Over 200 people were on hand this morning for the opening of SoBo’s newest public park: the 5.3-acre “phase 2” of Rash Field Park between Key Highway and the Inner Harbor’s southern shore.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park’s new “Triangle Plaza” was attended by city and state officials, including Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Maryland State Senate President Bill Ferguson, and the project’s development team, lead by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.
“Welcome to the greatest waterfront in America,” said Dan Taylor, president of the Waterfront Partnership, in opening the ceremony, noting that “this is a park for all of Baltimore.” The first phase of the Rash Field Park redevelopment opened in 2021 next to the Maryland Science Center. The second phase which opened today cost $18 million and was funded by the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore.
The new park features a variety of different areas that emphasize fitness and relaxation. There are beach volleyball courts (6), pickleball courts (2), and an outdoor fitness course, as well as landscaped gardens, terraced seating, a winding nature walk, and a white-sand urban beach with seating, shade, and hammocks (5).
Some of the major park features now have names, according to a new map on the park’s website. “South Shore Beach” is the white-sand area along the promenade near The Rusty Scupper. The expansive lawn of thick grass is “Rash Field.” And “Skyline Steps” are the curved stone bleachers overlooking Rash Field.
The new park is now managed by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks with hours from dawn to dusk. Waterfront Partnership will handle day-to-day cleaning and greening as it does along much of the Inner Harbor’s public space.
According to Taylor, Volo Sports is finalizing its agreement with Rec & Parks to manage sand volleyball leagues and open play at Rash Field Park. Look for pickup games to start soon (signup online) with league play to follow. The pickleball courts are not managed by Volo and are open for public use. Waterfront Partnership expects to install rental kiosks for both volleyball and pickleball equipment in the park later this month.
For more on Rash Field Park, visit rashfield.org. – Steve Cole
South Baltimore Peninsula Post 