💬 Private Facebook Group

In July 2024, the board launched a private Facebook group, exclusively for members of the association. Those with a membership in the current calendar year will be approved to join and the group members will be updated annually. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cypressimprovementassociation

💻 Updated Website

In June 2024, the CIA website was updated. The website was created and managed by volunteers at no expense (other than web hosting fees required by GoDaddy.com). 

Special thanks to CIA member Aaron Comis for initiating our website update.

Paddleboard Lessons

In August 2023, CIA members were invited to attend a 90 minute complimentary SUP (stand up paddle board) lesson covering safety for paddlers, stroke technique and maneuvering, equipment types, Coast Guard requirements, and more.  The group also went out for a paddle. Special thanks to member Jamie Kline and her daughter Hannah who are both competitive paddleboarders and have offered to teach for our community members. SUP is the fastest-growing water sport! 

Protecting Our Assets & Funding the Future

Picnic Table and Trash Container

In Summer 2022, Max Rossmark and his Eagle Scout group designed and built a picnic table and trash/recycling bin combo, as part of his Eagle Scout Project, for all of us to enjoy at our neighborhood pier.

New Boards Added to Pier

Thanks to Storm Rogers for replacing over a dozen boards on the pier. 

Town Hall: Support the Side Walk

On November 2, 2022, a town hall for Support the Sidewalk was held at St. John the Evangelist. 

If you haven't yet, please SIGN the petition at https://tinyurl.com/sidewalkpetition 

On Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 CIA vice president, Cheyenne Dominguez, together with volunteers Christina Fritts and Patti Anderson, hosted a town hall meeting to coalesce support for a sidewalk along Ritchie Hwy, between Cypress Creek Road and McKinsey Road. The sidewalk would connect residents to shop local businesses, provide safe passageway for area youth and families, enable walkability for students and parishioners of St. John, and reduce traffic at two busy intersections. 

We are especially grateful to Saint John the Evangelist School for hosting our neighbors and friends. For those who missed it, we heard from the following speakers/community leaders who discussed support for our sidewalk. 

✔️ Stueart Pittman, County Executive, AA County.
✔️Rachel Muñoz, Maryland State Delegate, District 33 and Cypress Creek resident.
✔️Amanda Fiedler, Member, AA County Council, District 5.
✔️Carl Neimeyer, Candidate for AA County Council, District 5.
✔️Karen Fiasco from Maryland State Highway Administration.
✔️Samuel Snead from AA County Dept of Transportation. 

As a result, AA County has submitted a formal request to the Maryland Department of Transportation / State Highway Association to conduct a feasibility study within 12-16 weeks. The volunteer team has scheduled a follow up meeting with MDOT/SHA in March 2023 to discuss the results of the study and next steps. More to come! 

Follow the progress of this effort! Email updates are sent to CIA members as we receive them. Additionally, we've created a separate page about the sidewalk effort HERE.

2021

Refreshed Website

In July 2021, the website was refreshed, including adding a host of online features, such as:

• Membership dues could be paid online

• CIA events could be viewed online 

The website was created and managed by volunteers at no expense (other than web hosting fees required by GoDaddy.com). 

Special thanks to former president Craig Myers for initiating the website update and Cheyenne Dominguez for ongoing management. 

CIA Pier Area Repaving & Bollard Installation

In June 2021, the community pier area was repaved and bollards added; the bollards replace the old guardrail as part of a long overdue capital improvement effort. The old guardrail was outdated and blocked access for kayaks, canoes, etc. The new bollards allow for easier water access and enjoyment. 

Thanks to our volunteer Community Pier and Water Access Committee led by Matt McCaughey.  Funded 100% by membership dues. 

Additionally, we thank Storm Rogers for fixing the broken metal and cleaning the retractable ladder from pier to the water. 

Added a Community Message Board

In August 2021, a community message board has been installed near the pier to house our official membership roster and annual calendar of events.  We've also posted a brief history of our association, dating back nearly 100 years. 

Huge thanks to Matt McCaughey for making this happen. Additional thanks to Lisa Pitt, Bonnie Wolfe, and Nancy Sainsbury who have volunteered to beautify the soil strip with plants/flowers. 

Dumpster Day

In September 2021, Craig Myers, past president of the Cypress Improvement Association coordinated another instance of the annual dumpster day. 

This event is organized in partnership with Anne Arundel Department of Public Works, Community Cleanup Program.  Participation requirements include the coordination of dumpster delivery, pickup, and monitoring of acceptable items. 

Pier Cleanup Day

On October 16, 2021, the CIA hosted a pier cleanup day. Thanks to all volunteers who came out in support of our annual pier cleanup day.  We replaced boards, installed solar lights and new ladder, did some gardening, and other light repairs. Plus, bagels & coffee. 

First Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest & Fundraising 

In December 2021, the CIA hosted its first annual holiday home decorating contest and fundraiser; thanks to all those who participated! 

We raised nearly $150 for our pier improvement fund. You can still view our interactive neighborhood walking tour map that shows all of our participants. 📍 Additional thanks to the Dominguezes, Hubers and Zepps who donated items for our winners' gift baskets.  

2019

Steps-to-Water Added to CIA Beach

In July 2019, new steps were built and added to the CIA Beach. In addition, the existing CIA Pier was stained, as a preventative measure to keep it in top condition. 

Special thanks to Jeff Nold for building these steps and to Brian and Claire Lutz for finishing the staining effort. The steps are a major safety improvement and allow for better water access.