On June 12th, our AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator, Eric Park, worked with a group of volunteers to install pull up bars at the ABC Park in the neighborhood of Carrollton Ridge in Southwest Baltimore as part of his service project for his AmeriCorps term. Greg Oates, one of RTB’s A-Team volunteers, provided huge support in the planning and execution of the project. His technical expertise ensured that the pull up bar posts were installed securely and turned out level. Sarah Hope from Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, provided the recycled building materials, and also offered a lot of guidance in implementing the service project. Derrick, a staff member at Rec & Parks, also joined the volunteers for the day and assisted with priming the swing sets and the new pull up bars at ABC Park.
Derwin Hannah, a community organizer in the neighborhood, has over the past year taken on a great deal of responsibility in overseeing the safety and well-being of the park and the neighborhood residents who use the public space. Derwin has done an incredible job at gaining support from the community and bringing in local business including the Food Depot and others at the neighborhood shopping center. He has been striving tirelessly to make the park a safer, nicer place for residents to enjoy, and has been partnering with Fran Spero, Joe Burch, and other employees at Rec and Parks to explore new sources of support and funding from the city to help build on the momentum of Derwin’s efforts. Eric Park was extremely please to be able to get involved with such an engaged coalition of park supporters who helped to make this project happen.
This Saturday, June 15th, volunteers from the neighborhood will come together to beautify the park and also the celebrate the new fitness equipment and the summer programs at ABC Park. Thanks to everyone involved for all of your work in making this project a success!