The state of Maryland is pursuing a plan to expand the I-495 Beltway that will adversely affect National Park Seminary. SOS has actively taken the following position regarding this plan.
THE GLEN AT NATIONAL PARK SEMINARY: THREATENED BY I-495 EXPANSION
Save Our Seminary believes that expansion of I-495 will cause irreversible harm to the campus of the former National Park Seminary, damaging a woodland landscape and its historic artifacts, all protected under conservation and historic easements. We therefore oppose any proposed alternatives by the Maryland Department of Transportation for the I-495 & I-270 P3 Program that result in widening I-495.
The following attributes support the protection of the Glen from roadway expansion:
• The Glen is part of National Park Seminary, a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.
• As such, the Glen is protected by a Preservation Easement with the Maryland Historic Trust.
• The Glen is also protected by Category 1 Conservation Easements from the Maryland-National Capital Parks & Planning Commission, which prohibit construction within the easements.
• Over 800 linear feet of the Glen is bordered by I-495 and would be affected by roadway expansion.
• Conversion of this woodland to road would be a significant loss of green infrastructure that performs a vital role in rainwater and temperature management, as well as loss of habitat for native species.
• Historic assets such as a bridge abutment and stone wall would be lost, in a property where there has already been significant loss from previous development.