Baltimore City – MD issued the following announcement on Feb. 28.
Mayor Announces $41 Million in American Rescue Plan Act Funding to Build Foundation for Ambitious Plan to Improve City’s Recreation Infrastructure
Mayor Brandon M. Scott, alongside City Administrator Christopher Shorter, Director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) Reginald Moore, Chief Recovery Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs Shamiah Kerney, Councilman James Torrence, CEO and President of the Parks & People Foundation Dr. Franklin Lance, Laurie Schwartz Executive Director of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Executive Director of the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership Brad Rogers, KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff, and Vice President of Community Relations for the Baltimore Ravens Heather Darney, President of the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Neighborhood Association Mark Washington, and President of the South Baltimore Community Land Trust Meleny Thomas, announced a new era of recreation and park improvements throughout Baltimore City.
The $41 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation will allow BCRP to take a much-needed first step in addressing the systemic lack of investment in recreation. The funding would roughly allot $10 million for public pools, $20 million for recreation centers, $5 million for playgrounds, $1 million for trails, and $2 million for athletic fields and courts.
“The presence of all of these partners coming together in support of our communities signals a new spirit of collaboration and a unified vision around improving recreational opportunities across our city. This is about showing our residents — especially our young people — that they matter. That we recognize their needs, are committed to their wellbeing, and are going to put our money where our mouth is by providing them with safe 21st-century spaces to exercise, develop life skills, and spend their time productively,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This is another tool in the toolbox as we rebuild public safety in Baltimore City. Growing up in Park Heights and going to our city’s rec centers, I have seen firsthand the profound positive impact that recreation and parks have on our communities. They can literally save lives. We are following through on our promises to provide Clean and Healthy Communities, Prioritize Youth, and Build Public Safety.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: Baltimore City – MD
