Newly Renamed "Candy Stripe Park" Is First of 23 Brand-New Playspaces Slated For Installation in 2024

BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, April 23, 2024) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP), city and state leaders, and community partners gathered to celebrate the revitalization of a Northwest Baltimore playground, while showcasing plans to upgrade 22 additional playspaces across the city. BCRP installed five brand-new playgrounds in 2023.

The brand-new playground was unveiled at what will now be known as Candy Stripe Park. This Park Heights recreational space — formerly named Cottage Avenue Park — has been colloquially called “Candy Stripe Park” by young people across the community for more than 40 years because of its red and white metal dividers. Now, to honor that tradition and celebrate the upgrades that will solidify it’s place in the neighborhood for years to come, the City is making the name official.

Candy Stripe Park Playground, whose equipment dates back to 1997, is one of six playspaces the City is renovating utilizing Local Parks & Playground Infrastructure (LPPI) funding. The City is also revamping 17 additional playgrounds through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Playground renovations are part of Phase I of the upgrades planned for Candy Stripe Park. This summer, the City will install a brand-new basketball court as part of Phase II.

“Everyone in my home neighborhood of Park Heights, and across Northwest Baltimore, has known this space as Candy Stripe Park – and today, I’m proud to make it official, while also ensuring the space is here to stay,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Every single young person in Baltimore deserves access to world-class playspaces – and that is what we helped deliver today. Rec & Parks has always been at the top of our priority list – because it makes a tangible difference in the lives of Baltimoreans of all ages. I want to thank the BCRP team and all of our community partners who have helped make today’s unveiling possible.”

In 2021, the City of Baltimore received $41 million in ARPA funding to upgrade public spaces and parks. The City is allocating $5 million to update local playspaces. Upgrades at Candy Stripe Park — which now includes a brand-new, ADA accessible Little Tykes playspace and will eventually feature a brand-new basketball court — represents a total investment of more than $300,000.

“Candy Stripe Park Playground is the first of several brand-new, state-of-the art playgrounds that we’re installing in 2024. We’re going from community to community working to improve our recreational spaces. Investing in our playspaces is the best way to impact and engage our young people,” said Director Reginald Moore, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks. “Under the Scott Administration, we’ve been afforded the opportunity to be innovative, creative, and to think outside of the box. We’re grateful to Mayor Scott for his commitment of ARPA funding, and for the support from the State, in making these projects possible. We’re excited about the brand-new playgrounds that are coming online this year.”

BCRP’s Rec Rollout includes playground ribbon cuttings and a series of groundbreaking celebrations announcing upcoming recreational projects. The City is slated to announce upgrades at Towanda Swimming Pool next month.

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/.