Groundbreaking Ceremony Is Part of the Broader BCRP Rec Rollout Initiative

BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, May 8, 2024) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP), and City and State officials announced plans to transform a Northwest Baltimore swimming pool at a groundbreaking ceremony. The construction of a brand-new Towanda Aquatic Center is part of the City's Rec Rollout initiative and broader effort to replace aging pool infrastructure with brand-new, state-of-the-art aquatics facilities.

BCRP is teaming with CannonDesign to equitably invest in upgrading City pools to ensure that all residents have access to modern, world-class pools. Towanda’s brand-new swim facility will feature a lap pool, zero-entry wading pool, beach entrance, pool house, aquatics office, mechanical room, and restrooms.

“My administration has made overcoming the decades of disinvestment and lack of resources for our Rec & Parks facilities, including our swimming pools, an absolute top priority,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Every young person deserves access to world-class facilities, and we’ve already seen the impact that upgrades like this can make, particularly in the completion of projects like the Druid Park Pool and the pool facilities at the new Cherry Hill Rec Center. Many of these pools have been left without needed investment or renovation for far too long, but we’re changing that narrative. While these projects require a small amount of patience, the vast majority of our pools will be open across the city this summer, and the brand new Towanda Aquatic Center will be well worth the wait when it reopens soon.”

Later this month, the City will begin demolishing Towanda’s original swimming pool, built in 1972, mechanical system; aquatic structures; and playground. The City will relocate and replace the current playground, which sits outside of the gates of the pool, to another area of the recreational campus.

This $7.5-million project is supported by both ARPA and Pimlico Community Development Authority funding investments. The new Towanda Aquatic Center is expected to open in 2025 and is the second of six neighborhood pools slated for a comprehensive makeover in the coming months and years.

“Under Mayor Brandon Scott’s leadership, we continue to advance our Rec Rollout by improving our recreational spaces. Through this investment, the City is showing its commitment to improving its pools and providing top-flight facilities for Baltimoreans to enjoy right in their neighborhoods,” said BCRP Executive Director Reginald Moore. “Across the city, we have aging pool infrastructure that we’re addressing. I’m excited about our strategy to transform our inventory by installing state-of-the-art swimming pools for our residents to utilize throughout the summer.”

BCRP’s Rec Rollout includes a series of playground ribbon cuttings and groundbreaking celebrations announcing recreation center and pool projects. The City is slated to continue announcing upgrades for several recreation spaces throughout 2024.

For event registration, and to stay up-to-date with these events and more, visit https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/recreation, 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/.

About the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provided $641 million to the City of Baltimore in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. Mayor Brandon M. Scott has established the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs to transparently and effectively administer this funding on behalf of the City. For additional information, visit the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs website at arp.baltimorecity.gov.