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Washington County Public Works and University of Maryland Design Center to Present Fort Ritchie Livable Community Concepts

HAGERSTOWN, MD (November 8, 2024) – Washington County Public Works has partnered with the University of Maryland (UMD) Design Center for Environmental and Community Health to explore innovative ways to foster an active and connected community in Cascade and Fort Ritchie. Following a successful community workshop on October 14, 2024, the UMD students integrated valuable community input and feedback regarding the area’s assets, potential improvements, and ideas for the future.

On November 6, 2024, the students presented their initial draft master and concept plans to a review panel, which included representatives from Washington County Public Works. This collaboration marks a key phase in supporting the community’s development and engaging emerging professionals in meaningful, real-world challenges.

The final presentation of the students’ ideas and recommendations will be held on December 4, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Fort Ritchie Community Center. Members of the public are invited to attend this culminating event to view the students’ proposals and support their efforts to enhance the Cascade and Fort Ritchie area.

“We are excited to work alongside UMD to provide students with a platform for real-world experience while also gaining insight into potential improvements for Fort Ritchie,” said Washington County Public Works Director Andrew Eshleman. “It’s a mutually beneficial opportunity to support learning and community engagement.”

This partnership allows landscape architecture students from the University of Maryland to apply their skills to real-world challenges, offering fresh perspectives and potential solutions for the community. Depending on feasibility and resource availability, some of the students’ proposed ideas may lead to future engineering and project implementation under the guidance of Washington County Government.

For more information on the University of Maryland Design Center for Environmental and Community Health, please visit their website at https://larch.umd.edu/design-center-environmental-and-community-health-each.

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