August 2014 - Parks & Recreation - 50

MARYLAND LEGACY

Mayor Rawlings-Blake: My administration has identified a number of
priority areas where we believe we
can have the greatest impact improving the quality of life for Baltimore's
residents. We want to improve access
to timely, high-quality healthcare, including mental health services and
drug and alcohol treatment. We want
to mitigate the impact of preventable
causes of death and disease, like smoking, and pursue community-focused
policies that will prevent obesity and
promote heart health. And, we want to
create healthier neighborhoods - especially for children and adolescents.
However, improving the health of
our city requires the combined efforts
of my entire administration. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks is
paramount in helping our city improve
health and wellness outcomes. They
provide numerous healthy activities
for families to experience entertainment, engagement, education and empowerment - all in the same place!
Whether through youth and adult
sports programming, senior and
recreation divisions, or maintaining
green space, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks is at the forefront
of helping Baltimore City achieve
its health and wellness goals. Every
day they are working with our youth,
teaching them the value of physical
fitness and healthy eating habits.
I have also been a strong supporter of
growing local healthy foods. Through
City Farms, our community gardening
program located in several city parks,
and partnering with local nonprofits
like Civic Works, which operates the
Real Food Farm, we provide residents
with affordable healthy food options.
I am especially excited about a
new initiative aimed at combating
childhood obesity. Director Burkeen
has developed a closer working relationship with the Baltimore City
Health Department to maximize the

Parks & Recreation

resources of both agencies. Through
collaborative work between city and
local agencies, we will help make
Baltimore a city where all residents
realize their full health potential.
O'Hara: Recreation and park programming can offer positive outlets
for young people. On June 23, BCRP
hosted a Recreation Youth Summit.
How can parks play a role in preventing crime? Also, your B'More program seems pretty innovative. What
can other cities learn from B'More's
youth engagement strategies?
Mayor Rawlings-Blake: I am proud of
the way my administration proactively
engages youth. At one point in time,
residents often complained that our city
lacked youth activities. I don't think that
was exactly the problem. I think it was
more about better communicating the
pre-existing recreation options available
for youth. We have a vibrant Baltimore
City Youth Commission and a dedicated Recreation and Parks Department
that use a combination of youth forums,
surveys, special events and programs to
make sure there are always opportunities for our youth to be active in quality, safe activities. The B'More Night
Hoops initiative is a perfect example. I
started this basketball program this year
to provide another recreational opportunity for young men. This league uses the
sport of basketball to provide an activity
for players, as well as share vital information through the Life Skills seminars.
We have to be creative and innovative in
our approach to reaching our youth in
order to keep them engaged and out of
harm's way.
O'Hara: What role do you play with
Baltimore's Parks and People Foundation, and how has your work with
this group influenced your handling of BCRP affairs?
Mayor Rawlings-Blake: Founded by
Baltimore's former Mayor William

| AU G U S T 2 0 1 4 | W W W. N R PA . O R G

Donald Schaefer, I take a lot of pride in
my work on the board of directors for
Baltimore's Parks and People Foundation. I am proud to join colleagues and
friends to revitalize historic pieces of
Baltimore and create educational, environmental and recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors. As
cities work with constrained resources,
the support of the nonprofit community to push neighborhood revitalization
is vital. My work with the Parks and
People Foundation gives me another
perspective that I find incredibly valuable. I often look at issues from a municipal lens, but serving on the board
allows me to look at issues as an individual resident of our city. I am motivated to do everything I can as mayor,
and as a Baltimore City native and resident, to support and grow Baltimore.
O'Hara: Everyone loves Druid Hill
Park and Patterson Park, but there
are loads of cool Charm City parks.
What is your favorite hidden gem
park in Baltimore and why?
Mayor Rawlings-Blake: While this
may be a bit of a cheat, as it is in Druid
Hill Park, one of my favorite little spots
in Baltimore is the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens. Named after my father, the Baltimore Conservatory is a breathtaking
greenhouse that displays plants from all
over the world. It is absolutely gorgeous
and a wonderful quiet getaway on the
weekends. Last year, the Conservatory
celebrated a remarkable milestone: its
125th anniversary! I'd recommend anyone visiting Baltimore to make a stop
by the Conservatory. Something amazing is always in bloom.
Kevin O'Hara is NRPA's Vice President of
Urban and Government Affairs (kohara@
nrpa.org). Danielle Taylor is the Executive
Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine
(dtaylor@nrpa.org). Mark Dennis is the Staff
Photographer for the Baltimore Office of the
Mayor (mark.dennis@baltimorecity.gov).

August 2014 - Parks & Recreation

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