Young Continues as President of Berwyn District Civic Association

Kevin Young listened to residents discuss racing bicycles, strict (but effective) speed cameras and tall hedges. He made notes on whom to call to solve those issues, and then was  re-elected as president of the Berwyn District Civic Association Thursday night.

“People seem to listen to you,” District 2 Councilman Jack Perry said at one point during the meeting.

Nine officers were elected Thursday, but the slate was determined ahead of time and there was no competition.

This year, the association will be focusing on revitalizing the Berwyn commercial district, keeping an eye on what becomes of land around the Greenbelt Metro Station and developing bonds between neighbors, Young said. 

It will also closely watch changes in district lines, Berwyn resident Forrest Tyler said.

But the biggest issue is with people who aren’t in the neighborhood.

“One of our biggest concerns is the number of foreclosed properties owned by absentee landlords,” Young said.

The downside of living in a community with student housing is it is often left empty, leaving lawns unmowed, hedges untrimmed and general home upkeep neglected.

And while Young has lived in Berwyn for all of his 48 years, another large project for the association is the planning of a much older tradition.  Since 1890, Berwyn has hosted its own day: .  Past Berwyn Days have included barbecues, gardening exhibits and crafts and games for kids.

Berwyn is older than College Park itself.  But with four-year residents making up a significant portion of the community, turnover is common.  The association will have its work cut out for it to turn a diverse group of residents into a neighborhood.

“We’ve got to work together and make a great community, which I think we are,” Young said.