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In Washington Grove, Working Around the Trees
The small town of Washington Grove is made up of about 225 homes, many of them only a few feet from their neighbors.
(Photos By Katherine Frey -- The Washington Post)
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"The [paved] streets are 16 feet wide. It's a hallmark of the town. The cars share the streets with people and dogs," Compton said.
That can lead to occasional clashes with modern suburban life. Moving vans can be a problem, for instance, and trash removal requires some ingenuity.
"We're hoping to get rid of the monster trucks," Lehman said. "He'll back in and sit, and they run in and collect and pull out. It's too hard to maneuver in here."
Living in a forest requires its share of adaptation. A tree committee monitors the health of all the town hardwoods, and homeowners think twice about removing what in all likelihood was on their property long before they arrived.
"Cut down a tree in Washington Grove, and people are aghast," Compton said.
Another prerequisite for living happily in Washington Grove is the understanding that you will co-exist with abundant wildlife. Deer, in particular, will have a say in your gardening plans.
"You won't see too many tulips here. You'll see the green, but the minute they flower, they're gone," Lehman said.
Her mother continues to experiment with what she plants.
"They ate my hydrangeas last summer, but they don't like daffodils," Knight said.
A more substantial threat to the Washington Grove lifestyle is encroaching development. Over the years, the town has responded to this possibility by annexing nearby property. Washington Grove is now examining the purchase of 12 undeveloped acres across from one of its boundary streets so the land can be maintained in its current state.
"Washington Grove preceded all the development around us. We're now surrounded by infill development with the exception of this property. This is the last remaining adjacent property. Our argument is that we deserve to be protected," Compton said.
Another issue is what residents choose to do to their homes. Although the town is on the National Register of Historic Places, homeowners have quite a bit of leeway.
"As the issue of mansionization comes up, we're looking to see if a zoning ordinance can protect the little houses, [but] do you want someone to tell you you can't take a piece of gingerbread off your house?" Lehman said.
Compton agreed. "Most believe that the character of the town is contributed to by the old-style homes, [but] to impose a standard has proven to be controversial. We're trying to deal with it."
Still, Washington Grove won't change much, Compton said.
"People move to Washington Grove because they like it the way it is, a mish-mash of property in a terrific location."
