Neighborhood Notes: May 2026
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CCA Public Meeting May 19
The CCA will host a hybrid Public Meeting on May 19 at 6:30 pm. We’re going to fill you in on CCA news and we’ll field some questions, too. Join us in person at Church on the Square at 1025 S. Potomac Ave. or watch online on our FB page. To submit a question in advance, please email info@cantoncommunity.org.
Free Community Pitch-In / Dumpster Day
The CCA is hosting a Community Pitch-In Day featuring a FREE community dumpster on Saturday, May 30. The dumpster will be located on Lakewood Ave just north of Boston St., alongside the Safeway from approximately 9:00 am until full. (Start time may vary as it’s contingent upon DPW’s schedule.) Plan to go early as it usually fills fast. All are invited to Dumpster Dive to divert waste from our landfill as well. New rules apply for 2025, in particular no large appliances, construction debris or yard waste.
Acceptable materials at the dump include household trash, furniture, cans, glass, plastics, paper, and cardboard. No toxic or hazardous waste.
Unacceptable materials include paint, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, acids, caustics, gasoline, mercury thermometers/thermostats, syringes, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, helium tanks, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, metal, yard waste, construction debris, automotive waste/parts, and any other solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that is regulated as hazardous by State or federal law. No “white goods” to include refrigerators, freezers, ovens, washing machines, and dryers.
Are you a dumpster diver? This is also a great opportunity to score items to recycle, reuse, and repurpose. Come on out and take a look!
Canco Open Air Markets
Join us at Canco for an Open Air Market on Sunday, May 31 from 9-noon. The market will feature an exciting mix of vendors offering everything from fresh florals and coffee to handmade pasta, jewelry, candles, and so much more. Sundays May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27th and October 25 at 2400 Boston Street. To vend hello@cancobaltimore.com.
Kids Rock Painting at Dypski Park
Join the CCA for a fun morning of creativity at Dypski Park! On Saturday, May 9 from 10 AM–Noon, kids can decorate rocks using colorful paint markers and take their creations home or leave them around the neighborhood to brighten someone’s day. The event is free, and materials will be provided—just bring your imagination. Best for kids ages 3–12. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. If you can, please RSVP in advance to help us get a head count. Dypski Park is located at 1213 S. Ellwood Ave.
Free Chess Lessons for Kids
Join Spencer, a nationally ranked young player, for fun and friendly chess lessons at the Canton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Stop by Saturday, April 23 from 3–4:30 PM or Saturday, May 15 from 1–2:30 PM at 1030 S. Ellwood Ave. All skill levels are welcome—drop in, learn a few moves, and play a game or two!
CCA & Bloom Box Spring Fundraiser
The Canton Community Association is pleased to announce our 2026 Spring Fundraiser in partnership with BloomBox! BloomBox is a local online garden center that sells perennials, planted containers, shrubs, trees, bagged soil and mulch, herbs and veggies, hanging baskets, and more. Order online, then your items will be delivered by hand, right to your home!
BloomBox will donate 15% of your purchase amount directly to us. What a great way to support a local business and the CCA!
Here’s how you can participate.
Visit www.getblooming.com on your computer or cell phone
Shop for perennials, hanging baskets, herbs, and more, add them to your shopping cart and head to the checkout page
On the checkout page, you need to enter our unique code CantonCA15 into the ‘fundraising code’ box.
After you order, BloomBox will hand-deliver your purchase directly to your home within 3 to 5 business days. It’s that easy!
Our fundraising event runs through May 15, 2026, during which time you can order as many times as you like. Head over to www.getblooming.com to place your order!
Kinetic Sculpture Race
The American Visionary Art Museum’s popular Kinetic Sculpture Race is May 3. Ordinary people build extraordinary human-powered, all-terrain, artful contraptions to race over land, water, sand & mud and you’re all invited to join the fun! This wacky event starts at the AVAM, goes to Canton Waterfront Park, then parades north to Patterson Park. This is a don’t-miss event for SE Bmore!! DETAILS
Wine at Sunset
Friends of Patterson Park hosts their annual fundraiser, Wine at Sunset, on Thursday, May 21 from 6-9 pm. This event features wine tastings and small bites from some of Baltimore’s favorite restaurants as well as live music by Rob Fahey – all to benefit Patterson Park! For more info and tickets.
Music on the Square Concert Series
Music on the Square Concert Series continues May 8 as Lettia VanSant hosts an intimate evening with some of Baltimore’s finest songwriters. Details and Tickets here or visit www.facebook.com/musicotsquare for more information. The concert series is held every month at Church on the Square located at 1025 S. Potomac Street.
Canton Canopy Spring Planting
Canton Canopy is a volunteer group working with the CCA to increase the trees in Canton. Join them May 9 for their Spring Planting #2. They’ll have tools, gloves, coffee, and donuts… all they need is you! For details, like them on Facebook.
Dypski Park Reservations
Dypski Park, at 1213 S. Ellwood Ave., features a newly renovated playground with modern play equipment, rubber safety surfacing, shade structures, and plenty of space for kids to play. Neighbors interested in reserving Dypski Park for a kid’s party or other special event should contact Shawnte Minor and Ashley Bush at BCRP Permits and Special Events at 410-396-7070 or email park.permits@baltimorecity.gov. The office is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed on Thursdays. Further details on obtaining a permit can be found at https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/permitshome and https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/private-events.
Volunteer with Thread
Looking to give back and make a meaningful impact in Baltimore? Volunteering with Thread is an opportunity to support a young person and be changed in the process. Founded in Baltimore in 2004, Thread connects ninth-grade students facing significant challenges with small groups of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life. Together, they build lasting relationships and a strong support network to help young people achieve their goals. Thread offers flexible volunteer opportunities near where you live or work. Whether you enjoy mentoring youth or organizing groups, there’s a role for you. If you can send a text, make a call, or spend an hour connecting—you can make a difference. Learn more and get involved: www.thread.org.
Reporting and Preventing Crime – Tip Line
The Baltimore City Police Department asks neighbors to report crimes via this TIP email: SEDtips@baltimorepolice.org. Security camera footage and photos should be included.
OPEN / CLOSED
Wanna Smash, a new restaurant featuring premium wagyu smash burgers, is now open at 3500 O’Donnell Street. For more info, visit https://www.wannasmashbaltimore.com/.
CCA NEWS
CCA goes to Annapolis
CCA Board Members John Ford, Maura Taylor and Doug Kaufman visited the State House in Annapolis as part of a group of community leaders to observe the Maryland General Assembly. The group met Senate President Bill Ferguson for a tour of the Senate Office Building and guided tour of the State House. It was great to see them in action!
VIP TICKET GIVEAWAY TO FIRST THURSDAY!
WTMD returns for their 21st season of First Thursdays free concerts at Canton Waterfront Park on Thursday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. We’re giving one lucky CCA member 2 VIP tickets to the show! To be eligible, sign up as a new member or renew your current membership to the Canton Community Association on/before 5 pm on Monday, June 1 at https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us. The region’s largest free outdoor music festival will continue July 9, August 6 and September 3, 2026. There are food and beverage vendors on-site. No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted. DETAILS
CCA Public Meetings 2026
February 17, May 19, September 15, and November 17
Meetings are held at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon St. and live-streamed on the CCA Facebook page.
CCA Free Community Pitch-In / Dumpster Days 2026
The CCA hosts a Community Pitch-In Day featuring a FREE community dumpster 4x a year. 2026 days include March 7 and May 30, plus 2 more dates TBD. The dumpster will be located near 1011 S. Lakewood Ave, alongside Safeway just north of Boston Street from approximately 9:00 am until noon or until full. Plan to go early, as it usually fills fast.
CCA Merchandise
Need a gift for a new baby? Make a hoodie for a graduating senior? Or how about a hat for yourself? If you want to support the CCA and look sharp, too, you can purchase CCA merchandise including onesies, hats, long-sleeve lightweight hoodies, CCA foldable/reusable tote bags, tumblers, and more at Canton Ace Hardware at 1022 Binney Street.
Become a CCA Member
Joining the CCA is a gateway to meeting neighbors and supporting local businesses in our community. Meet awesome people and learn about our neighborhood and how you can engage to not only have fun but help others, too. You’ll also receive a subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, Life in Canton, and some cool CCA merch. Individual memberships start at only $10/year; business memberships at $250. For details, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us.
CCA Social Media - Follow Us!
For the latest information about our neighborhood and other helpful community/city news, please follow our CCA pages on social media. Instagram @CCA_Baltimore and Facebook.