintenance and support fixtures (bleachers, scoreboards, etc.)

Session IV

• Offer more time-convenient activities for working people (i.e. Spanish classes, specialty workshops)
• Realizing the increasing demand; offer more city opportunities for Spanish language classes; better promote all opportunities that exist as well
• Provide the most up-to-date state-of-the-art fitness equipment now and in the future years for patrons of the Aquatic & Fitness Center
• Vision/plan for future retention and appropriate management; ecological restoration of natural lands; building on 2007 Forest Preserve Plan
• Explore at Lake Park trail surface treatments to provide useable surface and minimize erosion
• Emphasize need to protect city trees and forest areas with appropriate maintenance and management, particularly at the Lake Park

Session I

• Costs of solar panels at City facilities
• Techniques/information for solar and other alternative energy
• Building regulations which require green elements/design
• Expand recycling options – (Styrofoam)
• Incentives for green design
• Safe routes for mopeds, bikes; parking spaces
• More bike racks and paths
• Homeowners – affordable housing
• Education regarding environmentally-friendly landscape techniques
• Interpretive signage for rain barrels
• Examine regulations to allow small/individual livestock – (chicken) on residential
• property
• Environmentally friendly sewage systems for new development
• Make City Wi-Fi network available

Session II

• Lake dredging
• Recycling – expand educational component – newspaper articles
• Expand connection service – Saturday service
• Conduct hazardous waste collection in Greenbelt; more frequent electronics recycling and more paper shredding days
• Concrete culvert in Lakewood stream park needs improvements
• Mandate commercial recycling
• Be proactive – work with commercial entities on best practices for recycling,
• landscaping, etc.
• Sidewalks on Lakeside – safety issue
• City should purchase recycled paper

Session III

• Cell phone recycling
• Dinnertime bus service on Greenbelt Connection
• Garden Club – more options, water access, senior gardens
• Tell community stream groups about plans for Hillside outfall
• Encourage Pepco to do more conservation
• Health concerns about Wi-Fi
• Reduce litter – more receptacles, more education
• Better snow removal at bus stops
• Publish and discuss geo-thermal hosting at Public Works
• Trash cans in all playgrounds
• Encourage composting
• Encourage more public transportation

Session IV

• Place a shelter, bench, trashcan and recycling bins at all bus stops
• Memorial bus shelters/Adopt-a-Shelter
• Adopt-a-Bench/Adopt-a-Tree publicity – City website
• GHI – automatic leaf pick-ups on specific days
• Improve water runoff – control – from parking lots … use of pervious surfaces
• Beautiful plantings throughout city!
• Timers placed on watering – automatic shutoff
• Investigate use of bio-diesel/consider long-term costs
• Public plug-ins for cars of future
• Generating electricity from spillway at Greenbelt Lake
• Windmills for electricity generation in City
• Explore pay-as-you-go waste collection
• Continue to explore additional plastic recycling
• Expand recycling program to include fluorescents bulbs
• Select plants that have positive effect on environment (bamboo)
• Program for citizen responsibility for watering trees
• Improve lighting on pathways ( Ridge Road)
• Gateway entrance signage/pavement markings
• Museum signage on Greenbelt Road
• Information on banner size on website
• Capture big picture/sustainability issues and apply to City purchases

NOTES FROM 3rd VISIONING SESSION
ERHS-FEBRUARY 2, 2008

Session I

• Can Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department site be used for low cost housing if Fire Department is relocated?
• Encourage Beltway Plaza to become more competitive with national retailers
• Encourage 80/20 retailing with 80 percent of necessary goods/services provided in Greenbelt market area
• Must have a transportation system which supports local use of retail
• City Wi-Fi
• Improved library services – better book selection; Wi-Fi access. At current location library has limited geographic accessibility; increase use of library to ensure continued operation; look at library outreach (book mobile; Netflix type borrowing)
• Use of overpass limited by views into and out of overpass. It isn’t out in the open; doesn’t feel like a public space. If it were to close it would isolate Greenbelt East
• Need more pedestrian access from Greenbelt East to rest of community
• Overpass isn’t well marked. Where is it?
• Street crossings are unsafe - not enough time to cross.
• More overpasses
• Resources in other parts of Greenbelt are not well known to residents of Greenbelt East
• Perception that Greenbelt East is an afterthought.
• Even Greenbelt East is isolated north from south
• Dog Park feels too far to walk from Greenbriar Phase III
• Nothing identifies Historic Greenbelt from “outside” (193; 201)
• An inter-city commuter bus would help connect areas of the community; information
• is compromised if access is lacking/missing
• Sign at Baltimore-Washington Parkway off-ramp is confusing because arrows should be on the side of the sign which relates to the arrow direction; sign is difficult to read
• Path to Schrom Hills Park from north is difficult

Session II

• Responsible public/private partnerships to encourage economic development is a good thing
• Transportation planning for University of Maryland needs to feed into the transportation thinking for Greenbelt
• Need the right type of housing for inter-generational populations
• Outside of Greenbelt perception of Springhill Lake is negative. If we don’t focus on Springhill Lake, outside perception will remain negative.
• Sense of identity of Greenbelt is confusing – what is in and out. Two-thirds of Greenbelt is not historic Greenbelt
• Goddard is also bringing residents into area and housing will be needed
• Growth in Greenbelt West will change dynamics of getting around Greenbelt; not easy to walk around/across/through city; open up passageways (overpass); make them appealing; inside of closing off passageways, need to open them up
• Greenbelt Road overpass from Greenway to Southway with sidewalks

Session III

• Do “visioning” exercises more often; repeat event regularly/periodically during Council meetings
• Consider if annexation of pockets of unincorporated areas around Greenbelt may be desirable/advisable to annex to preemptively control development on adjacent unincorporated areas
• Would like a Chamber of Commerce
• Chamber of Commerce to see mixed use in other areas of city
• Light rail along Northway into GSFC and looping through Greenbelt to create a loop system
• Undertake a transportation strategic plan that brings together all planning entities and visions for a comprehensive transit plan
• Need Greenbelt East pedestrian plan and Greenbelt West should not be planned unless there is a pedestrian plan
• Do a public presentation on current state of Greenbelt West development plans
• Street car/light rail on Rte. 1
• Greenbelt as a center of study for green transportation systems
• To encourage economic development by being more involved in business attraction, retention, promotion
• Look at existing developed spaces that are under-utilized (high vacancies) when other spaces/buildings exist with redevelopment and reuse opportunities
• Regularly monitor development and provide input
• Focus on vitality and quality of life and not growth/no-growth
• Find ways to make residential communities as dynamic as are commercial areas
• Plan for a healthy, balanced community
• Greenbelt East needs a center/focal point/destination which would be attractive, pedestrian friendly
• Greenway Center traffic patterns are confusing, dangerous, difficult within parking lot itself (by Safeway)
• Pedestrian access across Hanover Parkway as well as entrance to Greenway center from 193
• Power supply located at entrance to Greenway Center; and whenever it is hit during an accident, Greenbelt East loses electric service
• Bus stop location on Hanover Parkway near Post Office. Connections need to be checked
• New deaf/blind signals on Greenbelt Road/Hanover Parkway are mistimed

Session IV

• How can you reuse existing structures to encourage affordability
• Would like to see ideas of a village – communication/connections between people
• Direction communications from City government. Small, direct, specific statements.
• Focus on people.
• More pedestrians and a comfortable walking experience (benches)
• Safe pedestrian/auto interface. Crossing Hanover Parkway is dangerous
• Expansion of Greenbelt Connection with continuous flexible runs
• Make pathways functioning activity centers. Encourage use and users
• Use electronic announcement boards in different neighborhoods to communicate messages. Use a citizen group which could work with city in getting messages out.
• Encourage AIMCO to sell to different groups/entities
• Use city resources to help neighborhoods in efforts to improve (police, lighting; horticulture, plantings). Create city – neighborhood partnerships
• Could there be a city email list (identity protected) to share information and notices
• Could City Council meetings be webcamed or archived for later viewing
• Teleconference centers for Council meeting
• Hope in five years that everyone will pay greater attention to general surroundings (pick up trash, general upkeep)
• Consider doing a probability survey to gain public opinions
• City needs to take more responsibility for what has been going on at Springhill Lakeover the past two years. Make sure buildings are up to code; AIMCO needs to insure that residents are financially protected; lighting from METRO; after school activities
• City in partnership with others (residents) should buy Springhill Lake
• Virtual walking tours to show different routes/areas
• Concerned with aggressive driving (in and out of city)
• Speeding, aggressive driving, violation of lane markings on Hanover Parkway from Spring Manor Drive to Good Luck Road
• Electronic version of News Review
• Reach out to Springhill Lake to facilitate an ideal, state of the art, environmentally sensitive community; bring in a partners to help
• Could Giant training center at Springhill Lake be used for game room (?) – classes, community programs, youth activities

Session I

• Website, Council meetings – what other methods can be used to get information to residents
• Expansion of Greenbelt connection – more days of the week, longer hours
• Are these sessions just going through the motions or will suggestions be implemented?
• Greenbelt East residents do not necessarily have a reason to go to Historic Greenbelt.
• Feeling of isolation
• How do we capitalize on having three sections of the city?
• Good to have center city has a meeting place, but not a focal point
• More thought toward understanding citizens’ concerns, wants, needs, etc. in other parts of the city
• Concern about how follow-up to these visioning sessions
  • Would like to be part of the process of deciding how the information from these sessions is implemented
• Need to feel that we are all in this together

Session II

• City has “hands-off’ strategy toward business
• No bus service on Sunday. Limited bus service on Saturday
• Engage County to supplement bus service
• Define what makes each section of the city special and build unity from the
• differences
• Springhill Lake – Can City have a role in creating ownership opportunities?
• Facilitate a Greenbelt Chamber of Commerce – create opportunities for businesses to participate in activities, groups (i.e. Boys and Girls Club)
• Look for mixed-use properties including family dining, entertainment
• Charge for use of skate park for non-residents
• E-government – ability to “text” Greenbelt Police information
  • -Reach out to citizen and citizens to government without paper
• Greenbelt Alert is good service
  • - Send reminders to citizens of the service
• Tornado sirens
• Master email list to notify citizens of various matters – community events, etc.
• Webcam for Council meetings – make available to residents who cannot attend
• Email list with bcc so emails remain private
• Emphasize what is available in the historic part of the City of Greenbelt
  • - Do not feel the “pull” into the center
  • - Do not feel maligned as a Greenbelt East resident
• Farmer’s market that include items grown or made
• Work toward reducing the number of employees by using technology and use of
• volunteers
  • - What resources can volunteers provide the city
• Study where can the City reduce staff
• Must be careful regarding where staff resources are used
• Must coordinate volunteer participation
• Volunteerism builds a stronger community
• Use GIVES as the tool to coordinate volunteers
• Work with real estate agents and schools to identify new residents (welcome wagon)
  • - Develop a information packet for new residents
  • - Could include “magnets” or coupons from local businesses
  • - City service identified
• City should contact the County regarding “The Bus” service – i.e. lateness, allow boarding when buses are early. Calls do not affect a change
• Hub-to-hub-to-hub to connect different parts of the City
• Need to “market” positives in Greenbelt to offset news items from Springhill Lake
• Promote summer jobs with Greenbelt businesses
• New residents in Springhill Lake and Greenbelt East need bus route information, parks and recreation information, shopping, restaurants, etc.
• Signage to identify location of Spellman Overpass from Hanover Parkway is not visible (too small)
  • - No signage in Historic Greenbelt to Spellman Overpass
• Need to include resident with language barriers in visioning sessions, city activities
• Desire for a follow-up meeting for residents to comment on results of the first three meetings

Session I

• How to reach residents who could benefit from services but are not using them
• Helping seniors use computers and technology
• Visibility/publication/advertisement of Mediation Board (magnets, slogan, exposure)
• Inclusion of all parts of Greenbelt
• Nursing home or assisted living building for seniors

Session II

• Issue of homeless
• Addressing community issues that is causing trouble between neighbors
• Community outreach counselor to do outreach to all parts of the town proactively addressing issues
• Financial counseling for residents
• City magnet with key phone numbers
• Welcome Wagon for new residents to Greenbelt – perhaps through homeowners associations

Session III

• City’s image in the media can be influenced by events such as fires at Springhill Lake Apartments
• Create a city image – i.e. “Keep it Green”, farmers markets, “We Are Green”, small town – and promote it in the media at large
• Communication between all parts of city
• Share city event information (i.e. heatlh fair) to homeowners’ associations or boards –
• email residents
• Recognize more folks live away from biological family – how can City encourage assistance between neighbors

Session IV

• Distribute city information at PTA meetings
• City’s involvement in required student community service hours
• Youth employment – working with local businesses to employ youth; to give work experience to occupy their time
• Transportation for youth to access Recreation center and skateboard park in center of town
• City hold seminars for youth on “workforce readiness”
  • - Involve Police as well as Social Services
• City working with Tenants’ Association at Springhill Lake to address community needs/issues
• Game room at Recreation Center for youth with computers (i.e. Wheaton Plaza) – coordinate with

• Community unity
  • - Distinctly different neighborhood
  • - Service demands
  • *- Visibility for community policing – beat officer recognition
• Broader communications
  • - Between government and citizens
  • - Between neighbors
  • - Crime Watch
  • - Between department and HOAs and associations in genearl
• Zero tolerance for small violation (“broken window theory”)
  • - Work programs
• Meetings with HOAs
• Resident officers
• Fee for services by HOAs
• Aggressive Driving Enforcement
• Call boxes and cameras
• Lighting problems
  • - 193 and 495 at underpass
• Speed cameras
• Shuttle buses at Metro
  • - to parking lot
  • - to Greenbelt neighborhoods
  • - Run by City
• Where do we get the next generation of police officers?
• Crime prevention meetings/training for general public – not associated with HOAs
• Residential fire alarm inspections
  • - smoke alarms
• Head Start communication with schools
  • - lockouts
  • - more parental involvement
• Enhance crime watch patrols with pet owners (walking dogs)
• Electronic notification system (cell phones/text messaging)
• Meeting with Golden Age Club
• More speed sentries/speed devices

• Improve city signage for direction to facilities and strategic locations – i.e. Spellman Overpass and entrances in each section of the city
• Make city maps available at various stations in the city for pick-up and use (i.e. real estate posts)
• Feasibility of City co-sponsoring “Pumpkin Walk” with the original organizers – the Committee to Save the Green Belt
• Install park benches at Spellman Overpass location to encourage public presence
• Establish a second dog park adjacent to Spellman Overpass on the old Greenbelt side
• Improve or remove fitness course at Schrom Hills Park
• Promote more locations of facilities (i.e. dog park, etc) online and in the various city publications and Channel 72 cable; insert in programs
• *Update directory board at Southway entrance and other main entrances
• Greenbrier Park – clean up, remove dead limbs and undergrowth, trash
• Proposal to establish new dog park at Greenbrier Park and feasibility of a dog park for each section of the city (four). Emphasis on shade and design for comfort
• Open Space area at Mandan and Hanover. Look into appropriate design and park fixtures (i.e. benches) for public to conveniently make use of (small scale)
• Maintain in the future the high quality of recreation/parks and open spaces as they are now – DON’T CUT BACK!
• Establish direct communications (e.g. a fact sheet) to go to civic associations, etc, with the highlights of city projects, programs and city happenings
• Add more park benches throughout the city to encourage walking
• Insure planning for the Greenbelt West development includes small park (vest pocket) besides large ones
• Keep programs like Labor Day Festival in-scale – not too big to handle or out of proportion – “human scale”
• Add (if possible) drinking fountains at naturally occurring spring (e.g. Indian Spring)
• Combine Department of Recreation and Parks
• Put gate at Northway entrance, particularly nights, within a schedule to accommodate approved activities (i.e. field uses, gardens, visits to mulch pile, Astronomy Club)
• Expand diversity of programs (i.e. Special Olympics, etc.)
• Offer park programs such as outdoor, nature-oriented activities and walks and
• naturalist focus, learn to fish, boating, canoe, kayacking, etc. – guided hikes in Forest
• Preserve, bird walks, environmental awareness
• Look into displaying electric digital informational sign boards to improve communication to the public
• Establish a “virtual tour” of Greenbelt on the city website and cable
• Establish a city communications and technical advisory committee to study the many communication resources
• Construct a city recreation/community center building in Greenbelt East (like size of Youth Center/Springhill Lake Recreation Center
• Upgrade fitness equipment at Aquatic and Fitness Center
• Promote drop-in volleyball play with specific times to participate
• Look into discount opportunities for participants involved in multiple recreation programs, camps, classes, pool, etc.
• Fill in gap for school-age children of working parents (i.e. summers, holidays, after school); transportation, financial, comprehensive programming based on school schedule
• Need clean rest rooms at the fields
• Accessibility to Schrom Hills Park (pedestrian/trails) – needs to be
• designed/established. DOESN’T EXIT NOW!
• Safe accessibility to Greenbelt National Park for pedestrians and bikers is needed
• Establish a circulator bus service to travel through the city
• Feasibility of public/private partnership to operate various home owners associations’ recreation facilities. There is a lack of recreation facilities and programs in Greenbelt East
• Add diversity of new residents’ interests in activities and culture to program offerings, (i.e. cricket or other specialized sports, etc.)
• Promote programs in other languages
• Seek grants and other sources of revenues with a dedicated person to seek them (for all City department operations)

Session I

• Expanded Greenbelt Connection (seven days, greater hours, more vehicles, routes)
• Providing recreation facilities for all ages (playgrounds). CONTINUE THIS!
• Active recreation facilities for seniors
• Maintain Greenbelt Connection
• Inform HOA, civic, condo and cooperative groups more direct information (for Schools)
• Trail improvement – promote walking/fitness etc.
• Help communities plant trees; maintain green elements; fill in gaps

Session II

• Keep logo green
• Educate residents about free planting and maintenance
• Balance between trees and lighting – canopy blocking lighting – pruning/lighting change
• Street level solar lighting
• Evaluate/remove reforestation along Hanover Parkway; work with surrounding community
• Clean community (air, water, streets); education and enforcement; trash/litter in parks
• Appreciate Roosevelt Center maintenance
• Assist seniors with snow and leaf removal – use students (community source) and volunteers – GIVES
• Can we recover methane from former city landfill?
• Alternative fuel vehicles

Session III

• More trails and connections to Schrom Hills Park; signage at park
• Make City ads clearer about who they affect (i.e. holiday refuse changes); work with vendors, get their schedules
• Clarity/provide reminders about types of recycling – how to do it correctly
• Provide information about recycling/city services/bulk trash when people sign leases
• Timing of Frankfort traffic signal. Light should turn green at same time as Hanover Parkway
• Pools and tennis courts in Greenbelt East
• Look at other sports (rugby, cricket, etc.) – multi-use fields
• Education/outreach about recreation programs and all-city service – other languages and venues
• Look for opportunities to communicate with other cultures
• Collaborate/plan activities for other cultures (Chinese New Year0
• Automate translation tools linked to the City’s website
• City information in HOA newsletters
• Timing of information – more advanced notice
• Promote City website; link to HOAs; expand website staffing/resources; appeal to younger people; links to nearby communities

Session IV

• Beautify/landscape overpass areas; remove trees from behind fenced areas
• Explore partnerships with HOAs who have facilities like tennis courts/pools
• ATHA signage should include Greenbelt East, Schrom Hills Park
  • Signage identifying where you are in Greenbelt – in particularly Greenbelt Road – unique street signs
• Telephone pole – banners/pennants
• Brochure on parks
• Bulk trash pick-up for HOAs who don’t get City trash service
• Great snow removal
• More public transportation on weekends – fill the gap; better routes to the Metro station

NOTES FROM E-MAIL

• Make Greenbelt a more walkable community within and between neighborhoods by installing adequate sidewalks, particularly along Greenbelt Road. In so doing, you encourage people to walk to stores and recreation instead of drive.
• Make Greenbelt more visually pleasing by investing in landscape along walkways and in medians.
• Create better signage to and from Greenbelt's amenities (parks, lakes, etc.). When I first moved here two years ago, I found the parks and lakes through my neighbors. In so doing, you encourage greater usage of parks and lakes.
  Create internship and summer job opportunities to encourage youth and senior citizens to partake in public service. Could be done in partnership with area businesses thereby further expanding job opportunities.
• Seek to bring in more sit down restaurants that are neighborhood based not franchises. Greenbelt has enough of those!
• Integrate art into the community in such a way that we can enjoy are throughout the community (install art in parks, along walkways, etc.).
• Next time Greenbelt conducts a community visioning process, I would encourage the city to engage folks using multiple mediums -- Internet, television, radio, etc. In person community forums are great, but people's busy lives sometimes do not let them engage in civic processes.
  I hope this is helpful and informative for decision-making.
• Here are my two suggestions should the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Dept relocate to another location:
  • First idea: Turn the former GVFD building on Crescent Rd into a Telework Center. It would generate income for the city (charge each public user and federal employee anywhere from $25-$47 dollars per day). There is already a kitchen in the building, parking space, and communications cabling for the building. It would give Greenbelt citizens a chance to telework a few times a week near home should they not have room at home to work or for those who prefer to keep their work separate from their home life.
  • Second idea: Low income housing for Senior Citizens with restrictions such as no relatives under the age of 18-21 allowed to stay with grandpa or grandma for more than 30 days.
  • COMMENT regarding a suggestion by another citizen: If it should be turned into low income housing without age restrictions, I believe it should have strict regulations such as no alcoholic beverages or smoking allowed inside the premises or outside on the property and enforced quiet hours. This would be for the welfare of ALL the tenants and if a few people find it too restrictive, then they could apply for more lenient housing elsewhere.
• Some further thoughts:
  • Just as Greenbelt has earned Tree City status it should also pursue policies and programs that will allow it to qualify for Dark Sky Designation by the International Dark Sky Association. Energy savings and environmental benefits w/o sacrificing securiy or public safety.
  • Encourage commercial and multi-residential roofing over 1000 sq feet to be green roofing or energy generating roofing.
  • Encourage paved surfaces for designated parking be of new porous designs and materials.
  • Encourage that all structural demolition work be conducted under best "deconstruction" practices.
  • Encourage residential owners to reduce mono-culture lawns to active use areas only and replant "passive areas" with habitat friendly native plants.
  • Encourage rain barrels and cisterns
  • Advocate for a pedestrian overpass between Springhill Lake (Edmonston Rd and Springhill Lane) and Capital Office Park. Suitable space for construction is available via condemnation.

    ---

• Promote Promote Promote!!! Greenbelt through Marketing campaign as a good place to do business to increase tax base
• De-clutter Greenbelt website to make it easier to read and find information
• Look into having County council represent a portion of the city instead of At-Large elections.  Council and Mayor's seats should be voted on individually.
  
• Improve walkability in particular by shopping centers (Greenway Center & Beltway Plaza)
• Encourage Beltway plaza redevelopment and a wider range of shopping options
  
• Clean up Beltway Plaza
• Electronic Version of Greenbelt News review.  Will cut down on amount of paper used!
• Engage Greenbelt business into the community by having a Chamber of Commerce
• Look into the redevelopment of Roosevelt center in order to provide a wider range or options
• Make Spellman Overpass more appealing
• Encourage ONE Greenbelt by enhancing Greenbelt identity, connecting the three areas
• Design a new Greenbelt Logo
• Improve Signage to identify Greenbelt such as those in Berwyn Heights
• Attract higher quality and diverse retail. 
  
• Use smart growth and development (i.e. Transit Oriented Development)
• Work with Pepco about repeated power outages in Greenbelt East
  
• Work with WSSC about repeated water main breaks in Greenbelt East

  ---

  My vision for Greenbelt is to have side-by-side communities representing the best vision of the 20th century and the best vision of the 21st century.  Old Greenbelt next to an environmentally state-of-the-art development on the Springhill Lake site.  By 21st century, I am thinking of buildings that return power to the grid, a community that features covered direct walkways to Metro, unbroken biking paths to Metro, Lake Artemisia, Old Greenbelt.

  I think this can be achieved by advertising Greenbelt as a rare historically significant and visionary city and specifically soliciting green builders.  Perhaps the MD government is ripe to help in the effort considering that they are currently making news by considering the toughest energy laws in the nation.  This could be a showcase for the state.

  ---

  The following are summaries of a set of developed Greenbelt Visioning suggestions which one individual has provided. Printouts are available in the Municipal Center.

   

  1. THE BEST THAT GREENBELT CAN BE 30 YEARS FROM NOW, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Greenbelt is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and are becoming, as well as what Greenbelt wants to become. The experiences of similar cities would be accessed.

   

  2. STUDYING SPRINGHILL LAKE, 1.5pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Springhill Lake (SHL) is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and potentially will become…

   

  3. SPRINGHILL LAKE CITY, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would examine and define how Springhill Lake has historically been governed; identify the problems that have evolved and that persist which might be the result of unsuccessful government; explore whether self-governing might be better; explore successful and unsuccessful self-governing attempts elsewhere.

   

  4. CRIME MANAGEMENT AS A TOP POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PRIORITY WITHIN GREENBELT, 5.7pp  Greenbelt needs to take on an attitude of “Crime will not dictate what any parts of Greenbelt will become…”  a) Research would be conducted as to applicability of the prevalent sources of crime to the Greenbelt experience, as well as to levels of success in crime management in other regions.

  b) Nearly all City funding would go into Crime Management until there was increasing success.

   

  5. Greenbelt’s Energy Future, 2.2pp

  Enjoying national recognition as a model city, we could also become a model sustainable city. Most families and individuals would be reducing energy use such that each would be consuming only as much energy as would be both sustainable and affordable.

   

  6. TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO THE ADULT HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT U OF MD, 1.7pp  A suggestion that a van and driver be provided Greenbelt seniors, 55 and older, for attending the twice-yearly Adult Health and Education Program (AHDP) at U of MD in College Park. Each senior would be teamed up with a student for 9 Saturday mornings in activities relating to health, aging, recreation, exercise, socializing etc.

   

  The following are summaries of a set of developed Greenbelt Visioning suggestions which one individual has provided. Printouts are available in the Municipal Center.

   

  1. THE BEST THAT GREENBELT CAN BE 30 YEARS FROM NOW, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Greenbelt is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and are becoming, as well as what Greenbelt wants to become. The experiences of similar cities would be accessed.

   

  2. STUDYING SPRINGHILL LAKE, 1.5pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Springhill Lake (SHL) is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and potentially will become…

   

  3. SPRINGHILL LAKE CITY, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would examine and define how Springhill Lake has historically been governed; identify the problems that have evolved and that persist which might be the result of unsuccessful government; explore whether self-governing might be better; explore successful and unsuccessful self-governing attempts elsewhere.

   

  4. CRIME MANAGEMENT AS A TOP POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PRIORITY WITHIN GREENBELT, 5.7pp  Greenbelt needs to take on an attitude of “Crime will not dictate what any parts of Greenbelt will become…”  a) Research would be conducted as to applicability of the prevalent sources of crime to the Greenbelt experience, as well as to levels of success in crime management in other regions.

  b) Nearly all City funding would go into Crime Management until there was increasing success.

   

  5. Greenbelt’s Energy Future, 2.2pp

  Enjoying national recognition as a model city, we could also become a model sustainable city. Most families and individuals would be reducing energy use such that each would be consuming only as much energy as would be both sustainable and affordable.

   

  6. TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO THE ADULT HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT U OF MD, 1.7pp  A suggestion that a van and driver be provided Greenbelt seniors, 55 and older, for attending the twice-yearly Adult Health and Education Program (AHDP) at U of MD in College Park. Each senior would be teamed up with a student for 9 Saturday mornings in activities relating to health, aging, recreation, exercise, socializing etc.

   

  The following are summaries of a set of developed Greenbelt Visioning suggestions which one individual has provided. Printouts are available in the Municipal Center.

   

  1. THE BEST THAT GREENBELT CAN BE 30 YEARS FROM NOW, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Greenbelt is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and are becoming, as well as what Greenbelt wants to become. The experiences of similar cities would be accessed.

   

  2. STUDYING SPRINGHILL LAKE, 1.5pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Springhill Lake (SHL) is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and potentially will become…

   

  3. SPRINGHILL LAKE CITY, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would examine and define how Springhill Lake has historically been governed; identify the problems that have evolved and that persist which might be the result of unsuccessful government; explore whether self-governing might be better; explore successful and unsuccessful self-governing attempts elsewhere.

   

  4. CRIME MANAGEMENT AS A TOP POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PRIORITY WITHIN GREENBELT, 5.7pp  Greenbelt needs to take on an attitude of “Crime will not dictate what any parts of Greenbelt will become…”  a) Research would be conducted as to applicability of the prevalent sources of crime to the Greenbelt experience, as well as to levels of success in crime management in other regions.

  b) Nearly all City funding would go into Crime Management until there was increasing success.

   

  5. Greenbelt’s Energy Future, 2.2pp

  Enjoying national recognition as a model city, we could also become a model sustainable city. Most families and individuals would be reducing energy use such that each would be consuming only as much energy as would be both sustainable and affordable.

   

  6. TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO THE ADULT HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT U OF MD, 1.7pp  A suggestion that a van and driver be provided Greenbelt seniors, 55 and older, for attending the twice-yearly Adult Health and Education Program (AHDP) at U of MD in College Park. Each senior would be teamed up with a student for 9 Saturday mornings in activities relating to health, aging, recreation, exercise, socializing etc.

   

  The following are summaries of a set of developed Greenbelt Visioning suggestions which one individual has provided. Printouts are available in the Municipal Center.

  1. THE BEST THAT GREENBELT CAN BE 30 YEARS FROM NOW, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Greenbelt is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and are becoming, as well as what Greenbelt wants to become. The experiences of similar cities would be accessed.

  2. STUDYING SPRINGHILL LAKE, 1.5pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would comprehensively identify what Springhill Lake (SHL) is and is becoming, as well as what its problems are and potentially will become…

  3. SPRINGHILL LAKE CITY, 2.0pp  A suggestion that doctoral research would examine and define how Springhill Lake has historically been governed; identify the problems that have evolved and that persist which might be the result of unsuccessful government; explore whether self-governing might be better; explore successful and unsuccessful self-governing attempts elsewhere.

  4. CRIME MANAGEMENT AS A TOP POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PRIORITY WITHIN GREENBELT, 5.7pp  Greenbelt needs to take on an attitude of “Crime will not dictate what any parts of Greenbelt will become…”  a) Research would be conducted as to applicability of the prevalent sources of crime to the Greenbelt experience, as well as to levels of success in crime management in other regions.
  b) Nearly all City funding would go into Crime Management until there was increasing success.

  5. Greenbelt’s Energy Future, 2.2pp
  Enjoying national recognition as a model city, we could also become a model sustainable city. Most families and individuals would be reducing energy use such that each would be consuming only as much energy as would be both sustainable and affordable.

  6. TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO THE ADULT HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT U OF MD, 1.7pp  A suggestion that a van and driver be provided Greenbelt seniors, 55 and older, for attending the twice-yearly Adult Health and Education Program (AHDP) at U of MD in College Park. Each senior would be teamed up with a student for 9 Saturday mornings in activities relating to health, aging, recreation, exercise, socializing etc.