CCA in Action: 2025 Year in Review & Looking Ahead to 2026
/
Dear Canton Community Members,
As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make this a strong and meaningful year for the Canton Community Association (CCA). From our volunteers and committee members to our partners and neighbors, your time, energy, and care for Canton make everything we do possible.
Highlights from 2025
In 2025, the CCA focused on steady leadership, strong partnerships, and growing volunteer support. Together, we:
Welcomed new volunteers who strengthened our committees and expanded our capacity.
Successfully wrapped up the Public Safety Cameras grant, helping support safety across the neighborhood.
Partnered with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation to advance traffic and pedestrian safety improvements.
Worked with Bloom Box and Raw & Refined on fundraisers that supported the CCA.
Kept the community informed through social media, our website, and our monthly e-newsletter.
Connected with residents and local businesses through pop-up events and in-person outreach.
Improved live-streamed meetings with technology upgrades so more neighbors can participate.
Launched Project ODSP and secured a $100,000 grant to redesign the center of O’Donnell Square Park.
Continued greening efforts at the I Wonder Garden, Two Rivers Park, and through Canton Canopy.
Supported the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance in installing a historic marker honoring individuals enslaved on the Canton plantation.
Looking Ahead to 2026
In 2026, the CCA will continue building a welcoming, inclusive, and connected Canton. Our priorities include:
Moving Project ODSP forward, with plans to break ground on improvements to the center of O’Donnell Square Park
Maintaining the Public Safety Cameras Project to continue supporting community safety.
Supporting greening efforts by hosting neighborhood clean-ups and sharing information about tree plantings, composting, and other community initiatives.
Supporting local schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Continuing the work of the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance to promote equity and inclusion.
Co-hosting candidate forum(s) to encourage civic engagement.
Growing CCA membership and taking part in community-wide events like Sail 250 and WTMD First Thursdays.
Get Involved
Our committees, from Public Safety and Parks to Marketing, Membership, Transportation, Economic Development and more, offer plenty of ways to participate. Whether you have a few hours a month or a specific passion, you can help make Canton an even better place to live. Join the CCA with an individual or business membership to volunteer, share ideas, or just stay connected.
Mark your calendars for our 2026 public meetings: February 17, May 19, September 15, and November 17. To volunteer or learn more, email us at info@CantonCommunity.org.
Thank you for your support—here’s to a bright year ahead!
Amanda Bourgeois, CCA President
Amanda Bourgeois, President
2025 Accomplishments:
Recruited new volunteers for committees
Managed grant to oversee ongoing Project ODSP w/community partners
Led the Public Safety Cameras Project managing the placement locations and installation
Met with City Council to discuss EV station legislation and installation
Increased communications with CCA Individual and Business members
Represented the CCA at pop-ups to meet neighbors
Visited new businesses to introduce the CCA including Kneads, Wonder, Pusser’s Landing
2026 Goals:
Strive to foster a more welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Canton
Continue to engage with our community to meet neighbors and recruit volunteers for committees
Increase communications with CCA Individual and Business members
Help facilitate a community-driven plan to redesign O’Donnell Square Park, and implement the grant funding to complete Project ODSP.
Partner with Canton Ace Hardware, the Loading Dock, and other businesses and nonprofits for community projects
Joe Koehler, Treasurer
2025 Accomplishments
Reconciled all 2025 P&L activity and ensured accurate monthly reporting
Effectively replaced the outside CPA upon her retirement with preparation and filing of required tax documents and then other new compliance matters with President
Maintained financial transparency and ensured timely payment of expenses and obligations while managing cash flow during longer wait times from the State for grant funding.
2026 Goals
Continue fulfilling all Treasurer duties, including maintaining accurate financial records.
Provide monthly financial reports and updates at all board meetings.
Volunteer at more CCA/community events, cleanups, and public safety activities.
Support efforts to grow participation in the Block Captain Program and Community COP Walks, while working with the Membership Committee to increase funding through memberships, business sponsorships, and donations.
Increase membership revenue by 30% in 2026 with a focus on business sponsorship.
Denise Adversa, Secretary
2025 Accomplishments
Attended CCA Board and Public meetings as well as some Economic Development (EDC) meetings
Continue to record and send out meeting minutes in a timely manner
Manage letters of support for the CCA, document requests
Monitored CCA voicemails and directed them to officers and Board members as appropriate
Served as Block Captain sharing information with my neighbors via email and Facebook, organized block party
Volunteered at CCA community events including the Canton Day of Giving and Dumpster Days
Wrote and distributed CCA Holiday Cards
2026 Goals
Serve as secretary to attend and record CCA Board and Public meetings
Encourage more neighbors to join the CCA
Inform my neighbors by emailing the monthly newsletter and posting relevant information on our block's Facebook page
Adrienne Ekas, Education Chair
2025 Accomplishments
Worked with CCA President to provide administrative support and aid with communication including board meeting and public meeting speakers and agendas
Worked with school representatives to compile regular updates for Life In Canton, the CCA e-newsletter
Worked with CCA Marketing Committee to plan how to support and share information about our community schools
2026 Goals
Continue to spotlight Open Houses and ongoing information about school programs, events, fundraisers, etc. in the newsletter
Produce Community Education Fair
Recruit more members for the Education Committee
Work with Jim Hamilton of COTS to combine the education and family programming and come up with concrete plans to do so
Doug Kaufman, Economic Development Chair
2025 Accomplishments
Liaised and tracked communications between our community, builders, businesses and government
Continue to support the Neighborhood and the CCA by reviewing proposals and fostering communication with residents and developers
2026 Goals
Develop a new process which engages the support of other volunteers with admin tasks like writing letters, logging communication, etc.
Continue to support the Neighborhood and the CCA by reviewing proposals and fostering communication with residents and developers
Continue to co-host monthly EDC meetings
Jayne Miller Chair, Friends of Canton Dog Park Chair
2025 Accomplishments
Collaborated with community volunteers to maintain the park on a daily basis
Continued to address the water retention problem on the large dog side of the park
Installed first part of drain project to improve safety and health concerns
Worked with Council President Cohen’s office to facilitate communication between key city agencies, including BCRP, DPW, and DOT.
Expanded the CCA Commemorative Buy-A-Brick Program to include the Friends of Canton Dog Park, new bricks installed
Installed new Park Rules sign
2026 Goals
Continue to increase volunteer participation and work with the Friends of Canton Dog Park Committee
Work with BCRP to obtain permits to move forward to resolve the water retention/drain installation project
Replace old signs with new, clearer signs displaying park rules, hours, and more
Take care of significant maintenance/repair issues as they arise in the park
Maura Taylor, Board Member
2025 Accomplishments:
Planned community dumpster days resulting in the diversion of hundreds of pounds of metal and other items from the landfill
Volunteered at numerous CCA events
Worked with the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance
Assisted with Candidate’s Forum
2026 Goals
Execute four community dumpster days with the goal of more diversion from the dump
Assist with public meeting planning
Continue efforts to update CCA bylaws
Assist with membership recruitment
John P Ford, Board Member
2025 Accomplishments
Led Canton Anti-racism Alliance along with co-chair Julie Kichline
Championed the Historic Marker project memorializing individuals enslaved and revised the Canton History Timeline
Participated in the transportation committee meetings and emails
Compiled Google data live list of all businesses in the Canton neighborhood, set the query up to be re-run as needed
Attended all CCA board meetings and quarterly public meetings
Represented the CCA in community tabling events
Attended the transportation committee meetings as the Board representative
2026 Goals
Set 2026 agenda for the Canton Antiracism Alliance
Attend more volunteer activities in addition to the public meetings and board meetings
Work with Chris Broughton on the next steps for the transportation committee, especially in advising the Red Line project
Zach Spedden and Julie Kichline, Marketing/Newsletter
2025 Accomplishments
Helped co-plan, promote, and execute the Canton Day of Giving Toy & Food Drive
Increased membership via giveaways and promotions with WTMD, Hampstead Hill Academy, The Loading Dock, and Canton Ace Hardware
Informed and engaged the community via monthly e-newsletter and social media platforms
Produced CCA popups to increase community awareness and membership
Aided with streaming for the hybrid public meetings
Liaised communication and helped spread the word about the I Wonder Garden, Compost Initiative, Canton Canopy, Project ODSP, the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance, and other CCA-related community offshoots
2026 Goals
Engage residents and support Canton businesses and organizations through informative content via Life in Canton, social media, and select non-digital outreach.
Brainstorm and test new ways to expand awareness of the CCA, grow membership, and better support the community.\
Promote local nonprofits, volunteer opportunities, and CCA business members.
Expand CCA merchandise offerings and improve in-person merch sales at events.
Develop new strategies to recruit volunteers for CCA committees and special events.
Support marketing and promotion for Sail 250.
Recruit additional volunteers to assist with membership management and website updates.
Refresh promotional materials and merchandise for giveaways and outreach.
Interested in volunteering with the Marketing Committee? Email info@CantonCommunity.org.
Deborah Manarin, Membership / Social Chair
2025 Accomplishments
Distributed welcome packages to new members
Visited new businesses to share info about the CCA and recruit new members
Represented the CCA at community popup events
Met with HHA PTA member to discuss how the CCA can support the efforts at their school
2026 Goals
Engage with the community to increase membership and inclusion
Represent the CCA at community events
Brainstorm new events to support local businesses and engage neighbors
Encourage new members to join the committee
Transportation
2025 Accomplishments
Worked with DOT to implement pedestrian improvements at intersection of Boston Street, Hudson & Montford
Worked with Councilman Mark Parker's office and DOT to adjust plans and implement traffic calming on the 500-700 blocks of Ellwood
Continued work towards finalization of Greenway Trails Network
Continued push for Complete Streets (building roadways for all users, not just automobiles)
Worked with transit engineers to build out city cycle network and connect to existing infrastructure
Worked with representatives of MDOT, BDOT, and other neighborhood associations in planning the Red Line transit line
Worked with DOT to plan additional EV chargers in neighborhood
2026 Goals
Address more problem intersections within Canton with a focus on O’Donnell St to improve safety and traffic calming
Partner with the other waterfront community associations to move forward with the Red Line
Work with affected communities and transit engineers to build and improve the city’s cycle network
Work with DOT to complete the traffic calming on 500-700 S Ellwood
Work with DOT to complete the traffic calming, bus line improvements, and bike lane on Washington St from Aliceanna to St Lo Dr in Clifton Park
Finalize plans for new EV Chargers
Work with Councilman Parker's office to implement city EV charging network guidelines
Public Safety
2025 Accomplishments
Completed the $50k grant to expand the CCA Public Safety Camera Project to 20 locations in Canton
Maintained ongoing communication and information sharing with the Baltimore Police Department (SE Division)
Collaborated with other SE community leaders to plan and coordinate joint public safety initiatives
Continued promoting community engagement through existing neighborhood programs (e.g., Block Captain and Get Lit)
Goals 2026
Recruit more block captains and increase communication with them
Increase awareness of and participation in the Block Captain and Get Lit projects
Restart Community COP Walks with BPD (late winter and spring following public meetings to promote them)
Strengthen coordination with the Southeastern Police Community Relations Council (SEDP-CRC)
Restart regular Public Safety and Block Captain Meetings quarterly in the months without the COP Walks and Public Meetings
Canton Anti-Racism Alliance
2025 Accomplishments
The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance gathered like-minded community volunteers dedicated to affecting long-term, impactful changes to foster a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community
CCA Board Member John Ford led a project to add an historic marker memorializing individuals enslaved on the Canton Plantation
Hosted a Juneteenth Celebration featuring the dedication of a new historic marker memorializing 48 individuals enslaved on the Canton Plantation in 1805.
Continued reviewing the process of how to rename O’Donnell Square Park, removing the name of an enslaver
2026 Goals
Host bi-monthly meetings to brainstorm ideas and share progress reports
Facilitate more “Conversations With” local authors to provide expert-led educational virtual forums
Spotlight legislation and policies that support anti-racism, equity, and equality
Frame the proposed process for renaming O’Donnell Square Park and make it accessible to Canton residents
Continue outreach to engage new members and the community
Host 3rd Annual Freedom Walk or other Juneteenth-related event
Update the CCA website to include a dedicated page for Alliance information
Canton History Project (Dr. Raymond Bahr, Founder/Historian)
2025 Accomplishments
Worked with the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance toward obtaining a new historic marker that was installed during a Juneteenth Celebration Ceremony
2026 Goals
Form a committee to plan the 200th Anniversary (in 2028) of the Canton Company, which was considered the earliest, most successful Industrial Park Development in America's History
Continue to work with the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance on future Juneteenth events
Continue to work to have the Railroad Transfer Bridge designated a National Historic Landmark
Kurt Hoffman and Alex Levas, CCA Park Committee Co-Chairs
2025 Accomplishments
Organized and participated in community cleanups at Canton Parks (ODSP, Two Rivers)
Organized trash pickups along Boston Street and at Canton Waterfront Park
Volunteered at CCA events
2026 Goals
Organize and lead community cleanups at O'Donnell Square Park (ODSP)
Collaborate with other neighbors to organize and oversee cleanups at other Canton parks
Recruit cleanup volunteers and new CCA members
Canton Canopy
(Lead Volunteers: Chad Epler and Myron Burkholder)
2025 Accomplishments
Planted 75 trees (replacements + new pits) in Canton and Brewer’s Hill
Used CCA Greening Fund money to hire a contractor to open new tree pits
Weeded, mulched, and watered existing trees
Hosted additional weeding and mulching events
Recruited new volunteers
Great efforts by many dedicated volunteers
2026 Goals
Pursue multiple grants to open new tree pits and expand undersized pits
Coordinate with City Forestry to remove dead trees and stumps for new planting
Plant more replacement trees and new trees
Continue weeding, watering, mulching, and pruning efforts
Host planting, weeding, and pruning volunteer events
Encourage and recruit new volunteers
Neighbors can donate to Canton Canopy through the CCA to support future greening efforts. Follow on Facebook and Instagram for updates on events.
I Wonder Garden
(Lead Volunteer: Stephen Washington)
2025 Accomplishments
Installed new fencing around plots
Cleaned and maintained pathways
Led volunteer cleanups
Recruited new volunteers
Continued community plot rentals
Encouraged regular cleanups from plot holders and volunteers
Purchased new equipment to help with garden maintenance
Continued the Community Compost Drop Off Station
Maintained interior composting for the plot holders
2026 Goals
Maintain community plot rentals
Keep common area clean
Maintained interior composting for the plot holders
Partner with Target for a Spring Clean Up
Encourage new volunteers
Revise guidelines for community plot rentals
Transfer plot rental responsibilities to a new volunteer
Continue compost initiative
Apply for more grant funding to support the Compost Initiative
Work with DPW to add I Wonder as a regular trash pickup location
To join the CCA, visit www.CantonCommunity.org/join-us. To volunteer, https://www.cantoncommunity.org/volunteer.