BALTIMORE, MD.  — Today, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, along with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP), announced the expansion of the Slow Streets Pilot Program. Mayor Young issued the following statement:

“I want to thank the Director Steve Sharkey and Director Reginald Moore for the hard work their departments have put into making this pilot successful enough to expand,” Mayor Young said. “This expansion will allow us to continue helping residents get exercise outside while practicing social distancing.”

The new addition to the pilot program will provide traffic modifications to S. Linwood Avenue from E. Baltimore Street to Eastern Avenue allowing “local traffic only” so that residents maintain neighborhood access while providing safe opportunities for people to walk, run, and bike while practicing social distancing. 

After a successful launch of the pilot programs at Druid Hill Park and Lake Montebello, DOT, in partnership with BCRP, determined that S. Linwood Avenue and E. Lombard Street, which surround Patterson Park, can further promote exercise activities with safe social distancing protocols.  The new addition to the pilot program at Patterson Park will begin Thursday, May 21, 2020. 

Residents visiting Patterson Park must stay in compliance with proper social distancing rules of 6 feet.  If residents do not follow social distancing protocols, the program will be terminated immediately.  Some parking areas may temporarily close as needed to minimize congestion. 

The following streets have been impacted by soft closures:

• S. Linwood Avenue and E. Baltimore Street - Traffic calming barriers and only local traffic allowed.
• S. Linwood Avenue and E. Lombard Street - Traffic calming barriers and only local traffic allowed.
• S. Linwood Avenue and E. Pratt Street - Traffic calming barriers and only local traffic allowed.
• S. Linwood Avenue and Eastern Avenue - Traffic calming barriers and only local traffic allowed.

As the COVID-19 public health emergency continues, a stay-at-home order remains in effect.  All residents should only leave home for essential activities.  Residents who leave home for essential activities must practice proper social distancing and stay six feet apart from people not in their household.

For more information on the city’s continued response to COVID-19, visit https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov