FAQs

What does the CL do? The CL represents residents on issues affecting the quality of life in Roland Park, including land use, infrastructure, traffic, transportation, public safety and crime, proposed developments in our community, representing the community to the various Baltimore City government agencies and support of important local institutions. For example, in the early 2000s, the Civic League and Community Foundation were involved heavily in saving and expanding the Roland Park Library.

Can anyone join? Yes, all residents of Roland Park are strongly encouraged to join the Civic League and get involved on those issues that are important to them. When we speak together as a community, our “voice” is much more powerful than that of each of us alone. Visit the dues page to join the CL.

How much are the CL dues? Annual membership is $50 and entitles two members of one household to vote.

Where do my dues go? Civic League dues are used to support community social events such as the annual July 4th parade, donations to our public schools and nonprofits working in our area, and maintaining our website and the Civic League’s office.

What is the structure of the CL? The CL board is comprised of various officers and plat-specific and at-large representatives. The board meets 8 or more times each year on the first Wednesday of each month at the Roland Park Presbyterian Church (4801 Roland Avenue). All  are welcome. For a list of current board members, visit the Contacts page. For information about becoming a CL board member, email CivicLeague@RolandPark.org.

What does the Roads & Maintenance Corporation do? R&M is responsible for enforcing Roland Park’s covenants and reviewing applications from property owners for changes to the exterior of the property to ensure they meet R&M’s architectural and historical standards. As a legacy of the time in the early 20th century when it owned all public land and infrastructure in Roland Park, R&M still owns the neighborhood’s lanes & footpaths. Most of the infrastructure, such as sewerage, water, lighting, and roads was turned over to Baltimore City in the 1920s. R&M still maintains public spaces including mowing the grass in the medians on Roland Ave. and Falls Rd. Terrace, maintaining the beds at the intersections throughout the neighborhood, repairing the footpaths and mowing Centennial Park. For more information about R&M, and for a guide to the convenants in Roland Park, visit the Roads & Maintenance page.

What are R&M’s fees? R&M’s Required maintenance fee was established more than a century ago and is part of deeds to Roland Park properties. The purpose was to fund the private infrastructure. This fee was set in real turn of the 20th-century dollars with no allowance for increase. These fees are not longer adequate to maintain the public spaces throughout the neighborhood. In 1985, R&M began asking for a voluntary “full-service” fee of eight times the Required Fee in order to cover increases in operational costs. R&M’s annual budget is approximately $130,000. In 2023, this Requested Fee was increased to ten times the Required Fee.

What is the structure of R&M? The R&M board is comprised of a number of officers and plat representatives who review homeowners’ requests to make changes to the exteriors of their properties.

I am planning renovations to my home in Roland Park, what should I do? If the renovations will affect the exterior of a home in Roland Park, please visit our Design Guidelines & Applications page for information about standards for design and materials, a guide to the Covenants, and the necessary application for approval.

What does the Community Foundation do? The Roland Park Community Foundation (RPCF) is a non-profit 501c (3) organization established in 1986 to preserve, maintain and improve the parks, streams, squares, trees, and other green spaces in our community. The Community Foundation supports the Civic League, R&M and other neighborhood organizations by raising money for projects benefit present and future generations of residents and stay true to the Olmsted Brother’s vision for this community.  For more details, visit the Community Foundation page.

How can I contribute? The Community Foundation raises money by making an annual appeal to residents and friends of Roland Park, hosting fundraising events and accepting tax-deductible donations from residents (or anyone else).

What is the structure of the CF? The CF board is comprised of a number of officers and general directors. For a list of current board members, visit the Community Foundation page. For information about becoming a CF board member, email CommunityFoundation@RolandPark.org.

Where can I find the “Word Of Mouth” contractor list? The latest version of the list is linked from the “Roland Park News” page.