Howard Park (Baltimore, MD) is a community in which residents enjoy easy access to Downtown entertainment, major commuting routes and public transportation, all while living among tree-lined, quiet streets in primarily larger single-family homes with spacious yards. However, Howard Park is in the western ‘wing’ of Baltimore’s ‘Black Butterfly’. The neighborhood has experienced population stagnation over the decades, and current residents in this area are 90% African American and 22% seniors. The Howard Park Civic Association works to advance and encourage the revitalization of the community and to build a strong, civically educated community through communication, cooperation, planning and leadership. Formed in 1947, they are one of the oldest continuous operating homeowner associations In Baltimore City.
Inspired by former airways-turned-parks in Berlin, which are now used for rollerblading, walking, and other recreation, the Association would like to bring such intentional, contemplative space to Howard Park as that is a need that also emerged during community canvassing they did. The site they have chosen is a city-owned lot that had been abandoned for many years, but was adopted by the Association in 2022. The area had been abandoned for many years with dumping and tall grass, and is prime for redevelopment into a Sacred Place. This site would be open to all but in particular serve seniors in this neighborhood, who are less able to access the other green spaces in Howard Park.
