Award Winning Programs:
The Golden Trowel Award, presented to Veterans Park
2022 Growth Award Recipient
2022 Outstanding Achievement Award "Environmental Efforts"
Best Community Garden Program
GETTING INVOLVED
There are many ways you can get involved to help Edmonston go greener! Here are some ways to help both our home and our planet.
GREEN TEAM
The Green Team meets from 7-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month, and encourages citizen involvement. It is active year round.
If you are interested in joining meetings or have questions about Green Team policies, initiatives, or activities, please contact us greenteam@edmonstonmd.gov
EDMONSTON COMMUNITY GARDEN
Built in 2016, and is a pollinator flower garden. The garden is maintained currently through by Town of Edmonston Public Works employees and volunteer assistance. Email our green team if you are interested in helping out!
MEET OUR GREEN TEAM!
ROD BARNES
Rod Barnes currently serves as the Town Administrator for Edmonston, Maryland. Edmonston is a small community in the Washington DC metro region. He has a Master of Public Administration from Kansas State University. He has served as purchasing agent, finance director, city clerk and as a City Manager over his 35 years of experience in local government. While serving in local government roles, he has developed historic preservation projects and has extensive experience working on trail development and expanding park greenspace in the communities he has served. In the two years he has been at Edmonston, he has focused on the town’s environmental efforts. He has expertise in the development of green streets that include the components of rain gardens, bike lanes, using recycled materials for furniture and trash receptacles and permeable paving. Other sustainable environment projects he has been involved with include the use of solar energy for heating Town Hall, the use of electric cars for Code Enforcement and Public Works. Rod was instrumental in the development of a community garden and 3 community fruit tree orchards in Edmonston.
ED HOOKER
Ed Hooker, III currently serves as the first Historical Architect of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Veterans Affairs (VA). The NCA oversees 131 National Veterans Cemeteries through the United States and Puerto Rico. Hooker began his career in federal service in 2006 as the Historic Architect and Cultural Resources Manager at Fort Riley, KS. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in architecture, he began his career in historic preservation with the Alabama Historical Commission, the Alabama State Historic Preservation Office, where he worked with communities to realize the potential of their threatened historic landmarks. He later was the historic architect for the Mobile Historic Development Commission, where he staffed the city’s Architectural Review Board and provided preservation guidance and architectural design assistance to residents of Mobile’s eight historic districts. Hooker credits his passion for historic preservation to growing up in the Black Belt region of Alabama, volunteering as a docent for his community’s annual pilgrimage, and being made aware at an early age the importance of heritage and history. He considers himself an avid amateur gardener, and enjoys container and patio gardening. Ed also served for two years on his town’s AIB Committee.
MARGARET (MAGGIE) POOLEY
Maggie is an avid gardener, reader, and lover of the outdoors. When she and husband Chris moved to Edmonston in 1993, their lot was an immense lawn. Committed to sustainability, they replaced the grass with perennial plants, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Maggie counts herself lucky to live in Edmonston, with the Northeast Branch trail of the Anacostia, the park, and so many destinations within walking and/or cycling distance. Be sure to say hello when you see her up on the levee walking dogs or weeding in the garden.
JONA ELWELL
A newer resident of Edmonston, Jona is interested in the intersection of cities, greenspace, and sustainability. A lifelong lover of trees and the outdoors, she can be found either running or biking along the Anacostia Riverwalk trail, knitting in the sun, or experimenting in the kitchen.
HILARY CHESTER
Hilary Chester is serving her first term as Ward 1 Council Member. Ms. Chester has lived in Edmonston for over ten years, and served on the Green Team, Event Committee, Multicultural Advisory Group and regularly volunteered at Town events. Ms. Chester works for a faith-based organization managing programs and advocating with and for immigrants and refugees, in particular victims and survivors of human trafficking and related crimes. She also works to support newcomer families and youth. She is bilingual in Spanish. She is an avid gardener and baker and loves to travel.
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JOHN JOHNSON
John Johnson is serving his third 3 year term as a Ward 2 Council Member. He has been involved with the Edmonston in Bloom Green Team since 2014. He has coordinated several the Bloom/Green Team’s efforts, serving as a team leader for annual Earth Day cleanup of the Anacostia River, coordinating Bike to Work activities, Black History celebrations, community celebrations and workshops. He represents the Town of Edmonston at numerous regional meetings. He volunteers at every opportunity that arises.