Baltimore will put $41 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding towards the city’s recreation infrastructure, Mayor Brandon Scott announced Monday.
The investment is “about showing our residents, especially our young people, that we see them, we recognize their needs, and are committed to their total wellbeing,” Scott said at a press conference at Curtis Bay Recreation Center.
Of the $41 million, the city will allocate nearly $10 million for public pools, $20 million for recreation centers, $5 million for playgrounds, $1 million for trails, and $2 million for athletic fields and courts.
“When you’re making investments into Baltimore City rec and parks, you are building healthier communities, you are providing cleaner communities, and you are helping build public safety by providing those opportunities,” Scott said.
The pandemic highlighted the importance of the city’s recreation centers, said Reginald Moore, executive director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, in a news release.
“Healthy greenspaces, safe and sound building infrastructure, and access to suitable recreation options all contribute to the growth of every Baltimore resident, but especially our young people,” he said.
