The revitalization of the East Baltimore neighborhood north of the Johns Hopkins medical campus reached another milestone with the May 6 ribbon cutting to welcome community members to Eager Park.
Dozens of community residents, Mayor Catherine Pugh and other elected officials, and Johns Hopkins leaders and staff turned out on the cool, breezy Saturday to celebrate the official opening of the $14 million park, with three blocks of new green space that features a water fountain, exercise equipment and an amphitheater. Eventually, the park will include a playground and community garden.
The Dunbar High School marching band led a parade for several blocks to the 5.5-acre site, then kicked off the event. The ceremony began under the amphitheater with the band’s rendition of “Lift Every Voice.” A pouring of libations, an ancient African tradition to remember the ancestors and to honor the community, and remarks followed.
Johns Hopkins University President Ronald Daniels thanked the community for “giving us the opportunity to build our neighborhood together.” Paul Rothman, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, also recognized the partnership and commitment of the community. Lisa Francis, a longtime resident and community activist who says she worked with East Baltimore Development Inc. (EBDI) to secure amenities such as the garden, also praised the hard-fought transformation.
After cutting the ribbon, officials planted a tree, then the festival began. As music with aspirational lyrics such as “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” played, children, family members and community leaders strolled the lush grounds lined with flowers and scrubs, enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers, and stopped in the mobile job center. Others took pictures with the Oriole bird, kicked around soccer balls and tested out the exercise equipment
Jerry Taylor, a radiation safety employee with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, attended the celebration with his wife, Linda, and four of their grandchildren. Recalling that “it was a disaster area with boarded up homes,” the family moved from the neighborhood then returned last year and bought a home on McDonogh Street. “I’m glad they’ve invested in the area,” Taylor said.
As part of his remarks, Scott Levitan of EBDI, asked for 200 volunteers to help build a community playground
Bordered by Ashland and North Wolfe avenues, the park sits north of the recently opened FastForward 1812, an innovation lab for Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, and is surrounded by newly constructed and renovated townhomes, as well as established row houses.
Future plans for the area include construction of a 15-story Marriott Residence Inn with 194 extended stay rooms which is expected to be completed in the fall, apartment rentals with retail space, additional townhomes for sale.
See a photo gallery of the event on The Hub.
