City and Partners investing nearly $250K in Reimagined Playspace

BALTIMORE, MD. (Monday, May 8, 2023) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott joined Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP), city leaders and stakeholders in celebrating the revitalization of a 50-year-old playground in Northwest Baltimore at Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School. The ribbon cutting event on May 8, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. will kick off the "Rec Rollout" series of recreational facility groundbreakings mentioned in Mayor Scott's State of the City Address last month.

"With this project, the City is demonstrating its continued commitment to prioritizing our youth. Playgrounds are an important meeting place for our young people, so we want to ensure that we're providing quality playspaces," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "When children gather at playgrounds, it's a place for them to keep active, build lasting friendships, feel a sense of belonging, and sharpen skills that will serve them for a lifetime."

The Mayor Scott, BCRP, Councilman Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer (District 5), Baltimore City Public Schools, and Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI), partnered to bring the reimagined playground to fruition. This project represents an investment of nearly $250,000.

"We consistently assess the recreational needs of our communities. The City of Baltimore is dedicated to working with its residents, elected officials, partners, staff, and other stakeholders to ensure we're offering safe, modern playspaces for our youth," said Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Executive Director Reginald Moore. "We are grateful that our partners and stakeholders share our vision of providing top-notch amenities for our communities."

Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School's original playground, originally constructed from wood, became a safety hazard with exposed nails and missing wooden planks. The revived playspace features KOMPAN playground equipment with a horse-themed design - a tie into the nearby Pimlico Race Course.

"Having grown up in the Fallstaff neighborhood and the many hours I spent on the old playground, I am elated for the entire community and future generations to have a new and greatly improved place to play," said Baltimore City Councilman Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer (District 5).

Playgrounds in parks and schoolyards are vital resources for Baltimore youth to strengthen their physical, social, and emotional health. The City prioritizes providing children with safe, accessible places to play in all neighborhoods.

For event registration, and to stay up-to-date with these events and more, visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Recnparks.

About Baltimore City Recreation & Parks

Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP) is Baltimore's leading provider of affordable, year-round recreational activities. BCRP builds a stronger Baltimore one community at a time through conservation, well-being and social equity. BCRP manages and maintains 263 parks, 51 recreation centers, 25 miles of biking and hiking trails, and approximately 4,700 acres of parkland. To learn more about our programs and services, visit http://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/.