WEEKLY BULLETIN | October 28, 2022

Ghostly Gathering & Movie Night

October 28 | 5:00 - 8:30PM | Duvall Field

Join us for a fun-filled night celebrating Halloween - No need to be afraid!

We’ll be screening the original Ghostbusters movie when it gets dark enough (around 6:30 PM), so bring blankets or a chair to sit in.

Before then, we will have a bounce house, an insect petting zoo, apple cider, treats, and some tricks!

City Receives Sustainable Maryland Award

The City of College Park is pleased to announce that it received the Sustainable Maryland Certified Award during the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML) Fall Conference on October 13, 2022. The City was certified at the Silver Level. This is the fourth time that the City has received the award, after its first certification in 2013.



“The City is thrilled to receive this Sustainable Maryland award and to be recognized for all of our efforts in conservation, sustainability, and positive community impact,” said Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn. “As a Sustainable Maryland Certified municipality, the City has introduced and expanded services that divert items from the landfill, began work to increase our tree canopy, and efforts to educate residents on water runoff to reduce pollutants in our waterways. Thank you to all who have helped us achieve this award.”

 Learn more here. 

Redistricting 2022

On October 25, 2022 the Mayor and Council introduced two ordinances on redistricting.

Ordinance 22-O-09 would use the October Plan 1 map for the new district boundaries, and Ordinance 22-O-10 would use Plan 3A for the new district boundaries. There will be a public hearing on these ordinances during the Council Meeting on November 15th. The Council could vote to adopt one of the ordinances at that meeting after the public hearing or could vote at a later meeting.

You can view the two maps at https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/186/Boards-Commissions#RDC and send comments to RedistrictingCommission2022@collegeparkmd.gov. 

Additional information about the redistricting process is at www.collegeparkmdredistricting2022.com. The interactive maps will be updated next week with the October Plan 1 map and map 3A.  

Curbside Food Scrap Collection

Great news! The curbside collection of food scraps will begin Tuesday, November 15^th.

This new voluntary program will divert organic materials, that are not waste, out of our landfill and will reduce harmful greenhouse gases emitted from organic decomposition in landfills, which contributes to climate change. 

Residents can sign up on a rolling basis – join at www.collegeparkmd.gov/curbsidecollectionapp.

• The collection day is Tuesday throughout the city.
• If you haven’t purchased or picked up your containers, stop by Public Works, Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Please don’t start collecting food scraps until November 9.
• If you have questions please check www.collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps or call Public Works 240-487-3590.  

2022 Gubernatorial Election

The 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Polls are opens from 7am to 8pm.

Click here if you have questions about your polling location or early voting centers.

Click here if you have questions about which county, state, or congressional district you are in after Maryland redistricting.

Construction Notice

Expect delays on Rhode Island Avenue between Muskogee Street and Odessa Road, due to milling and paving operations as part of the Hollywood Commercial District Streetscape Project.”

Washington Gas 

Resurface Inc., contractor for Washington Gas, will be working on street repairs in the 9800-Block of 51^st Avenue next week, weather permitting. Parking restrictions have been posted by the contractor.

Please contact engineering@collegeparkmd.gov with any questions.

PEPCO Electric Line Clearance

PEPCO planned electric line clearance work to be performed by Asplundh, PEPCO’s contracted tree company. The planned work includes tree pruning and eight tree removals in the following areas: Mowatt Lane, Knox Road in Lord Calvert Manor and Old Town, Rhode Island Avenue in Old Town, Lakeland & Berwyn (along the trolley trail), and Greenbelt Road between Route 1 and University Blvd. Permission has been granted and approved for tree removals included in the planned work. Replacement trees will be provided and planted at a later date.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Move with the Mayor

October 29 | 9am | Paint Branch Trail

Come #MovewiththeMayor at parkrun this Saturday! Join Mayor Patrick Wojahn by running or walking at tomorrow's 10/29 parkrun starting at 9am on the Paint Branch Trail. More details about parkrun (including map, parking, etc) are available here.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 29 | 10:00am-2:00pm | 7569 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20742

The University of Maryland Police Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

During this event, members of the community can safely dispose of their unwanted, unused and/or expired prescription drugs at the Pocomoke Building (7965 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD). This service is free and anonymous. No questions asked.

Collection sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted. DEA will accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed. 

Pumpkin Carving Challenge

October 10 - 31

Let’s give College Park pumpkin to talk about, with the City of College Park Pumpkin Carving Challenge! 

Residents have from Oct.10 through Oct. 31^st to carve their best Jack-O-Lanterns and submit their entries online. To make a submission, please fill out this form entirely. 

Please include your name, address, who helped carve your jack-o-lantern, and the name of your creation. 

We will post our favorites on the City’s Facebook account and our website and will be awarding 1st place prizes to our favorites! Make sure to like your favorites!  

Veteran's Day

November 11 | 11am | Veterans Memorial

The City of College Park will honor all veterans who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, both in times of war and peace.

Celebrate Veterans Day with us at the Veterans Memorial in College Park to honor the brave men and women for their commitment to our nation.

Please note that by participating in City events, you acknowledge and assume all risks and liabilities including possible exposure to illnesses, including but not limited to COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

SmartLeaf Compost and Wood Mulch

Compost is $28.00 per cubic yard, and wood mulch is $12.00 per cubic yard. Material may be picked up Mon.-Fri. between 8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Deliveries are finished for the season, but material is available year-round (while supplies last) at the Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, MD 20740.

For more information on compost click here, or wood mulch click here. For further questions, please call 240-487-3593.

For more information about purchasing Compost or Wood Mulch please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/gardens.

City Tree Programs

Trees provide many benefits such as reduction of cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increasing property values and improving air quality. The City offers a few ways to help. More information is available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/trees. Fall street tree planning is happening now, send in your requests! 

REQUESTS FOR STREET TREES: The City has a program that pays for and provides street tree planting in the right-of-way area, which includes the grass strip between the curb and sidewalk. College Park residents interested in requesting a tree can contact Brenda Alexander at 240-487-3590 or horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov. The location will be inspected to determine if it is suitable.

TREE CANOPY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TCEP): City of College Park property owners can apply for reimbursement of up to $150.00 annually, for approved tree(s) planted on their residential lot. The completed application should be sent to horticulturist@collegeparkmd.gov for review and approval. Click here for a link to the guidelines and application.

TREE MAINTENANCE The City is responsible for tree maintenance in the rights-of-way, City maintained buildings and parks, and on public property. Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.

Urban Tree Protection: Ordinance 21-O-09

This Ordinance requires an application to be submitted for approval to obtain a permit to remove or prune a tree on residential land.

Beginning July 1, 2022, trees on residential property within the City of College Park, greater than 36 inches in circumference measured at 4.5 feet above ground level, on which the property owner wants to remove or prune live branches or wood more than 20% will need to submit an application to the Department of Public Works for a tree removal/pruning permit and receive approval prior to beginning planned tree work. A requirement of the tree removal/pruning permit is that urban tree(s) approved for removal are replaced.

You can find the permit application at www.collegeparkmd.gov/TreeRemovalApp

For more information, click here.

Pumpkin Composting

If you have pumpkins to dispose of, please consider bringing them to one of the drop-off food scrap locations to be turned back into a useful product.

Curbside Leaf Collection

Curbside leaf vacuuming begins next week in the following areas: SA7 the North End/Sunnyside, SA1 Calvert Hills, SA2 Old Town/West Knox, SA8 CP Woods, Crystal Springs Acredale & Patricia Ct., SA6 Rhode island Ave East.

Click here for November’s calendar.

During Curbside Leaf Collection, signs are posted in your neighborhood in advance of the scheduled collection dates. The collection calendar will be updated as the schedule changes. Look for signs posted in your neighborhood. Click here for the City’s leaf plan and calendar.

TIPS – THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF LEAF COLLECTION!

• Bagging is not necessary during leaf collection with vacuums. Grass can be included in your leaf piles, but no sticks, branches, vines, or woody materials (as these items require a special collection).

• Rake leaves to the curb but do not put them in the street. Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains as the leaf vacuum cannot reach around cars.

• Remove tree limbs, rocks, trash, and other debris from leaves to be collected. These items damage the equipment and cause delays.

• Noise and dust may be noticeable as dry conditions generate more dust. We apologize for any inconvenience.

• When signs are posted, rake leaves to the curb. To ensure collection, put leaves out by the first day listed. Calendar may show two days in an area, but we only collect once per street per collection cycle.

Yard Waste Preparation Requirements

Soft yard waste and woody brush are processed independently into two different end products; therefore, these materials should be prepared separately for collection and further processing.

• Soft yard waste (grass, leaves, flowers, weeds and soft clippings that are less than ½” in diameter) is picked up year-round on your regularly scheduled collection day.
• Woody yard waste (branches, shrubs, brush, and small logs) is collected year-round on Thursday and Friday by appointment only. Please email publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov or call 240-487-3590 to schedule a collection.

• No loose brush, branches or yard waste.
• Preparation: bundle and tie with biodegradable material, use paper yard waste bags, the beige yard waste cart, or personal reusable containers* for either type of source separated material. *Personal containers must have a yellow City yard waste sticker; free stickers are available at DPW

• Separate soft material from woody material. Place each type of source-separated material in a separate container.
• Bundles of woody material must be no more than 4 feet long and comprised of individual branches up to 4 inches in diameter.
• Individual bundles must not exceed 2 feet in diameter or weigh more than 50 pounds and must be tied with biodegradable material.
• Logs must be cut into 12-inch sections and no more than 12 inches in diameter. A maximum of 25 logs will be collected at a scheduled pick up.
• Do not use plastic bags, or the city-issued refuse or recycling carts
• Do not mix lumber, trash, dirt, rocks, or other unacceptable items in with yard waste.
• Place at the curb by 7:00 am
• Material that is oversized and requires the use of a crane will be charged at a cost of $100 per collection, per hour
• Material improperly set out for collection will not be collected. A door hanger error notice will be left informing you of the problem.

Department of Public Services

Weekly Highlights of Contract Police Activity

October 14 - October 20

10/14 Contract officer conducted a traffic assignment (Stop Sign Enforcement) in the 9100 block of Saint Andrews Place. 2 citations and 1 warning were issued.

October 17 - October 23 

There were no municipal infractions issued for the violation of the Noise Ordinance, for Article I, 141-1 Danger to Public Safety/Health or Article II, 141-13 Unruly Social Gatherings.

Statistical Data and issued

(916-9/22):

MD State Citations: 53

Warnings: 82

Equipment Repair Orders: 12

Distracted Driving Citations: 0

Parking Citations: 0

Field Observation Report: 3

Youth Field Observation Report: 0

Citations in Lieu of Arrest: 0

Civil Citation: 0

Criminal Arrests: 0

DWS Arrest: 0

DWI Arrest: 0

Warrant Arrest: 0

Premise Checks: 16

Referral Student Code of Conduct: 0

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 1/Downtown Area Pedestrian Citations: 36

Zone 2/Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 2/ Berwyn-Lakeland Pedestrian Citations: 0

Zone 3/North College Park Pedestrian Warnings: 0

Zone 3/North College Park Pedestrian Citations: 0

Loud Exhaust Enforcement Stats:

Citations: 0

Warnings: 0

SERO's: 0

Year to date Statistics (starting 4/19/21):

Citations: 538

Warnings: 145

SERO's: 120

Monthly Public Safety Maps



For monthly Prince George's County Police public safety maps and statistical data for the City of College Park, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/publicsafety.

Community Meetings

Note: These are not City meetings but have City staff or Contract Police as a host.