About My Community
"The Town a Railroad Built"
Odenton, Maryland
Founded in 1868, Odenton is named after Oden Bowie, the 34th Governor of Maryland. Originally a small farming community of 100 people, has grown into a town of about 43,000 according to the 2020 Census. It is located in the center of 3 major cities: Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Sometimes referred to as the "donut hole" as everything is around it, but not much is in it. This portfolio aims to discover how to further the placemaking movement in Odenton.
Water is Essential for Life
Little Patuxent River
The Little Patuxent River flows through Odenton, joining the greater Patuxent River just south, near Bowie. Along this river were multiple small towns: Woodwardville, Sappington, Conaway, Patuxent, and Odenton. Eventually, they all combined into what Odenton is today. Due to the poximity of fresh water, these small towns were known for farming. These towns had multiple canneries, a large dairy farm, mills, as well as general stores to sell produce.
Piney Orchard Nature Preserve
The Piney Orchard Nature Preserve consists of wetlands, which were restored between 1987-1996. Prior to restoration, this area was mined for sand and gravel in the 1940s and 1950s. The restoration project included the creation of 5 large ponds to replace the wetlands filled in for the 3,500+ housing units built in the Piney Orchard community, who maintains the nature preserve today. The nature preserve is home to bald eagles, herons, beavers, otters, hawks, fox, turtles, and ducks. You can also find several miles of trails to enjoy.
Piney Orchard Pond
While manmade, the Piney Orchard pond serves as a place for the community to gather. On an early morning walk, you may find a FIT4MOMs group exercising with their toddlers, a nearby pre-school taking their students out for a walk to learn about nature, your neighbor walking their dog, or someone reading on a bench. On Wednesday nights you may find a group huddled together on their phones playing Pokemon Go or on Saturday mornings, a pickleball match being played. During homecoming or prom season, you'll see hundreds of local students posing in front of the gorgeous scenery. It truly is a place that caters to everyone.
