By AFRO Staff
On Aug. 13, the Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) reopened the popular Harlem Park Recreation Center, at 700 N. Calhoun St., in West Baltimore. The reopening of Harlem Park brings the city’s rec center total to 44.
In collaboration with the University of Maryland Medical Center, the center has been restored and renovated to include new lighting, books, games and sporting equipment, an upgraded multipurpose room, among other updates. Community members, partners and members of the press were among the attendees at the grand reopening. This is the first time the Harlem Park Recreation Center has operated since its closing in 2012.
“Returning this essential community asset to the residents of Harlem Park has been a priority of mine since I was City Council President and I am proud that as Mayor I will be able to return this jewel to the community,” said Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “This new facility will be a gathering space for the neighborhood and a safe haven for its youth. Reflecting my commitment to rebuild our neighborhoods and provide positive recreational engagement for our residents.”
Pop-up programs will take place beginning Aug. 14 and the center will operate Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Tuesday’s and Thursday’s 5-9 p.m. The center will be fully operational beginning September 2019 with youth and adult programs, volunteer opportunities, sports leagues, out-of-school learning, summer camp and much more. Starting Labor Day Weekend, all city recreation centers will operate Monday through Saturday.
Harlem Park Recreation Center, Baltimore, MD (Screengrab YouTube)
“The restoration of this center has been a long time coming,” said Reginald Moore, executive director of Baltimore City Recreation & Parks. “We’ve listened to the surrounding communities to not only bring back the Harlem Park Rec Center, but to provide recreational opportunities tailored to their needs. We are thankful to partners like the UMMC for the importance of enriching our communities through recreation and working alongside our dedicated staff to bring back one of its community staples.”