This week I celebrated two significant milestones for Baltimore's communities.  On Tuesday, I joined Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, Congressman John Sarbanes, and Associate Regional Director Maryanne Gerbaukus with the National Park Service, to celebrate Baltimore's designation to the National Heritage Area.   Yesterday, I was joined by Councilman Bernard "Jack" Young, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, Kevin Concannon, and Senator Nathaniel McFadden to celebrate a group of passionate workers, who transformed a vacant lot in the Oliver community into a lush garden.  Though very different, both events were examples of how connected we are as a community.  The hidden jewels that make up Baltimore are gifts given to us all.  How we preserve and protect them will tell the story of our communities long after our individual stories have ended.

Baltimore is now one of 49 National Heritage Areas within 32 states across the country.  So what does this designation mean?  It means Baltimore's historic and cultural attractions will receive Federal support - up to $10 million in federal funding over 15 years - through financial and technical support from the National Park Service.  It also means better experiences for our residents and visitors.  We have always known that our history in Baltimore is significant.  This designation strengthens and preserves the undeniable role our City has played in shaping our nation's history.
 
In the Oliver community, I celebrated a group of hard workers-members of the Oliver Neighborhood, employees of Fiskars, Home Depot, the Environmental Protection Agency and my "Cleaner, Greener" initiative-who transformed a vacant lot into a beautiful garden. This project is a part of Fiskars's (the leading scissors company) national Orange Thumb initiative.  Started in 2003, Project Orange Thumb is a grant program that provides community garden groups with the tools and materials they need to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education.     
 
In addition to a $50,000 investment, the team tilled and planted from early morning until late afternoon at the garden site in the Oliver neighborhood. Fiskars selected the Oliver neighborhood for the project and coordinated, developed, designed and managed the day-long makeover. Master Gardener Joe Lamp'l designed the site. The Home Depot donated all planting materials and supplies for the project and assisted with the garden design and installation. 
 
Several local organizations have agreed to be the garden stakeholders and stewards, including Mrs. Nina Harper and Mr. Lawrence Pulley of the Oliver Community Association and the Oliver Economic Development Corporation, Cynthia Gaymore, owner of the historic Locks Funeral Home, The Dawson Center's Pam Carter and Nicole Dixon, as well as, many other residents that have been working tirelessly to revitalize the area. 
 
Though the project took one day, it will have lasting effects.  Planting the seeds of this garden is the first step, but preserving the garden will take a persistent, purposeful commitment from the Oliver community-a symbol and inspiration for the perseverance needed to revitalize the entire community.
 
Thank you to all that contributed to both of these significant milestones in Baltimore's communities this week.  Preserving and taking pride in our City seems like a simple task and it is often overlooked as we go about our everyday lives.  But it is in caring for the hidden jewels in our City that we rush by everyday that our history is persevered and our own stories are told.
 
Sincerely,

Sheila Dixon
Mayor, Baltimore