Community-based Projects

The Department of Planning (DOP) funds a community-selected priority project in each INSPIRE area. The projects identified in the INSPIRE planning process often create or improve places for residents to play, socialize, and participate in activities. DOP partners with residents, neighborhood organizations, City agencies, Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA), and other non-profit organizations to achieve these projects. 

See images of all the community projects. 

See public art projects. 

See "before and after" photos of some of the community projects.

Information regarding these community-selected priority projects will continue to update below, as development progresses.

Dorothy I. Height - German Park Improvements	Patterson Building School/Community Garden & Lighting	Robert Poole Building Lights at Skate Park of Baltimore, Roosevelt Park
Forest Park + Calvin Rodwell Pedestrian Alley	Arundel + Cherry Hill Accessible Walking Path	Bay Brook Farring Baybrook Trail
Arlington School/Community Garden	Lyndhurst  Veteran Memorial Garden	Fort Worthington School/Community Garden
Pimlico Landscaped Community Space	Frederick Community Signs	John Ruhrah  Umbra Street Park, To Be Determined

Fordney Lane Pedestrian Alley

During the Forest Park and Calvin Rodwell INSPIRE planning process, the community decided that enhancing the pedestrian alley on 3600-block of Fordney Lane was a top priority. The 3600-block of Fordney Lane is a pedestrian alley between Eldorado Avenue and Hicks Avenue that connects Liberty Heights Avenue and the southern end of the Forest Park High School campus along Chatham Road. The pedestrian alley leads to a set of steps remaining from the original 1924 school building. The modernized Forest Park High School includes a new walking path that connects Chatham Road on the south side of the campus to the modernized school building.  Currently, most students do not use the 3600-block of Fordney Lane to get to school due to its very poor condition. The sidewalk is broken, tree limbs hang down into the walking path, and there is no pedestrian-level lighting making the alley very unwelcoming at night.

Since the adoption of the Forest Park and Calvin Rodwell INSPIRE Plan, the Department of Planning and the Department of Transportation have been working hard to create designs and a scope of work which will include new sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, tree trimming, and new decorative bollards.

German Park Improvements

Construction Updates as of Monday, March 23, 2020: Believe it or not, the final phase of German Park INSPIRE + BRNI funds + Healthy Neighborhoods upgrades are finally happening!  Over $300,000 is being invested into the park.  A huge thank you to all at Recreation and Parks for making this a reality! Below are the complete construction updates for the playground to share with all your networks, friends and neighbors: Starting today, work will take place over 3-4 weeks, weather and COVID-19 permitting. IMPORTANT!  THE ENTIRE PLAYGROUND WILL BE CLOSED DURING CONSTRUCTION!! Work hours will be 7-3:30, Monday thru Friday. I’m attaching the construction plans created by Cityscape Engineering.  Additionally, attached are the equipment cut sheets so you have a digestible visual on what will be installed. Two bikes plus one everything else. Site layout, fencing and demolition/ excavation started today.  Playground/ exercise equipment is scheduled to arrive on the 30th, and will begin install that week. The signs(2) have been reviewed and approved by Rec and Parks, and were ordered however the manufacturer is closing for two weeks, so install will likely take place at the end of construction. Benches and trashcans provided by Rec and Parks will installed in near future.  We will have an update from Rec and Parks as construction and city services during COVID-19 progresses.   Construction end is mid-late April, again weather and COVID-19 permitting. Related documents: Sports Bike Combi 2 Pro Swing Twist and Swing German Park Playground Equipment Drawings

Throughout the Dorothy I. Height Elementary School (formerly John Eager Howard) INSPIRE planning process, community members readily agreed that improving recreation spaces in the neighborhood was a top priority, and INSPIRE funding should be utilized to improve German Park. 

INSPIRE GO bond funding is helping to implement the vision of a German Park Master Plan, completed by the Neighborhood Design Center. The Master Plan provides a vision that incorporates input from the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, St. Francis Neighborhood Center, residents and the City. The park is currently owned by the City’s Housing and Community Development Department; Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) will be taking the park into its inventory once the capital improvements are complete.  BCRP have been an active lead in the master planning process. The plan addresses key issues including accessibility and keeping the park safe and clean. 

Phase 1 improvements funded with the INSPIRE GO bond funding include:

• Mural: To kick off the improvements, last summer (2017), the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and Jubilee Arts Art @ Work program completed a mural.
• Demolition of the seating plaza on Linden Avenue and some walls within the park to help with safety and access.
• Addition of ADA Accessible entrances, a walking/tricycle loop and great lawn.
• Tree trimming to assist with safety and visibility issues.

Additionally, in partnership with the community and INSPIRE, Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. has received funding through the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative (BRNI) to further fund Phase 2 of the park upgrades.  Phase 2 improvements include:

• Complete electrical and lighting upgrades.
• Playground upgrades including the addition of swings and potentially exercise equipment.
• Landscaping and Beautification.