Crofton and Odenton, Maryland

In 1960, Crofton did not exist and Odenton was a small town of a few thousand residents. Today more than 40,000 people live in the Crofton and Odenton areas and new families move in daily. We chose to live here for the quality of life these communities provide but in making that choice we have also fueled the suburban sprawl that threatens to impair that quality of life. Now its up to us to make the best of this suburbia, to ensure that we provide our families with
 * a healthy environment - accommodating growth while preserving open space and critical habitat
 * business opportunities that provide neighborhood services and amenities
 * a range of housing options that maintains and enhances the value neighborhoods
 * the ability to safely walk, ride a bike, take transit, or drive with our community

Things You Can Do

 * Stay informed. Bookmark this page.
 * Contribute ideas to this page.
 * Discuss your thoughts on the Discussion Page
 * Telecommute to work once a week - for help convincing your boss see Telework & Flextime: Progressive Optionsand Commuter Connections Teleworking
 * Create a backyard habitat for wildlife - see the DNR Wild Acres Site for great tips for townhouses to multi-acre lots.
 * Plant trees in your neighborhood - see Treemendous Maryland

Community Organizations

 * Greater Crofton Council
 * Greater Odenton Improvement Association

Conservation Resources

 * Smart Growth Online - working to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment.
 * EPA Smart Growth Site
 * Community and Environmental Defense Services - information about zoning process and recommendation on how to address concerns

Development Issues

 * Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) will bring 5400 military, DOD civilian and contractor employees to Fort Meade, plus 3 to 7 thousand support contractor employees to Fort Meade and the surrounding communities. In addition, many of these employees will move their families into the area.  The bulk of these will come with the relocation of the Defense Information Systems Agency in 2010.  This promises to be one of the biggest influxes of job and residents to the West County in decades.
 * Official Fort Meade Site
 * May 5 2005 Article, Maryland Newsline
 * June 2005 Article, (Howard and Anne Arundel County) Business Monthly