Overview
Our Commitment to Baltimore City
Baltimore City Recreation and Parks helps people stay healthy, have fun, and enjoy the outdoors. We teach how playing, moving, and being active is good for your body, your mind, and your friendships.
We offer lots of free and low-cost programs, parks, and places to play all over the city. With over 250 parks, long trails to walk or bike, and many fun programs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Our Mission
To help people in Baltimore stay healthy and active by offering fun programs, taking care of parks, and making sure everyone has safe places to play.
Our Vision
We want to build stronger neighborhoods in Baltimore through:
- Conservation (taking care of nature)
- Health and Wellness (helping people stay healthy)
- Social Equity (making sure everyone is included)
Conservation
Parks help protect nature and give people a place to enjoy the outdoors. We speak up for open spaces, help kids connect with nature, plant more trees, and teach people how to take care of the environment.
Health and Wellness
We help people live healthier lives. Our programs fight big problems like unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, and hunger by giving people places to move, play, and learn about health.
Social Equity
We believe everyone should be able to use parks and programs—no matter their age, income, background, or ability. We work to make sure all people have fair access to fun, safe, and welcoming places in their communities.
REC ROLLOUT
In 2022, the City made a big plan to improve parks and recreation areas. It promised to spend $120 million to fix up these spaces. Part of that money—$41 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—is going toward better parks and public areas. $5.5 million of it is being used to update playgrounds.
Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) is celebrating these changes with events like ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies to share news about upcoming projects. The City will keep working on new and improved playgrounds and recreation spaces through 2026.
Playgrounds in parks and schools are very important for kids in Baltimore. They help children stay active, make friends, and grow strong and healthy. The City is working to make sure all kids have safe, fun places to play in every neighborhood.
Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking Celebrations:
2025
- 2/7 - Easterwood Playground Ribbon Cutting
- 2/24 - Bocek Center Gymnasium Groundbreaking
2024
- 9/25 - Briscoe Park Basketball Court Ribbon Cutting
- 4/15 - Gardenville Recreation Center Groundbreaking
- 4/15 - Medfield Recreation Center Ribbon Cutting
- 4/23 - Candy Stripe Park Playground Ribbon Cutting
- 5/8 - Towanda Swimming Pool Groundbreaking
- 5/25 - Patterson Park Swimming Pool Ribbon Cutting
- 6/18 - Riverside Park Ribbon Cutting
- 6/20 - Coldstream Swimming Pool Groundbreaking
- 7/22 - Pimlico Field Park Ribbon Cutting
- 8/2 - Mary Pat Clarke Playground Unveiling
- 8/12 - Carroll Park Recreation Center Ribbon Cutting
- 8/30 - Ambrose Kennedy Swimming Pool Ribbon Cutting
2023
- 5/8- Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School Playground Ribbon Cutting
- 5/15- James D. Gross Recreation Center Groundbreaking
- 5/24- Chick Webb Recreation Center Groundbreaking
- 6/21- Solo Gibbs Park Playground Ribbon Cutting
- 7/10- Ambrose Kennedy Pool Groundbreaking
- 9/25- Indiana Avenue Playground Groundbreaking
- 11/15- Parkview Recreation Center Groundbreaking
- 12/2- William J. Myers Pavilion Ribbon Cutting
- 12/14- Radecke Playground Ribbon Cutting
- 12/20- Walter P. Carter Swimming Pool Groundbreaking
Other Benefits of Recreation and Parks Programs and Services:
- Helps reduce obesity and incidence of chronic disease by providing opportunities to increase rigorous physical activity in a variety of forms.
- Provides a connection to nature which studies demonstrate relieves stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships, and improves mental health.
- Aids in reducing hunger in America and increasing access to nutritious food options.
- Foster's overall wellness and healthful habits and engaging in enrichment opportunities that add balance to life.
Parks and Recreation facilities are powerful engines of economic activity! Contributing to higher real estate values, tourism, and economic development, local parks, and recreation agencies generate over 150 billion dollars in economic activity nationally.
Click the National Recreation and Park Association articles below to read more about the benefits of Parks and Recreation: