June 18, 2002

c/o 340 W. Edmonston Drive
Rockville, MD 20852

Hal Cranor, Director of Public Works
Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks
Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Re: Renaming Cabin John SWM Pond to Stoneridge Pond

Dear Messrs. Cranor and Hall,

The Hungerford neighborhood has collectively decided it would like to rename the Cabin John Storm Water facility and add some additional features to the site. While I realize a request to so treat a storm water pond is unusual, it is a measure of the success of the design and implementation of this facility. Many residents view this area as park-like and cherish the wildlife that is already making use of the pond as habitat. Therefore, a desire to name the facility and further augment these aspects is the root of this.

Since both your departments likely will be involved with this request, I address this to you mutually. Note that in our discussions, the Association officers have been studious in reminding residents that notwithstanding renaming and additional treatments, this facility remains an engineered storm water facility and that determines that various, and possibly disruptive, maintenance operations are necessary to preserve its engineered function.

Regarding naming, this Association circulated a request for suggested names and submitted this to a vote of our membership as described on the attached page. The final vote was among the five choices at our last general meeting. The association officers offered their own recommendation, which essentially was supported by the membership in motions and voting. The selected name was Stoneridge Pond. The concept behind this name is that by designating a neighborhood feature with this former sub-division name, we aim to preserve it within local awareness. You might recall that our neighborhood was originally called Hungerford-Stoneridge and in early 2001 we voted to simplify this to just Hungerford. So attaching this discarded name part to a neighborhood feature is a way to retain its significance. Incidentally, the pond does adjoin the original Stoneridge sub-division within the neighborhood. In designating this name, we think adding on-site signage and official ongoing map and document adjustment is appropriate.

Along with voting on a final name recommendation, we also passed a motion recommending adding interpretive signage and wildlife habitat features to the site. Of particular interest is commemorating the history of this parcel of land. Originally, Rose Dawson gave this parcel to the neighborhood for a community pool. Recognizing this, the name Rose Dawson Pond was a final nominee in our consideration. However, we expected that this name would get familiarly shortened to Dawson Pond, and having both a Dawson Park and Dawson Pond in different locations was considered too confusing. Even though this was not the selected name, a strong sentiment remains to publicly recognize the largess of this person in making the land gift. Our recommendation is that this could be done on an interpretive sign explaining the history of the site from forest, to farmland, to pool site, to storm water pond. Another interpretive topic might be explaining the engineering of the storm water pond or perhaps the larger water shed and storm water handling concept.

Regarding wildlife habitat augmentation, we have noted various waterfowl, birds and small mammals that have rapidly embraced the pond area as living space. Therefore, we have in mind small structures that might further accommodate or encourage this. Examples of these structures include nesting boxes and bird or bat houses. Careful observation at the site by a knowledgeable naturalist undoubtedly would suggest appropriate structures and placement.

In summary, this is a three part recommendation. First, that we officially rename the site as Stoneridge Pond, with appropriate on-site signage and map/document designation. Second, that some interpretive signage be added to the site, as discussed herein. And third, that additional wildlife habitat structures be considered, and those appropriate installed at the site. The attention of your departments to this request is appreciated.

Sincerely,
David Hill,
President