Takoma Park (təkō'mə), city (1990 pop. 16,700), Montgomery and Prince Georges counties, W central Md., a residential suburb of Washington, D.C.; inc. 1890. It is the international headquarters for the Seventh-day Adventists. The city is the seat of Columbia Union College.
Takoma Park
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| Wikipedia: Takoma Park, Maryland |
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This article or section has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page.
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| Takoma Park, Maryland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — City — | |||
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| Coordinates: 38°58′48″N 77°0′8″W / 38.98°N 77.00222°W | |||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Maryland | ||
| County | Montgomery | ||
| Founded | 1883 | ||
| Incorporated | 1890 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Municipal council-manager | ||
| - Mayor | Bruce Williams (D) | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 2.36 sq mi (5.5 km2) | ||
| - Land | 2.36 sq mi (5.5 km2) | ||
| - Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 400 ft (121 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - City | 17,299 | ||
| - Density | 8,152.4/sq mi (3,150.6/km2) | ||
| - Metro | 5,139,549 | ||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EST (UTC-5) | ||
| Area code(s) | 301 | ||
| FIPS code | 24-76650 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0598146 | ||
| Website | http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/ | ||
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C. and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone. A planned commuter suburb, it is situated along the Metropolitan Branch of the historic Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, just northeast of Washington. It is governed by an elected mayor and six elected councilmembers, who form the city council, and an appointed city manager, under a council-manager style of government. The city's population was 17,299 according to the 2000 national census.[1]
Contents |
History
Takoma Park was founded by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert in 1883 and incorporated in 1890. It was the first planned commuter suburb in the area, and also bore aspects of a spa and trolley park. For many decades it was world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist church denomination, which has a college, hospital, and radio station there.[citation needed]
Before 1995, the eastern boundary of the city of Takoma Park was the county line between Montgomery and Prince George's counties. In August 1995, a public referendum was held asking 447 registered voters living in three neighborhoods in Prince George's County whether they wanted their neighborhoods to be annexed to the city of Takoma Park. There was a majority of votes, 211 out of 304, in favor of annexation to the city.[2]
In November 1995, a public referendum was held asking whether the portions of the city in Prince George's County should be annexed to Montgomery County so that the entire city would be located in Montgomery County. The majority of votes in the referendum were in favor of unification of the entire city in Montgomery County.[3] Following subsequent approval by both counties' councils and the Maryland General Assembly, the county line was moved to include the entire city in Montgomery County, including the territory newly annexed to the city, on July 1, 1997.[4]
At one time an extension of Interstate 95, also known as the North Central Freeway, was proposed that would have cut the city in two. Sam Abbott and others successfully campaigned to prevent this.[citation needed] This process became known as Unification.
Also dividing the community is the boundary line of the District of Columbia, which contains part of the original Gilbert tract. This area is now known as Takoma, Washington, D.C. While politically separate from Takoma Park, Maryland, it shares its history and much of its culture.[citation needed]
Much of the old town Takoma Park was incorporated into the Takoma Park Historic District; listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Geography
Takoma Park is located just northeast of Washington, D.C.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.36 square miles (6.1 km2), all land. Sligo Creek and Long Branch (both tributaries of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River) flow through the area.
Demographics
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 17,299 people, 6,893 households, and 3,949 families residing in the city. The population density was 8,152.4 inhabitants per square mile (3,147.7 /km2). There were 7,187 housing units at an average density of 3,387.0 per square mile (1,307.7 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 48.79% White, 33.97% African American, 0.44% Native American, 4.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 7.44% from other races, and 4.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.42% of the population.
There were 6,893 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. Approximately 4.5% of all couples were unmarried same sex couples.[6] 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,490, and the median income for a family was $63,434. Males had a median income of $40,668 versus $35,073 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,437. About 8.4% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over.
Culture
Takoma Park is known for its many cultural events. One such event is the Takoma Park Folk Festival, a music festival held annually in the city. It has been in existence since 1978, founded by Sam Abbott, a former mayor.[7] In addition to hosting concerts on several stages by musicians from around the world, the Festival also celebrates Maryland's cultural diversity, with many different kinds of ethnic food being sold.
The festival features music styles as diverse as blues, klezmer, bluegrass, Celtic, and hip-hop, and the traditional music and dance of many nations and peoples. Other performers take traditional music in new directions, expanding the borders of what we think of as folk music. In addition to music and dance, the festival features traditional storytellers from around the world.[8]
The city also holds an annual 4th of July parade which draws in many visitors and tourists.[9] The parade typically includes dance groups, politicians and groups supporting causes, such as LGBTQ rights and fair-trade promotion, reflecting Takoma Park's liberal ideologies.
Takoma Park also hosts a variety of local characters who contribute to the city's sense of identity and culture, including Motor Cat,[10] Roscoe the Rooster,[11] Banjo Man[12] and "Fox Man".[13] Takoma Park also has a year round farmer's market which sells local produce and free range meats.
Law and government
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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009) |
In accordance with the city's principles, Takoma Park allows non-U.S.-citizen residents to vote in their own municipal elections. The city was also forbidden, by statute, from doing business with any entity having commercial ties with the government of Burma (Myanmar),[14] though after a United States Supreme Court decision struck down a similar Massachusetts provision, enforcement of the provision was suspended in the year 2000. As of 2007, the Free Burma Committee is inactive.[15] Takoma Park is also forbidden from purchasing any World Bank financial instruments.[citation needed]. In addition, residents must obtain a permit to cut down any tree on their property measuring more than 8 inches in diameter. In 2008, the city unanimously approved a resolution to oppose foie gras.[16]
Mayor
Takoma Park is governed by a city council composed of a mayor and council members for each of six wards. The city administration is run by a City Manager, since 2004, Barbara Burns Matthews. The current Mayor of Takoma Park is Bruce Williams (since 2007). Former mayors are:
- Benjamin Franklin Gilbert (1890-1892)
- Enoch Maris (1892-1894)
- Samuel S. Shedd (1894-1902)
- John B. Kinnear (1902-1906)
- Wilmer G. Platt (1906-1912)
- Stephens W. Williams (1912-1917)
- Wilmer G. Platt (1917-1920)
- James L. Wilmeth (1920-1923)
- Henry F. Taff (1923-1926)
- Ben G. Davis (1926-1932)
- Frederick L. Lewton (1932-1936)
- John R. Adams (1936-1940)
- Oliver W. Youngblood (1940-1948)
- John C. Post (1948-1950)
- Ross H. Beville (1950-1954)
- George M. Miller (1954-1972)
- John D. Roth (1972-1980)
- Sammie A. Abbott (1980-1985)
- Stephen J. Del Giudice (1985-1990)
- Edward F. Sharp (1990-1997)
- Kathy Porter (1997-2007)
- Bruce Williams (since 2007)
Representative body
Takoma Park has a non-partisan City Council elected by wards. Council members serve terms of two years, and are elected in the odd-numbered years. Non-U.S. citizens may register and vote in the municipal election. The members of the council elected in 2007 are:
- Ward 1: Josh Wright
- Ward 2: Colleen Clay
- Ward 3: Dan Robinson
- Ward 4: Terry Seamens
- Ward 5: Reuben Snipper
Donna Victoria was appointed by the council to fill out the Ward 6 term of Doug Barry, who resigned when he moved out of the city.
Voting methods
In the 2005 election, an advisory referendum on the institution of Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) for municipal elections passed with 84% approval.[17] The City Council is widely expected to pass legislation encoding IRV into law; this will make Takoma Park the first political jurisdiction in the state of Maryland to use such a voting system, and it will join a small but growing number of municipalities across the nation who have chosen IRV, such as San Francisco, California, Burlington, Vermont and, more recently, Ferndale, Michigan.
Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Associations by Ward
Ward 1:
- Hodges Heights
- North Takoma
- Old Town Residents' Association (OTRA)
Ward 2:
- B.F. Gilbert
- Long Branch-Sligo
- South of Sligo Citizens Association (SOSCA)
Ward 3:
- Pinecrest
- Westmoreland Area Community Organization (WACO)
- SS Carroll ("The Generals" streets: Grant Ave, Lee Ave, Sherman Ave, Sheridan Ave)
- Circle Woods Community Association
Ward 4:
- Ritchie Citizens Association
Ward 5:
- Between the Creeks
Ward 6:
- Hillwood Manor
- New Hampshire Gardens Citizens Association
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Public schools
The city is served by the Montgomery County Public Schools.
Elementary
Elementary schools that serve the city include:
- Piney Branch Elementary School (3-5)
- Rolling Terrace Elementary School (PK-5)
- Sligo Creek Elementary School (K-5)
- Takoma Park Elementary School (PK-2)
Most Takoma Park residents are zoned to Takoma Park ES and Piney Branch.
Middle
Middle schools that serve the city include:
- Silver Spring International Middle School
- Takoma Park Middle School (most Takoma Park residents are zoned to Takoma Park MS)
High
All of the city is served by Montgomery Blair High School.
With the Downcounty Consortium, students have limited opportunity to enroll in one of four other schools, including Kennedy, Northwood, Einstein, and Wheaton.
Colleges and universities
- Montgomery College (Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus) (a 2-year institution)
- Strayer University (Takoma Park Campus), just across the state line in Takoma, DC
- Washington Adventist University, a private liberal arts university
- Washington Theological Union, just across the state line in Takoma, DC
See also
References
- ^ "City of Takoma Park (About)". Official City Website. City of Takoma Park. http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/about.html. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
- ^ Montgomery, David (August 23, 1995). "Casting Their Lots With Takoma Park: Three P.G. Neighborhoods Vote 211 to 93 to Join City". Washington Post.
- ^ Montgomery, David (November 8, 1995). "In a Montgomery State of Mind, Takoma Park Votes to Unify". Washington Post.
- ^ "Substantial Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present". Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/ctychng.html. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.gaydemographics.org/USA/states/maryland/2000Census_state_md_general.htm
- ^ http://tpff.org/09/about_organization.htm
- ^ http://tpff.org/09/abouttpff.htm
- ^ http://www.takomapark4th.org/
- ^ http://www.motownsports.com/forums/motownsports-bar-grill/2165-motorcycle-riding-cat-dies.html
- ^ http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/617
- ^ http://www.banjomanfc.com/whoisfc.htm
- ^ http://blogs.nationaltrust.org/preservationnation/?p=2420
- ^ http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/code/Takoma_Park_Municipal_Code/Title_9/08/index.html[dead link]
- ^ http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/agenda/items/2007/010807-4.pdf
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070901547.html
- ^ (source: The Takoma Voice)
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