Frances Ellen Harper Park
1000 N. Carrollton Ave
Neighborhood: Sandtown
Transforming Baltimore with community rooted green spaces
On September 24, 2024, Parks & People cut the ribbon on Francis Ellen Harper Park, a transformative one-acre green space located at 1000 N Carrollton Ave. in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Developed on 35 parcels of land following demolition, this vibrant park is part of the Baltimore City Green Network Plan, showcasing the city’s commitment to sustainability and community enhancement.
Our role
Parks & People worked with communities in East and West Baltimore on visioning for a post-demolition site space - evaluating challenges, opportunities, and desires. Our thoughtful designs, drummed up from deep and genuine community engagement, have brought to life a series of spaces to allow residents opportunities for respite and recreation while invigorating neighborhoods and the economy.
Partners
Baltimore City Department of Planning, Office of Sustainability
Intreegue Design
Live Green Landscape
Lafayette Square CDC
Supporters
The development of this park was made possible through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Project CORE, which invested $153k into the initiative. This project serves as a model for leveraging public funds to create impactful green spaces in urban settings.
Meeting the Needs of the Sandtown Community
The Francis Ellen Harper Park is designed to provide much-needed recreational and communal space for the 3,252 residents who live within a quarter-mile radius of the park. The park includes amenities such as wooden structural elements, string lights, landscaping, a natural sod green space, and walking paths, fostering a hub of neighborhood engagement, activity, and connection.
A Pilot Project Under the Green Network Plan
Chosen as a pilot site by the Baltimore City Department of Planning and the Office of Sustainability, the park was strategically developed to serve the local community. Construction began in Fall 2023, and the project was successfully completed by Spring 2024, transforming the area into a lively green space.
A Testament to Sustainability and Community Resilience
Francis Ellen Harper Park stands as a symbol of community resilience, sustainability, and the power of green spaces to promote connection, wellness, and growth. Moving forward, Lafayette Square CDC, in partnership with Parks & People, will maintain the park, ensuring it continues to thrive as a vital part of the community for years to come.
The challenge
Our Parks Program recognizes the importance of community green spaces and their impact on the well-being and daily lives of neighboring residents. Notably, quality parks, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces in Baltimore City are disproportionately found throughout the "White L" region that makes up the City's central, wealthier neighborhoods. To combat this disparity, for the past decade Parks & People has developed green spaces almost exclusively in Black Butterfly neighborhoods which report a median annual household income of less than $50,000 and over 40% of the children living below the poverty line.
The vision
