The City Council will finish its FY 2025 budget deliberations with three scheduled budget reconciliation sessions and a public hearing. April 2024 Budget Schedule Wednesday, April 17–7:30 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium (Budget Reconciliation) Wednesday, April 24–7:30 p.m. in the Community Center Auditorium (Regular Meeting and Budget Reconciliation). Also on April 24, the City Council will hold the second public hearing on the budget. The public hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be taken up. The public is encouraged t ..read more

Arbor Day Celebration Join the Urban Forest Manager in celebrating Arbor Day on April 20 at the Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park Playground.  We will be offering two ‘Tree Walks’ to learn some fun facts and identification features of some of the trees in the area.  We will also have a table set up with information on the City’s Urban Forestry programs and all the ways you can promote trees and tree canopy. Date: Saturday, April 20 Place: Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, near the bottom of Houston Ave and Kennebec Ave Tree walk times: 10:15 AM – Reserve your spot on Eventbrite! 11 ..read more

by Marty Frye, Urban Forest Manager April is a special time for tree lovers. The soil is warming up, the buds are ready to burst into a rainbow of flowers and leaves, and our trees awaken from their wintery slumber to start stretching their limbs. First comes the glow of the red maple flowers and the shimmery white of the serviceberry flowers, followed by cherries, redbuds, pawpaws, tulip trees, lindens, and more! To mark this rebirth, we celebrate Arbor Day. Officially, National Arbor Day is April 26—but here in Takoma Park, we celebrate it on Saturday, April 20, in conjunction with Earth Day ..read more

How to (Gently) Fight Plants with Plants: Using native plants to crowd out invasives- Presented by Nancy Lawson What: Free Presentation When: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM Where: Takoma Park Community Center (Main Auditorium). 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 You’ve decided to start or expand your native plant garden for the good of the animals and the environment. Great move! But there’s just one problem: You’re staring down at a yard replete with stiltgrass, garlic mustard, English ivy, and other invasive species. How can you remove these plants that harm wildlife and their ha ..read more

  Who can get lead poisoning? Children from 6 months to 6 years old are the main victims of lead poisoning. But anyone who eats, drinks, or breathes something that has too much lead can get lead poisoning. Lead tends to build up in the body over time. So someone who takes in only small amounts of lead can gradually develop lead poisoning. A pregnant woman should also know that lead carried in her blood can pass to her unborn child. How does lead affect health? A child who consumes a dangerous amount of lead may seem to be well. However, lead can affect the brain, causing learning disabili ..read more

Mayur Dance Company: Anjali-An Offering Friday, May 3 at 7:30 pm Takoma Park Community Center   7500 Maple Avenue Free Performance     With intricate rhythmic footwork, lyrical movements, and elaborate costumes, the dancers of the Mayur Dance Company perform classical dances from the ancient Odissi tradition inspired by ancient Sanskrit texts and Hindu temple carvings in India. Odissi dance, which explores religious stories and ideas emanating from the Indian state of Orissa, was suppressed during British colonial rule but has remerged since India’s independence in po ..read more

Bike Werks will be onsite to perform brake adjustments, derailleur adjustments, lubrication and tire inflation at no charge. If parts are needed (brake pads, cables, tubes, chains, tubes, etc…), they will be available to buy onsite, and installation of those parts is covered by your home town City of Takoma Park! Where will we be? The Crossroads Farmers Market April: 24, May: 1, 2 & 15, between 10:30AM to 2:30PM The Takoma Park Farmers Market (by the bike rack closest to the entrance) May: 5 & 12, between 10:00AM to 2:00PM You can also stop by on Bike to Work Day! Bike Werks will als ..read more

  The City of Takoma Park’s Community Quality of Life Grants Program provides financial support for specific programs, projects, and events that improve the quality of life for City residents by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences. Nonprofit organizations serving residents of Takoma Park are encouraged to apply for funding to support Arts, STEM, or STEAM programs that will take place between July 1. 2024 and June 30, 2025.  Grant Details Awards will range from $5,000 to $10,000, with a total of $50,000 available in the grant pool. Th ..read more

From Montgomery Planning (M-NCPPC) On April 2, the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment! The plan preserves and expands affordable housing and advances economic development and employment opportunities in a section of the City of Takoma Park from the Takoma Park Community Center in the west to the Erie Center and Washington Adventist University and the former Washington Adventist Hospital site in the east. Read Montgomery Planning’s press release about the plan’s approval for more information. Read the Takoma Park City Council’s March 22 ..read more

by Sean Gossard New Takoma Park City Manager Robert DiSpirito announced a slate of promotions last month, moving two acting deputy city managers into permanent positions and naming a director of Housing & Community Development. David Eubanks will serve as permanent deputy city manager for external operations—including overseeing the Housing & Community Development, Public Works, Library, and Recreation departments—while also being the first go-to to serve as acting city manager during any of DiSpirito’s temporary absences. “I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to conti ..read more