Projects and Improvements
In 2019, BCRP prioritized the strategic management of several capital improvement projects. Relying on the funding from the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore and partner donations, BCRP has completed $27 million in capital development projects--with more to come in 2020.
All Captial projects go through a multi-step lifecycle.
Go to: Master Planning / In Design / Out for Bid / Under Construction
Check out the current status of our completed projects below:
Harlem Park Recreation Center Reopening
Address: 700 N. Calhoun St. 21217
Project Manager: Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
Status Update:
August 2019, Harlem Park Recreation Center in West Baltimore opened its doors to the public for the first time since its closing in 2012. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks in collaboration with the University of Maryland Medical Center restored and renovated the center. New lighting, books, games and sporting equipment, an upgraded multipurpose room, among other updates were added to the center.
Watch the video from UMMC on how this renovation came together
Baltimore Sun: Article 1, Article 2
McKim Park Playground
Address: 1251 E. Fayette St, 21202
Project Manager: Denise Johnson-Caldwell, MLA, CPSI, NGICP
Status Update:
New playground, basketball court, and walking paths in collaboration with the construction of the Ronald McDonald House.
Florence Cummings Fitness Equipment
Address: 2501 Maisel St, 21230
Project Manager: Kate Brower, MSUP, MLA
Status Update:
First phase implementation of the Park Master Plan developed with the Westport community. The Ninja-Warrior style fitness course was built in collaboration with KABOOM!
Shake & Bake Bowling Alley Renovation
Address: 1601 Pennsylvania Ave, 21217
Project Managers: Wally Stephenson, Demos Anastasiades, Matt Otremba, and Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
Status Update:
Complete renovation including 24 regulation bowling lanes, scoring systems, lounge-style seating, concessions, an arcade, and billiards.
Explore Shake and Bake's Page Here!
See images from the opening here
Little Italy Bocce Courts
Address: 902 Stiles St, 21202
Project Manager: Adam Boarman, RLA
Status Update:
Renovation of two existing bocce courts to provide shade, pedestrian seating, lighting, and ADA access while improving court drainage.
See images from the opening here
ABC/Catherine Street Park, Phase I
Address: 501 S. Catherine Street, 21223
Project Manager: Denise Johnson-Caldwell, MLA, CPSI, NGICP
Status Update Phase I Completed:
- Playground, splash pad, and basketball court opened in September as part of a Grand Opening celebration with the National Recreation & Parks Association
- Phase II is currently under construction
See images from the opening here
Watch how this project came together
Latrobe Field House
1627 E Fort Ave. 21230
Project Manager: Adam Boarman, RLA
Status Update:
Originally designed and built in the early 1900s, the 1,665 square feet pavilion will serve as an iconic modern structure for Latrobe Park while maintaining many of the design aesthetics from the original design. The reconstructed building will provide park goers with two new restrooms, storage space, and a performance stage with movie projection capabilities. Latrobe Park was designed and built in 1904 by the Olmsted family, a significant name in the park construction community around the United States, including Central Park. Latrobe Park is not only a historic park in the city of Baltimore but it is located in the historic neighborhood of Locust Point as recognized by the National Historic Register.
At this phase in the process, a general contractor has been contracted to implement the improvements as described in construction drawings and written specifications. Capital Project Managers, Construction Inspectors, and various consultants continually monitor progress, solve problems that arise, provide quality assurance, and approve progress payments to the general contractor.
ABC/Catherine Street Park, Phase II
Address: 501 S. Catherine Street, 21223
Project Manager: Denise Johnson-Caldwell, MLA, CPSI, NGICP
Having held a grand opening of the new park features in September as part of the National Recreation and Parks Convention, we’ve been eagerly anticipating completion of the field house. The structure, set to open this Spring, will house restrooms, storage, and flexible community space.
Bocek Park Rec Center
Address: 3000 E. Madison Street, 21205
Project Manager: Raymond Nyakoe, RA
- Complete interior renovation includes a lobby/ teen space, computer lab, restrooms, and community room.
- Design accommodations were made for a future gymnasium addition that will allow for expanded programming.
- Upcoming park master planning and extensive community outreach will further shape a vision for the park, field layout, and a new location for the outdoor basketball court.
Druid Hill Aquatic Center
Address: 3001 East Dr, 21217
Project Manager: Will Andersen, PLA
Major pool improvements to include a new kiddie splash pool, renovated main pools and mechanical systems, aquatic play structures, and shade features. To complement the aquatic upgrades, a brand new bathhouse will include restrooms, locker rooms, and concessions. The re-opening of the pool is projected for the 2022 swim season.
Community Feedback Surveys:
Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena
Address: 6101 Hillen Road, 21239
Project Manager: Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
A significant renovation of the locker rooms, main bathrooms, lobby, concessions, and exterior entrance sequence
Jones Falls Trail – Phase V
Project Manager: David Tornkvist
- Stretching from Cylburn Arboretum through Mount Washington Village, this latest section of the trail traverses a wide variety of landscapes and elevation changes. Of note is the pedestrian bridge over Northern Parkway which has taken on iconic status for the trail that is anticipated for completion this Summer.
- The Jones Falls Trail originates at the Inner Harbor and includes a total of 10.1 miles constructed by Recreation and Parks with the addition of Phase V
Clifton Park Tennis Courts
Address: 2701 Saint Lo Drive, 21213
Project Manager: Will Andersen, PLA
- Renovation to include 11 tennis courts, new lighting, and ADA access
- Two courts will have striping for Pickle Ball
Cahill Fitness & Wellness Center
Address: 4001 Clifton Avenue, 21216
Project Manager: Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP, Marisa Torres
- New construction of a 35,000 square footage rec center that will include a gymnasium, natatorium, performance theater, fitness studio, and community space.
- Exterior improvements will include a splash pad and basketball court
Watch our 2019 Year In Review Video to see Cahill's progress
At this phase, our contract administrator has worked with the project manager and design consultants to prepare a construction document package that will be publically advertised for bid. Contractors that meet city pre-qualifications for the work and can demonstrate adherence to all City contract requirements, including Minority and Women's Business Opportunity Office (MWBOO), goals, wage rates, local hiring, etc. are eligible to bid.
Want to work with the City of Baltimore as a contractor? Click here to pre-qualify.
Middle Branch Fitness & Wellness Center
Address: Reedbird Avenue, 21225
Project Manager: Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
- New construction of a 35,000 square footage rec center that will include a gymnasium, natatorium, fitness studios, open fitness, walking track, and community space.
- Phased exterior improvements will include a synthetic turf multipurpose field, grass athletic fields, walking trails, a playground, dog park, and basketball courts
Patterson Park Athletic Field Lighting
Address: 200 Linwood Avenue, 21224
Project Manager: Christiane Dreisbusch
Lighting upgrades for the multipurpose field at UTZ Twardowicz and two softball diamonds at Ortmann Field.
At this point in the process, funded projects are moved by the project manager through the design process, including Schematic Design, Concept Design, Design Development, and Construction Documents. Community input is a vital part of this process. When appropriate, projects are submitted to principal review agencies for approval. Upon full approval, a project can then be advertised for construction and a building permit obtained. At any one time, there are over 50 Capital projects in various stages of planning and design.
Check out the latest projects that are currently in the design phase:
Dypski Park Improvements
Address: 1213 S. Ellwood Avenue, 21224
Project Manager: Will Andersen, PLA
Relocation of the pavilion to Gwynns Falls Leakin Park at Sloman Drive. Construction of a new playground and fountain.
Current Budget: $ 725,000
Towanda Recreation Center Renovation
Address: 3000 E. Madison Street 21205
Project Manager: Raymond Nyakoe, RA
- A major renovation of the existing multipurpose room, gymnasium, and kitchen.
- New spaces include a fitness room and a teen lounge.
Winan’s Meadow Center
Address: 4500 N. Franklintown Road, 21217
Project Manager: Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
- Demolition of the existing restroom building.
- New Welcome Center for park programs and public restrooms.
Reptile House Renovation
Address: Greenspring Avenue and Beechwood Drive, 21215
Project Manager: Lance Decker, RA, NCARB, LEED AP
Full interior renovation of the historic Reptile House to create new City office space. The Reptile House was originally a part of the Maryland Zoo as an exhibition site until it closed its doors in 2004. These renovations will be a complete interior transformation into useable office space while maintaining the look and feel of the original building.
Gwynns Falls Maintenance Yard Improvements
Address: 2905 Hillsdale Road, 21201
Project Manager: Bivek Poudyal
Major renovation for park staff includes offices, restroom and storage space.
Burdick Dog Park
Address: 6300 Walther Avenue, 21206
Project Manager: Jennifer Zhai
- New Dog Park within the existing park’s open space.
- Customized fence and gates. Repurposed boulders and logs for play features.
Mary E. Rodman Recreation Center Renovation
Address: 3600 W. Mulberry Street, 21229
Project Manager: Bivek Poudyal
- A significant renovation of interior spaces, restroom upgrades, and air-lock addition.
- Complete roof replacement.
Periodically, parks and regions of parks associated with more extensive development plans are subject to Master Planning. The Master Planning process is a community-driven effort to think holistically about a design that serves as a framework for phased implementation.
Chick Webb, Madison Square, & City Springs Master Plan
Project Manager: Kate Brower, MSUP, MLA
Background
The design effort for Chick Webb MRC and City Springs Park stems from the Perkins Somerset Oldtown (PSO) Transformation Plan, by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City and partially funded by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant Program. Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP) also included Madison Square Recreation Center in the design effort since it is close by and its program elements should complement those in Chick Webb.
- The PSO Transformation Plan can be found here.
- Refer to this link for PSO Transformation Plan updates and progress.
BCRP’s planning effort has involved an extensive public engagement and has included ongoing guidance from a Working Group and public meetings. The Working Group is made up of residents, community leaders and businesses, local institutions, elected officials, and city agencies. Three public meetings were held on 6/12/19 (1), 8/14/19 (2) and 12/19/19 (3). Click the meeting date to review past presentations. A series of more localized public meetings were also held with students of City Springs ES/MS, youth at Chick Webb and Madison Square Recreation Centers, and Latrobe Homes residents. In addition to the public meetings, Perkins Homes residents have been kept informed of the planning process as part of their monthly tenant meetings. Review our most recent 4.24.20 meeting presentation here.
Public Input Survey
The fourth opportunity for public comment and input will be available between April 24th and May 15th. Due to the limitations imposed by the current pandemic, the public format has been moved online in the form of a presentation (dated 4/24) and survey. We encourage you to participate. Review the 4/24 presentation and then take the survey here!
If you cannot complete the survey online, please print the four survey pages, complete the survey and return hard copies (or scan) to Kate Brower at:
| Mailing Address | |
| [email protected] | Kate Brower, Capital Development and Planning, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks 2600 Madison Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217 |
Next Steps
- Review survey input from this presentation to inform next phase of design work.
- Complete summary reports of Schematic Design – May 2020
- BCRP will have the Design Team develop proposals for the next phase of work (Design Development and Construction Documents) – May 2020
- Design Development and Construction Documents Start – Early Summer 2020
- Artist / Interpretation Process with Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts (BOPA) – Summer 2020
- Identification of Additional Funding – Ongoing
- Application to HUD for release of allocated funds – January 2021
CC Jackson Park Expansion
4910 Park Heights Ave, 21215
Project Manager: Kate Brower, MSUP, MLA
- Percent Complete: 95%
- Next Community Meeting date and time to be announced.
Canton Waterfront Park Master Plan
3001 Boston St, 21224
Project Manager: Kate Brower, MSUP, MLA
- Percent Complete: 80%
- Next Community Meeting date and time to be announced.
Solo Gibbs Park Master Plan
1044 Leadenhall St, 21230
Project Manager: Kate Brower, MSUP, MLA
Final Report to be issued Spring 2020
Florence Cummings Park Master Plan
2501 Maisel St, 21230
Project Manager: Kate Brower, MSUP, MLA