Water Garden

Color On The Creek 2021

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice 2020 ended with a bang. Check out the results in the column on the right. In the end, the effort raised $67,000 for various local charities! Job well done. Thanks to all participants, boat crews, captains and designers. The event was a huge success not only for the money raised, but for the welcome addition to the winter landscape. Visitors came from far and wide to see the Sailing On The Winter Solstice Event. Now it’s time to attend to the Water Garden.

Cleaning the creek, planting, fertilizing and rearranging the pots is next, followed by planting in the greenhouse and transferring the plants to the water garden. All dates and times are provided in the column on the right. We hope to see you there!

Color Story

Color On The Creek is an all volunteer inspired and managed water garden located in the Carroll Creek Linear Park which runs through the heart of downtown Frederick Maryland. Created in 2012, the garden transformed an algae plagued creek into a place of real beauty. The water garden blooms from April through October and is open and free to the public. Stop by; you won’t be disappointed! Read more about us, get involved or  donate.

Walking along the creek you can’t help but hear passersby admire the color and serenity of the setting.

  • “This is beautiful.”
  • “I wish our town would consider a project like this!”
  • “What a lovely place to stroll and enjoy the weather.”

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor to our lovely town, make sure you take the time to enjoy Carroll Creek and the plantings we’ve added. This project began 5 years ago as an effort to enhance the water quality of the creek as well as to improve the aesthetics of Carroll Creek. Through volunteer efforts and corporate sponsorships, we’ve grown. Learn more…

Learn More About COTC

Volunteers Run the Show

Our volunteers are the backbone of this project. We started with 100 volunteers in 2013 and have grown to over 400 participating volunteers and donors. We always need volunteers – especially during our two spring plantings and fall clean-up when it’s time to put the water garden to bed! Would you like to help? We have fun. We learn. Get to know your neighbors and friends. Volunteer Now.

Your Contribution

Whether large or small, your contribution helps us continue our efforts and even enhance our offerings on the Creek. You are the reason we continue to thrive. You can donate online, or by mail. Every dollar counts, so please help us continue to thrive, add plant materials, stand and containers. We sure appreciate your help.Donate now