Human connection to nature has declined 60%
When we are disconnected from one another and the natural world, our care for community fades.
Restoring our connection with nature helps us reconnect with one another.
According to research published in the journal Earth, human connection to nature has declined 60% since the 1800s. It is estimated that the average American child spends only 4-7 minutes outside in unstructured play and over seven hours online in front of a screen per day.
Parks & People has been serving Baltimore for over 40 years. In 1984, the organization was founded by Sally J. Michel, after a conversation with Mayor William Donald Schaefer. Parks & People was to be a public-private partnership to enhance the City’s parks. Since then, Parks & People has consistently focused on relevance: identifying and filling the roles where it can best bring parks, play, and nature to neighborhoods, and where it can best serve Baltimore’s k-12 children to be successful. Parks & People believes this work is just one way in which we help the city to be successful.
Parks & People’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan charts a unified path forward, reconnecting communities through a renewed vision and mission grounded in the wonder of our neighborhoods and the natural world.
WONDER
What’s the big deal about Wonder?
At the heart of our parks & programming lies a simple yet powerful idea: wonder. It’s the spark that transforms a stroll through a city park into a journey of discovery and a game on a blacktop into a lesson in city ecosystems. In every corner of Baltimore, wonder invites young minds to see their neighborhoods not just as places to live, but as living classrooms full of stories, science, and possibility.
Studies suggest wonder as the center of all motivation and action in a child. A beautiful environment is one that triggers wonder, which results in learning.
Wonder is the gateway to stewardship. When children experience the magic of nature firsthand, they begin to care deeply—and that care becomes action.
When people experience wonder right in their own neighborhoods, it shifts how they see their city. That spark of curiosity becomes a desire to care, to invest, and to belong.
Through the creation of community green space, hands-on nature education, and joyful outdoor play, we nurture young minds to ask questions, make connections, and fall in love with the world around them.
With your support, we’ll transform everyday moments into lifelong connections with nature. Together, we’ll ensure that wonder isn’t a fleeting feeling—it’s a foundation for learning, growth, and care.
A Wonderful City To Live In
Together, we are reimagining Baltimore's future, revitalizing her neighborhoods, and educating her youth. We have updated our mission and vision statement to highlight the impact wonder has on our city, our opportunities to learn and play, and our desire to grow the next generation of environmental stewards for a greener, healthier Baltimore.
Our Vision: A vibrant, thriving Baltimore.
We envision a Baltimore City where green renewal contributes to economic investment and population growth, where people enjoy green spaces that spark wonder, and where communities build the strength and leadership to steward the environment.
Our Mission:
Parks & People’s mission is to spark wonder through play, education, and nature, creating a community of environmental stewards for a healthier Baltimore.
Parks & People’s Role in a Greener Future
For over 40 years, Parks & People has been dedicated to improving Baltimore through green spaces and education. Our 2025-2029 strategic plan is grounded in both internal and external work, framed by three key themes and building on our legacy.
Each theme advances our mission to turn vacant lots into vibrant blocks, spark curiosity through hands-on learning, and bring people outside, together. With our expertise and strategic partnerships with Baltimore City and beyond, we’re building a Baltimore where every resident feels connected, empowered, and proud of the place they call home.
STRATEGIC THEMES
Play is powerful!
Play is a vital force for growth, connection, and joy at every age. Whether on a playground, in a park, or within a community, authentic play unlocks our full potential.
Studies show that when individuals engage in "authentic play"—a mindset where the joy of playing itself outweighs any specific outcome—they experience meaningful growth. For children, it enhances learning, while for adults, it boosts adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust, empathy, and close social bonds.
American children spend 35% less time playing outside freely than their parents did.
Supports Cognitive and Emotional Growth
Fosters Social Connection
Promotes Physical Health
Encourages Creativity and Innovation
Builds Resilience and Confidence
The Benefits of Play
Strong partnerships that promote play
New & updated playgrounds throughout Baltimore City
Creating Nature Play Spaces using a framework rooted in cultivating wonderful experiences.
Through our 2025-2029 strategic plan, Parks & People is committed to:
Education is Essential
Baltimore is facing a dual crisis: a decline in educational outcomes and a growing disconnect between urban residents and nature—often referred to as biophobia. These issues are deeply intertwined and have significant implications for the city's youth and overall community well-being.
Nature is more than a backdrop—it's a powerful force for healing, learning, and connection.
The Benefits of Environmental Education
Deepens Understanding of Nature and Ecology
Cultivates Environmental Stewardship
Improves Academic Performance
Supports Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Youth programs that provide STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)
Youth programs that provide outdoor education and experience
Through our 2025-2029 strategic plan, Parks & People is committed to:
Nature For Every Neighborhood
Signs of renewal are emerging—new energy, fresh ideas, and a growing sense of possibility are beginning to reshape the city’s future.
According to the 1950 US Census, Baltimore City once had a population of 949,000 residents. We believe investing in community green spaces creates community havens that spur economic investment and population growth.
The city’s nearly 13,000 vacant homes and 20,000 vacant lots are seeing opportunities for revitalization. The possibility of Baltimore City as a livable and walkable, vibrant East Coast jewel is more real today than it has been in quite some time.
Over the past 75 years, Baltimore has weathered a steep drop in population and is now home to around 570,000 residents.
Improves Public Health
Cools and Cleans the Air
Promotes Physical Health
Manages Stormwater and Reduces Flooding
Enhances Economic Vitality
Strengthens Social Cohesion
The Benefits of Nature
Creating green spaces in neighborhoods that have less access
Creating connected green nodes that bridge communities to large city parks
Planting more trees
Strategic partnerships that promote renewal and vibrant green spaces
Through our 2025-2029 strategic plan, Parks & People is committed to:
For a greener, healthier Baltimore!
At Parks & People, we believe that everyone deserves access to vibrant green spaces, playful learning, and a deep connection to nature. Whether you're passionate about environmental stewardship, youth education, or community building, there's a place for you here.
