Annual Report 2002

Canton Community Association (CCA) is an IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt, not-for-profit, all-volunteer neighborhood organization for those who live, work, or play within Canton. CCA, which was launched in May 1999, seeks to establish Canton as the preeminent waterfront community in Baltimore for our residents, merchants, and visitors. CCA is committed to promoting and protecting the beauty, safety, stability, cleanliness, social, and economic viability of the neighborhood by fostering alliances with the local residents, merchants, and government officials. CCA seeks to represent the community interests as a single voice. Our boundaries are Eastern Avenue (north), S. Conkling Street (east), S. Chester Street (west), and Boston Street and the waterfront (south). CCA welcomes the participation and support of adjoining neighborhood organizations.

Currently CCA hosts public meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except August and December) at the Canton United Methodist Church, 1000 S. Ellwood Avenue, from 7 - 9 p.m. Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month (except August) at the some location, and are open to the public. The public meetings consist of general business, presentations from local business owners, new building proposals from developers, question and answer sessions with state and local representatives, and community development issues, including strengthening police protection, controlling rodent populations, cleaning up the community, greening the neighborhood with street trees, and fostering economic development. Board meetings primarily consist of reports presented by CCA’s various committees, which include Crime and Public Safety, Education, Economic Development, Neighborhood Development, Membership, and Marketing. CCA also produces a quarterly newsletter and has a website (www.cantoncommunity.org).

Operating revenue comes from annual membership dues, business membership dues, special neighborhood fundraising programs, grants, merchandise, and advertising space in the newsletter. CCA had more than 300 members in 2002 and expects to exceed 350 members in 2003.

2002 Successes

Neighborhood Cleanups – Ongoing cleanup projects for O’Donnell Square, Canton Waterfront Park, and the Canton Public Library Reading Garden, all using local volunteers; Initiating every fourth Saturday Cleanup Day in Canton, with each month a new residential area of Canton selected as the cleanup site.

Security Lighting for Seniors – Through a grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Prevention and Control, CCA installed eight security lights for needy senior citizens to help deter crime.

Silent Auction – November 12. CCA sponsored a Silent Auction Fundraiser at a local restaurant raising more than $1,600 in donations to support neighborhood development efforts.

Dog Competition – October 27. CCA’s event, “Howl-A-Ween” Fancy Dress Dog Competition at The Can Company, raised more than $3,000 to support the Canton Dog Park. The competition is an annual fundraising event for the park. Special recognition to Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc. for their generous, continuing support for this event and the Canton Dog Park.

Canton Dog Park – September 21. CCA opened the Canton Dog Park, the first official park of its kind in Baltimore. The park has become a model for others like it in the city. Improvements are planned for the spring of 2003.

Light Up Canton – December 7. Father Kolbe School Choir provided entertainment while business owners and the Canton Garden Association decorated the lampposts in O’Donnell Square. CCA organized the event to promote holiday business in Canton.

Community Action Grants – Residents are encouraged to do neighborhood improvement projects on their own through CCA’s Community Action Grants. In 2002, CCA donated $500 to the Penner’s Park Development effort and more than $250 to provide trashcans in alleyways.

Maryland Home & Garden Pilgrimage – May 4. CCA provided volunteers to support the home tour event, with proceeds of more than $7,000 used to support Friends of O’Donnell Square and their O’Donnell Square improvement efforts.

CCA Committees

Neighborhood Development Committee – Fourth Saturday of the month neighborhood cleanup project. Block Representatives to disseminate CCA information to residents. Respond to quality of life issues. Beautification projects such as tree plantings.

Crime and Public Safety Committee – Communicating citizen concerns to Police, Fire, State’s Attorney’s Office, and other Baltimore City officials.

Education Committee – Provides a forum for educators, administrators, and residents to discuss public education issues in Canton.

Economic Development Committee – Evaluates/facilitates new projects and brings projects to public meetings for community input and votes. Parking survey to help ease congestion in Canton.

Marketing and Development Committee – Obtains operating funds for all projects by several means including grants, events (House and Garden Tour, Raffles, Silent Auctions), membership dues and donations. Publishes a quarterly newsletter. Oversees the website. Promotes the neighborhood.

Membership Committee – Recruits new members. Plans and coordinates annual “Meet ‘N’ Eat” outdoor neighborhood party.

Continuing Community Involvement Included

· Provides volunteers to help with street tree planting efforts in Canton, Butchers Hill, and Upper Fells Point neighborhoods.

· Sponsors organized Fourth Saturday cleanups in O’Donnell Square, the Canton branch of the Enoch Pratt Library, the “tot lot” in Dypski Park, and selected streets.

· Organizes annual meetings that provide the community a chance to meet with their elected representatives on Baltimore City Council and Maryland Assembly.

· Publishes a quarterly newsletter providing the community with news about development projects, new businesses, and neighborhood events.

· Represents the community through participation with the South East Community Organization (SECO), South East Community Development Corporation (SECDC), Waterfront Coalition, Presidents Council, and Downtown Partnership.

· Supports and encourages responsible dog care through the Canton Dog Park and the annual “Fancy Dress Dog Competition” at The Can Company.

· Enhances the community’s relationship with its public schools by coordinating student-resident outreach activities.

· Supports the Friends of O’Donnell Square and the Friends of the Canton Library.

· Works with the Canton Garden Association.

· Maintains the CCA website, www.cantoncommunity.org, which informs residents and new visitors to Canton about local happenings, businesses, and promotes waterfront living in Canton.

Canton Community Association

P.O. Box 5125

Baltimore, MD 21224

Voice mail: (410) 342-0900