Hereford Zone, Maryland facts for kids

The Hereford Zone is a special area located in northern Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It makes up about 20% of all the land in Baltimore County. This zone includes several towns like Hereford, Parkton, Monkton, and Sparks.

Not many people live in the Hereford Zone. This is because of special rules called zoning laws. These laws make sure that new neighborhoods with many houses aren't built. Instead, you'll find large homes with big yards and lots of farms.

Weather in the Hereford Zone

The Hereford Zone has slightly different weather than other parts of Baltimore County. This is because it is higher up. It's like its own little weather bubble, also known as a microclimate.

Sometimes, in winter, schools in nearby areas might open late. But schools in the Hereford Zone might be closed completely due to heavy snow or ice. This shows how unique its weather can be.

Wind and Air Quality

In the northern part of the zone, near the border with Pennsylvania, strong winds and even small tornadoes can happen. There are not many buildings or big hills to stop them.

The air in the Hereford Zone is also very clean. It's much cleaner than the air closer to Baltimore City. This is because the land gets higher as you go north. Also, there aren't many factories here that cause pollution. The winds from the west help keep the air fresh and clear.

Education and Schools

The Hereford Zone is home to Hereford High School and Hereford Middle School. These schools offer some unique programs for students.

Agriscience Program

Hereford High School has the only agriscience program in Baltimore County. Agriscience is about studying farming and agriculture. Students learn about plants, animals, and how to grow food. The school's mascot is the Bull, and the girls' sports teams are called the "Lady Bulls."

Hereford High School Football

The Hereford High School varsity football team, known as the "Bulls," is very famous in Maryland. They have won three state championships. These wins happened in 1997, 2001, and 2002. Much of their success is thanks to their coach, Steve Turnbaugh.

Bull Run Cross Country Invitational

Hereford High School also hosts a huge running event called the "Bull Run" Cross Country Invitational. It takes place every year in late September. Over 100 schools from many states come to compete.

The course is known for being very tough. It has many hills, twists, and turns. There's even a steep ravine called "The Dip." People often call it "The Toughest Three Miles in Cross-Country."

Arts and Music Programs

The Hereford Theatre program has won many awards. In 2005, they won "Best Musical" for their show Pippin. They received this award at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.

The Hereford Ladies Faire and Chamber Choir are also very talented. They are known as one of the best choirs in the county. They consistently receive top scores in music competitions every year.

Prettyboy Reservoir

The Prettyboy Reservoir is a large body of water in the Hereford Zone. It covers an area of about 206.5 square kilometers. This reservoir is held back by the beautiful Prettyboy Dam, which is built on the Gunpowder River. Reservoirs like Prettyboy are important because they store water for people to use.