The final phase of the Rash Field Park redevelopment officially opened Wednesday.
The waterfront park underwent an approximately 5.3-acre expansion that included the addition of pickleball and beach volleyball courts, an outdoor fitness area, and a new plaza for outdoor concerts and other community events.
More than 200 trees have been planted throughout the park, which also features gardens, terraced seating, large swaths of open lawns, a nature walk, and an urban beach.
Last month, Baltimore opened the city’s first public, ADA-accessible kayak launch at Rash Field Park. The city also opened two new self-service kayak rental stations: one at Rash Field Park and the other at Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point.
“Today, we celebrated the grand opening of more than 5 acres of accessible space for our residents to run, walk, bike, skate, play sports, enjoy live music, and enjoy one of the best views of Downtown,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “From pickleball and volleyball courts, to walking paths, to outdoor concert space—plus the new kayak launch—there’s something for everybody. I’m excited for all of our residents to experience everything the new and improved Rash Field Park has to offer.”
Baltimore City and Maryland state officials gathered with community leaders and project partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to mark the grand opening of this expanded waterfront destination.
“Rash Field Park is becoming the kind of waterfront park Baltimore deserves—a place where you can play a game, work out, spend time outside with your family, enjoy live music or simply sit by the water,” said Dan Taylor, president of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. “What makes this opening especially meaningful is that so much of what people will experience here grew out of what Baltimoreans told us they wanted from their waterfront. Today, we get to welcome them into a park built for them.”
The Phase 2 redevelopment cost $18 million, including $14 million in funding from the state of Maryland as well as a $4.5 million commitment from Baltimore City.
Plano-Coudon was the construction manager and general contractor for the project. Mahan Rykiel Associates led the design team.
“Rash Field Park is an example of what is possible when we bring vision, partnership and a commitment to creating more opportunities for people to enjoy our city’s public spaces,” said Dr. Reginald Moore, director of Recreation and Parks. “We are grateful to Waterfront Partnership for its leadership in transforming this corner of the Inner Harbor into a dynamic destination for recreation and gathering. Recreation and Parks is proud to continue stewarding and maintaining this modern public amenity so that Baltimoreans and visitors alike can enjoy it for years to come.”
The park’s first phase opened in 2021, which included the addition of Jake’s Skate Park, named in honor of Jake Owen, a five-year-old South Baltimore boy who was killed by a distracted driver in 2011.
The first phase also introduced the BGE Pavilion and BGE Nature Play area.
Wednesday’s grand opening featured free activities throughout the park, including pickleball, beach volleyball, fitness and nature-focused activities.
An evening bird walk will take place Wednesday evening, followed by a Baltimore by Baltimore Unplugged concert on Thursday evening, and other activities throughout the weekend.
