Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and volunteers from PNC Bank have plans to do just that, bringing “Bay-scaped shade stations” to the top of the Amphitheater for visitors’ comfort and enjoyment.
The shade stations are sponsored by PNC Bank, and will be a “seasonal placemaking installation” from June through October, providing “a relaxing gathering place for daily enjoyment and waterfront events taking place at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater (such as Baltimore by Baltimore),” read the press release announcing the installations.
The stations will each have a pergola-type structure with seating areas. They will feature plants native to the Chesapeake Bay region in the hopes of attracting wildlife. The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore is planting 158 perennials and half-a-dozen native trees.
The stations will also serve the purpose of reducing stormwater and giving shade during the summer months.
“We’ve heard from the public that shade is one of the most important things that we can provide,” said Leanna Wetmore, events director for Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. “Shade and climate resiliency are linked very closely.”
Each station will face the water in a prime spot of the Inner Harbor to encourage locals to enjoy the harbor, strengthening the feeling of hometown pride and connection between Baltimoreans in their shared spaces.
Wetmore told Fishbowl they are looking at the shade stations as an art installation, with placemaking as their lens, especially with the placemaking festivals coming to Baltimore in June. “They will be a work in progress at first,” Wetmore said. “It will take a couple of weeks for them to take full shape.”
As far as what will happen to the stations in October, Wetmore said, “We’ll have to see how they hold up. It’s such an interesting experiment.”
She continued, “Do they influence a formal design later? We may have to store them for the winter or build a bigger and better one next year! PNC is very interested in being a partner in this. An interesting part is the bay-scaping and thinking about what that means. For example, creating some wind and sound with the grasses [in the shade stations].”
The shade stations will be installed on May 22 at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at 201 E. Pratt St.
Wetmore suggested getting a coffee at Matriarch, a Baltimore-based vendor that is located on Pratt Street, and walking over to the Amphitheater to give the new shade stations a try.
