Annual Report 2003

Canton Community Association (CCA) is an IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt, not-for-profit, all-volunteer neighborhood organization for those who live, rent, or own property 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 July, 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 same 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 Community Arts Development, Crime and Public Safety, Economic Development, Education, Liquor License, Marketing, Membership, Neighborhood Development and Parking and Transportation. 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 365 members in 2003 and expects to exceed 400 members in 2004.

2003 Successes

Canton Cares Campaign – This campaign was launched on April 23 to educate the Canton community, via public awareness materials, on the proper procedure for trash removal, sanitation tips, rodent control, and other health and safety related issues.

Porch Lights for the Elderly – CCA installed eight security porch lights for needy senior citizens to help deter crime.

Lecture on Screen Painting – April 16. CCA’s Community Arts Development Committee organized a lecture by screen artist Tom Lipka at the Canton Library to enhance our knowledge of a uniquely Canton artwork.

Where in Canton? Contest – June through December. To promote the CCA website, the CCA created a monthly contest where each month a picture from Canton’s past or present was featured. The first person each month to correctly answer the question on the website was awarded a Canton matted print. All correct entries were entered into a grand prize drawing that took place at the first public meeting of 2004.

Dog Competition – October 25. CCA’s event, “Howl-A-Ween” Fancy Dress Dog Competition at The Can Company, raised more than $1100 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 – CCA continued to operate and improve the Canton Dog Park, which included installing two benches, adding containers filled with plants, adding notice boards, and increasing the number of trash containers. Canton's canines (and their human companions) appreciate the safety of running off leash in the two fenced areas: one for large dogs and one for small and/or older dogs. As Baltimore City's only official dog park, many people and their dogs travel from outside Canton (and the city!) to enjoy the Canton Dog Park.

Light Up Canton – December 6. Father Kolbe School Choir provided entertainment while business owners joined in the festivities 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 2003, CCA approved seven grants totaling $3500 to the help the following projects: plant street trees in several different areas in Canton, install garden containers to improve a block, and fund athletic projects for both Father Kolbe School and Hampstead Hill Elementary School.

Angle Parking – CCA’s Parking and Transportation Committee worked with the parking authority to help create angle parking spots throughout Canton.

Patterson Park Playground – The CCA donated $1000 to help Patterson Park create a playground for children in the area to use.

CCA Committees

Business Membership – Recruits annual memberships for businesses and nonprofit groups.

Community Arts Development - Supports arts in the community.

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

Economic Development – Evaluates/facilitates new projects and brings projects to public meetings for community input and votes.

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

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

Liquor License – addresses issues related to businesses licensed to sell alcohol in Canton.

Marketing and Development – Obtains operating funds for 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.

Neighborhood Development Committee – Recruits Block Representatives to disseminate CCA information to residents. Responds to quality of life issues. Initiates beautification projects such as tree plantings. Created the Canton Cares Campaign.

Parking and Transportation – addresses public transportation needs and solutions for the community and its visitors.

Continuing Community Involvement Included

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

· Organizes annual meetings that provide the community a chance to meet with their elected representatives on Baltimore City Council and Maryland General 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), Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association, 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, Friends of Patterson Park 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

www.cantoncommunity.org

info@cantoncommunity.org