Parks with Purpose in Baltimore

Garrett Park is a hidden gem of greenspace nestled in the heart of the South Baltimore neighborhood of Brooklyn. This park hosts some of the most spectacular views of Baltimore’s Harbor. The land for Garrett Park was donated in 1925 and developed into the central hub for the Brooklyn neighborhood residents and organizations. Today, the Greater Baybrook Alliance is energized to rebuild the Park as a focal point of place-making and community.

Presently, the redevelopment of Garrett Park has served as a focal point for community building among local institutions and organizations. Rejuvenated community interest in the revitalization of Garrett Park has prompted community projects such as the Garrett Park Neighborhood lights event, community organized park clean-up events, and afterschool sports leagues for neighborhood children.

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO CONSERVATION

Garrett Park not only offers a place for children and communities to gather and find healthy recreation opportunities and therapeutic nature experiences, it also provides a suite of ecosystem services. Located next to the Patapsco River, Garrett Park offers crucial storm water retention which helps to protect the watershed from excessive flooding and polluted runoff that threatens the water quality of the river. The park also provides erosion control through tree canopy and plantings, while also offering crucial habitat for urban wildlife. The Brooklyn community in collaboration with the Fund, is exploring opportunities for Green Infrastructure in the Garrett Park revitalization plan to maximize the ecosystem services that the park can provide.

WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS

The Brooklyn neighborhood sits on the edge of the Patapsco River and faces the environmental challenges of flooding, rising waters, and water pollution that many low-lying communities face under the pressures of climate change. Ecological resilience is crucial for Brooklyn given the economic and community development challenges this community is fighting to overcome. Residents from the neighborhood have banded together to form a Friends of Garrett Park community group that has begun to utilize this park project as a catalyst to realize the triple bottom line community benefits of healthy environment, economy, and society.

In partnership with APA and Design for America, the Friends of Garrett Park developed a Community Action Plan that details various aspects of the community’s vision for the Garrett Park revitalization process. The Conservation Fund and the Greater Baybrook Alliance are working together with several local organizations and institutional partners to return the park to its former glory as a community hub and treasured asset; A Park with Purpose.