Steamrolling Roland Park

Frederick Law Olmsted must be spinning in his grave. Developers are nibbling away at Roland Park, Maryland, a historic suburban community designed by Olmsted's son and the Olmsted firm.

First the golf course closed. Then the tennis complex moved to greener pastures. Now Baltimore Country Club wants to sell 17 of the 30 acres it owns. Plans are to construct a multi-care facility for the elderly.

Many residents say that the new construction will shatter the vision of the Olmsted firm, which became famous for incorporating green space into community design. Supporters of the plan argue that Olmsted and his firm would embrace the change. After all, communities should provide for aging residents. But, does anyone really know what the original designers would do? More:

• Club’s Plan to Sell Land Shatters a Baltimore Neighborhood’s Serenity, New York Times
• Neighborhood Design
• Frederick Law Olmsted