Shipley's Choice Celebrates 20 years in the Park

by Sue Young

Severna Park Voice

While the Shipley's Choice community has officially been standing for twenty years, it is not commonly known that, at the beginning, it didn't have this name. Talles homes, the first builder, called the homes built on Arbor Oaks Drive, "Sycamore Hills." Later, a second builder, Diaz, who built houses along Rustling oaks Drive, named his section "Fox Hollow." But by 1981 these section names were dropped and the entire community was known as "Shipley’s Choice."

Adam Shipley, indeed, did choose this land on march 30, 1681 when he patented 200 acres of land on the south side of the Severn River, which was "fair to see with mighty oak trees set upon gentle hills and laced with lofty pine and holly trees…"

But the old gentleman would never recognize the place now. His original 200 acres has grown to 572. With 1147 mostly two storied colonial style homes, a pool and tennis club and an elementary school, the community has grown rapidly. While Winchester Homes sold the majority of the houses, there have been a variety of builders including Talles, Costain, and Chateau. Boasting two community associations, Shipley’s Choice Community Association inc. and Shipley’s Choice Home Owners Association, the neighborhood is well represented in the Greater Severna Park Council. Courtney Tomlinson, a junior at Severna Park High School currently represents SCHOA, while John Norville is the SCCA representative. Courtney, whose parents, Mike and Vikki, are active members on the Board of Directors for SCHOA was interested in seeing how things work on the council. "I go to the meetings and listen for something that may affect our community," said Courtney. "Currently, the rezoning of the property of Veterans Highway and Benfield Road is the biggest concern".

Other big concerns that have affected the community in the past have been the need for an elementary school, the building of East-West Boulevard and the construction of the Medical Park on the southwest corner of the community. The neighbord hood is known for coming together on important issues and has successfully resolved many of them. When redistricting threatened to move Shipley’s out of the Severna Park feeder system, parents petitioned the school board, establishing that the children in this community are closely linked to the Greater Severna Park district.

Despite having a Millersville post office most residents do feel part of Severna Park. Mary Rew and Lynn Maddox, two of the four remaining "originals" from Arbor Oaks Court remember that when they first moved to Shipley’s they had a Severna Park address. "I also remember when Governor Stone was just a sandy path through the trees," said Mary who moved here with her late husband Jim and two of their two young sons in the fall of 1978. As a realtor for Talles homes, Mary watched the community grow over the years. "Now the children of families that I sold houses to are coming ni and buying," she said.

One such family is the Crawfords. Growing up on Briarwich Court since 1980, Joe and his four siblings graduated from Severna park High School. Joe married in 1992 and lived in Arnold before moving to San Jose, Calif. Last year Joe and his wife Kent returned to Maryland with their two young daughters, Alexandra and Lindsey. "California is a nice place to visit," said Joe, "but we came back here for the quality of life. Shipley’s Choice is where we wanted to raise our family."

Another observation that mary made was that families purchased second and sometimes third houses within Shipley’s. Ed and Kathy Addison first moved to the community in 1985. They purchased a basic four bedroom colonial without many features. Within three years they had built enough equity to move to a new more elaborate home. "Then five years later we had four children and needed more space so Talles built us a custom designed home," said Ed. "We could have moved to another neighborhood, but we really like it here and we believe it is a great place for our kids to grow up."

This is the sentiment shared by Paula Dugas, the producer of the monthly newsletter, Shipley’s Voice. "I have really enjoyed putting together the paper," said Paula who has done this job since September 1992. "I see how active and enthusiastic the neighborhood is." Supported by advertisers, the newsletter keeps residents informed about community association activities, as well as happenings in various groups and clubs. There is also space for residents to put in classified ads free of charge.

As Shipley’s Choice enters its third decade, it has seen the end to its rapid growth. However, as the community ages, it continues to be a strong and solid family-oriented neighborhood. "It is a wonderful place to live, " said Mary Rew. "I have been very happy here."

Reproduced with permission from Severna Park Voice Feb' 99