By DONNA BALANCIA
BALTIMORE – Phase II of Rash Field Park in the Inner Harbor was officially opened on Wednesday and “everyone who’s anyone” involved in the improvement of Baltimore was on hand to celebrate. Phase II of the “beach within the city” project features volleyball and pickleball courts, a winding nature trail, a large green lawn and a place to sit and relax — in the shade.
It took many years, a lot of effort and many millions to open Rash Field, a 5-plus acre area that was on the wish list of many retail and tourism groups, nature and sports organizations and Baltimore residents for what seemed like forever. Phase I, which includes a nature area and a skate park, was opened in 2001.
Dan Taylor, president of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, credited a long list of individuals, groups and organizations, to whom he addressed as “everyone who is anyone, including all of you, here today.”
In addition to reps from across Baltimore, Taylor gave a special shoutout to Reggie Moore current director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks for the hard work in all types of weather.
But it was communication among and to all the different groups that made the difference. Taylor said the key to developing the beautiful and functional park was actively engaging with community members.
“This park is incredible,” he said. “This park is really incredible because of who it is for and how we got here. This is a park for Baltimore. I know this because when we started this project we asked what people wanted out of their waterfront. What we got was not the pieces of the park … what we heard was people wanted some shade and a place to sit. Somewhere where they could relax and enjoy the water. A place in the Inner Harbor where they could go and not feel like they had to buy something. They needed a park.”
Taylor said since Phase I opened in 2001, attendance has rocketed from a handful of people a day to 20,000 people a month. He said the majority of visitors have been from zip code 21215, Park Heights. “And we see the same level of visitation from Pigtown and Hollins Market as we do from Federal Hill and Riverside. This is a park for all of Baltimore.”
Senate President Bill Ferguson said he was looking forward to challenging Mayor Brandon Scott to a game of pickleball in revenge for the mayor “doing circles” around him during the launch of the kayak center at the Inner Harbor.
“A challenge is coming on the pickleball court, Mr. Mayor,” he said. “And it is program open space dollars on the line.”
“Number 2, I am so unbelievably excited about this park and what we are doing here today. This is exactly what it looks like when we get things right,” he said. “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody but only when everybody is involved in that process. And that is exactly what Waterfront Partnership did here. And what we have seen at Rash Field with Phase I, Phase II and the kayak launch, is truly something for everyone.”
It’s an investment in people and spaces to allow them to thrive at a time when no matter what else is happening they can find the power of human connection.”
Mayor Brandon Scott jabbed Sen. Ferguson, basically telling him he will bring an experienced pickleball team to rise to the challenge.
“My good friend the Senate President has bitten off more than he can chew,” Mayor Scott said. “He may not know that someone he plays pickleball with all the time pushed me to play this summer and I’ve been practicing, so be wary.
The mayor praised all the people who supported this project, including VOLO, SOS, Kayak Black, and most importantly “every single person who supported this project, because this project is one that’s very important to all of us.”
“Obviously it’s the gateway for everything for Baltimore City, here at the Inner Harbor,” he said. “Baltimore is limitless when we work together in partnership. That’s the thing we should think about.”
The mayor said Phase II was difficult between the pandemic and rising costs. But because of all the enthusiastic partners it came together.
“Working together we made this happen,” he said. “Baltimore made this happen for all Baltimoreans. This is something for everybody and every Baltimorean.”
“It is so beautiful,” said Gary Day, a local resident. “I came out today to see the grand opening and take a look.”
“It’s wonderful to have a great park here at the Inner Harbor,” said Martha Perel, who traveled from North Baltimore to check out the event. “It’s simply wonderful.”
“This is Phase II of Rash Field, the last and final completed,” said Leanna Wetmore, director of programs and events for waterfront Partnership. “My favorite part is the beach area it has beach grasses, is it feels like you’re on the Eastern Shore, you can sit with your feet in the sand. That’s my favorite. But also the open sports field, there’s the bones and architecture to support local talent whether it’s sports, music or art or science.
What were the challenges?
“I think just the amount of time this type of thing takes,” Wetmore said. “Laurie Schwartz she was our former president and she started it in 2010 with the vision, then working with the community to figure out what components work and what we’re missing.
“Keeping the amount of space the volleyballers really wanted, for instance,” she said. “I think just the time and the vision, it’s taken two presidents of Waterfront Partnership but we have a unique ability to get private and public and state and federal partnerships to work together. We’re building from the strength of what’s here already and highlighting it.”
