Greening Baltimore with Parks & People

Live Baltimore staff recently toured the headquarters of Parks & People, located in Druid Hill Park, with members of their team. Read on to learn about the organization’s work citywide as well as its historic West  Baltimore campus.

About Parks & People

Parks & People is a nonprofit whose mission is to spark wonder through play, education, and nature, creating a community of environmental stewards for a healthier Baltimore. They aim to reverse decades of disinvestment in West and East Baltimore by restoring green spaces and creating places where families can play, learn, and connect with nature.

Their Projects

Over the past four decades, Parks & People has completed 52 park projects covering 40 acres, impacting over 100,000 residents in 33 neighborhoods. Some of their current and recent projects include Greenmount Parkand Henrietta Lacks Educational Park in Johnston Square, playgrounds at Liberty Elementary, Cecil Elementary, and Hamilton Elementary/Middle School, and Darley Park in East Baltimore-Midway.

Their Programs

In addition to their lasting impact on Baltimore’s green spaces, Parks & People also invests in Baltimore’s greatest asset—its residents—through two youth programs: Branches, a paid conservation internship program for high schoolers, and a free academic summer camp called SuperKids. They also work closely with neighborhood associations, churches, and other nonprofits to make possible a variety of green placemaking initiatives.

“Accessibility to green space can determine the feel of a neighborhood. I relish spending my time in one of Baltimore’s largest parks. I want other City residents to have this opportunity as well.”

-Gabriel Carter, Communications Manager for Parks & People

The Green Campus

Parks & People’s nine-acre campus, located across from the Mondawmin transit station on the very western edge of Druid Hill Park, is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The 1872 Stone House was designed by George Frederick, the architect responsible for City Hall and Druid Hill’s iconic Moorish Tower and other pavilions. It served as the home of the Superintendent of Druid Hill Park (and several other park-adjacent organizations) until the 1980s. The building was in disrepair when Parks & People took ownership after years of vacancy and several fires. (Learn more about the Stone House’s storied past in this Five Minute History video from Baltimore Heritage.) In the words of President & CEO Frank Lance, the campus now “belongs to all of Baltimore.”

The Sally and Butch Michel Center

In addition to the historic Stone House—whose Victorian details are reminiscent of a real-life gingerbread house—the campus is also home to the Sally and Butch Michel Center, opened in 2014 and named in honor of the organization’s late founder and her husband. The LEED Platinum building has many eco-friendly features, including a green roof, a water retention system, and solar panels. In between these two landmarks is Jonna’s Garden, a memorial garden dedicated last fall. The campus is striking, even during a snowy winter, but it will come to life even more in the spring.

Druid Hill Communities

Parks & People’s headquarters are part of Druid Hill Park, not one of the City’s 250+ residential communities. However, many neighborhoods hug the park: Jones Falls Area, Woodberry, Park Circle, Liberty Square, Auchentoroly-Parkwood, and Reservoir Hill. Live Baltimore staff have also had the pleasure of meeting residents of Mondawmin and Greater Mondawmin in the past. Whether you live across the street or across town, Parks & People invites you to explore this green gem and make yourself at home on their dynamic campus.

We hope you enjoyed learning all about the Parks & People Foundation. You can view more content from our tour in our Facebook album. Learn more about Baltimore City’s 250+ unique neighborhoods on our Neighborhoods Page. Want to give us a tour of your neighborhood? Email us at hello@livebaltimore.com to set up a visit from the Live Baltimore team. We can’t wait to meet you!