10-17-2025 4:51am

Clean Water Project

Sherwood Episcopal Church Clean Water Project Ribbon Cutting

Cockeysville, MD Oct. 18-19

Event Title
	Sherwood Episcopal Church Clean Water Project Ribbon Cutting
When does it start?
	10/18/2025
When does it end?
	10/19/2025
Event Host and/or Location
	Sherwood Episcopal Church, Cockeysville, MD
What kind of event is it?
	Ribbon Cutting for the Clean Water Project
Event Details
	Sherwood Episcopal Church will hold a ribbon cutting on October 18 from 10 am to noon to mark the installation of its Clean Water Project, an initiative designed to combat the effects of storm water runoff flowing down Sherwood Hill through the church’s campus, causing extensive erosion on the property, flooding and hazardous conditions for motorists and business owners along York Road, and pollutant contamination of the local drinking water supply. The ribbon cutting event will include remarks from the Rev. Nancy H. Hennessey, Rector of Sherwood Episcopal Church, and others; tours of the Clean Water Project; tours of the church building; facepainting and pumpkin decorating; and information tables hosted by Sherwood’s partners in the project. About the Sherwood Episcopal Church Clean Water Project In 2020 leaders at Sherwood Episcopal Church began to explore solutions to address the severe flooding and property erosion from stormwater coming from above the church campus, across York Road, and into local waterways. In 2021 Sherwood chose Underwood & Associates, Inc as its partner to design and install the Clean Water Project. In 2022 Sherwood Episcopal Church received a $60K grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to fund the project’s design. The following year the Church received a $1.7 million grant to implement the project from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. Senior Warden Carolyn Cumpsty Fowler said of the project, “Sherwood has been part of the Cockeysville community for 199 years. We have a responsibility to be stewards of this historic property, and good neighbors. By managing the damage caused by storm water runoff on Sherwood’s campus, the clean water project protects both our immediate neighbors and the fragile Chesapeake watershed.” The Clean Water Project uses a nature-based Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (RSC) approach to slow stormwater. The project installed 728 cubic yards of granite boulders, 3,780 cubic yards of sand, about 6,000 native plants (36 species), including over 200 native trees (8 species), and approximately 460 linear feet of tree protection fencing. The gravel, stone, and earth ponds and streams filter out the pollutants before they reach the drinking Baltimore water supply and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. The project has been supported by many partners including the Beaverdam Green Team, Gunpowder Valley Conservancy, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, and Synrgy Solutions. The Project also benefited from a donation from Birchwood Capital Partners. The Rev. Nancy H. Hennessey said, “When the leadership of Sherwood Episcopal Church realized we needed to address the destructive erosion on our property—caused by rainstorms and upstream development—we could never have imagined the incredible result. Thanks to the relationships we formed with experts, governmental agencies, engineers, environmental organizations, and passionate individuals who care deeply about this corner of the world, Sherwood’s Clean Water Project became a reality.” We invite all to enjoy one of the few green spaces remaining on busy York Road. Come walk the paths and see how our Clean Water Project works in harmony with nature. We welcome anyone seeking peace and stillness in a world that often feels chaotic to visit, take in the serene surroundings, and rest for a while. We see this greenspace as God’s church without walls, without pews, and without a formal congregation—a place where all are invited to reconnect with God’s creation. In the coming months, Sherwood will install benches along the project’s pathways as well as permanent signage. Groups interested in scheduling a visit to the project for educational purposes are encouraged to contact to the Church at sherwoodparish@gmail.com About Sherwood Episcopal Church Founded in 1826, Sherwood Episcopal Church is a small but mighty parish and a Baltimore County landmark. It is home to one of the few green spaces along York Road from Hunt Valley to Baltimore City. Sherwood’s mission is: “God commands us to enthusiastically cast open our doors to embrace all, impacting lives through bold service, no exceptions.” For more information, contact Parish Administrator Morgan Brown at 410-666-2180 or sherwoodparish@gmail.com. Visit the church website at sherwoodcockeysville.org.