Park Heights residents are slated to have a new library by fall 2027, after more than two decades without a branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in their neighborhood.
Baltimore City officials, partners, and community members gathered Wednesday to mark the groundbreaking for the new 18,000-square-foot Park Heights Library, as well as the expansion of CC Jackson Park.
“Breaking ground on the Park Heights Library is a moment of pride not just for the Pratt Library, but for the entire city,” said Chad Helton, CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, in a statement. “This project reflects what’s possible when government, community and supporters come together with a shared vision. For the people of Park Heights, this library will be more than a building — it will be a place of learning, connection and opportunity for generations to come.”
The new library will be located on the 3800 block of Woodland Avenue, next to CC Jackson Park, which is being expanded to include a community pavilion, walking loops, and other amenities.
The Park Heights community has been without a Pratt library branch since the Pimlico branch closed in 2001. Before that, the library on Keyworth Avenue closed in 1986.
“I remember the day the library closed, causing us to have to travel two miles to the closest library,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said in a statement. “I’m so proud that young people- and people of all ages- today will have access to this facility within walking distance. Everywhere you look, Park Heights is on the rise, with new housing, rec facilities, parks, and this library- the first new Enoch Pratt Free Library branch in Baltimore in over a decade. Every day, but especially today, I couldn’t be prouder to be a son of Park Heights.”
Now, the closest libraries are the Pratt’s Reisterstown Road and Forest Park branches, though those are both currently closed for facility improvements. The next closest open branches for Pratt Library patrons in Park Heights are located in Roland Park, Hampden, and Walbrook – each more than 3 miles away.
Park Heights neighbors identified a new library as their top priority in the Park Heights Master Plan, which was adopted in 2006.
Since then, Baltimore City has acquired more than 400 vacant properties across 62 acres of land to form the “Major Redevelopment Area,” which includes the site of the future library and expanded park.
“Park Heights has fought for the resources every neighborhood deserves for more than three decades. Today’s groundbreaking shows what happens when a community refuses to be forgotten,” Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen said in a statement.
New housing also surrounds the construction site, allowing families easy access to both the library and park once the projects are completed.
Among the new housing options are a 100-unit affordable housing building for seniors by NHP Foundation/Henson Development; 163-unit senior and intergenerational buildings from CHAI and PHR; and new single-family homes that are expected to break ground in 2026.
Construction of the library and park are being funded by the city, state, community, and private partners, including $8 million from the city for planning and construction, as well as $8 million for design and construction.
The Department of General Services will oversee the construction in partnership with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks and the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for September 2027.
This is great! Now let’s get Fells Point (which is empty) & St. Paul (which is the meagerly funded, barely existing Village Learning Place) back open too!