Even before the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovation of Riverside Park on Tuesday, June 18, children were dashing about on the multi-purpose field and chasing each other through the sprinkler water. And Allison Funk and Andrew Drain were playing pickleball on the new court, and James Jenkins was tossing a baseball to his father, Mike Jenkins.
Mayor Brandon Scott, Delegate Luke Clippinger, and Riverside Neighborhood Association President Rich Badmington were in attendance for the event, along with Tim McDonall, landscape contractor, and Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind across the street from the park.
Other attendees included Shannon Waldren, a volunteer for the park who can be regularly seen clearing branches, planting trees, and decorating the pagoda with lights for the winter holidays. Numerous neighbors gathered on benches by the basketball court where the ceremony was held.
“I’m really excited about this beautiful park, improving spaces around the city,” said Mayor Scott. He discussed how important parks are for safety, developing community, and the mental and physical health of citizens.
Delegate Luke Clippinger said, “It’s always a good day to be in Riverside Park and see all my neighbors here.”
Jackson Fisher cut the ribbon. Fisher, a USDA plant researcher, is a volunteer who coordinates work done in the park. “The park has been one of the staples of this community,” Fisher said, “like an old stuffed animal that has been loved and needed retooling and attention. This is one of the institutions that really bring the community together.”
After the ceremony, Scott, Clippinger, and Fisher broke in the new basketball court by tossing few shots into the hoop.
Plans for the renovation of lower Riverside Park were conceived in 2016. CFX owns adjoining land on the southern edge of the park and negotiated with the community association so the outfield fence could be placed further back than it had been. As a result, the park now has a regulation-sized football field.
After the ceremony, Livia, a tall girl, gleefully swung her younger friends in circles on the football field. “It’s great to have a new place for kids to play,” she said. – Barbara Stanton
South Baltimore Peninsula Post 