We believe every resident in Baltimore deserves equal access to safe, healthy, and vibrant green space.

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We develop healthy green communities

Green spaces, parks, and other recreational centers have typically been unfairly centered around wealthy areas, leaving many communities with no accessible areas to connect with nature. Parks & People is here to change that narrative for Baltimore City.

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Acres of Baltimore City revitalized

A backyard with a winding gravel pathway, wooden fences, and a small evergreen tree. In the background, there are row houses with brick and siding exteriors, and a few people are gathered near a fence with green balloons.

108,816

Residents impacted by our park projects

A group of people at a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside with a colorful mural on the wall behind them.

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A group of children standing in line at a playground, with one child climbing a vertical pole while an adult assists on a horizontal bar, in an outdoor park with houses and parked cars in the background.

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Students yearly involved in Parks & People after-school and summer youth programs

People working in a greenhouse with various plants, gardening tools, and indoor plants visible.

Impact Statements

Cover of Parks & People annual impact statement 2024, celebrating 40 years of transforming communities in Baltimore, Maryland.

990 Reports

Blog
Branches Summer 2025
Youth Programming, Branches
Branches Summer 2025
Youth Programming, Branches
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Youth Programming, Branches
Live Theater on Parks & People’s campus - Shakespeare Beyond Presents It's The Comedy of Errors, Hon!
Events
Live Theater on Parks & People’s campus - Shakespeare Beyond Presents It's The Comedy of Errors, Hon!
Events
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Events
The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Settings
Urban Nature & Wellbeing
The Importance of Green Spaces in Urban Settings
Urban Nature & Wellbeing

In our bustling urban landscapes, green spaces—such as parks—play a crucial role in the city. Beyond just being pleasant to look at, these green havens contribute significantly to the health and well-being of both city dwellers and the environment at large.

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Urban Nature & Wellbeing
Improving Baltimore’s playspaces through partnerships with Parks & People
Park Project
Improving Baltimore’s playspaces through partnerships with Parks & People
Park Project
Read More →
Park Project
Branches Spring 2025
Youth Programming, Branches
Branches Spring 2025
Youth Programming, Branches
Read More →
Youth Programming, Branches

Our Mission: A healthy & green Baltimore City

Parks & People’s mission is to improve Baltimore through green space and education.

Our Vision: A woven tapestry of green spaces throughout Baltimore City

We envision a Baltimore where everyone is connected to their community and to each other through a network of vibrant parks and other green spaces.

A wooden park sign post with a yellow label that reads 'Parks & People' and features a leaf logo, surrounded by yellow flowering plants with a blue sky and solar panels on a building in the background.

Our Projects & Programming

  • Group of children and adults posing outside a school building with a blue banner that reads 'Welcome to JSE! Our Lives Depend on Our Education.'

    SuperKids Camps

    A free six-week summer camp and enrichment program designed to help elementary school students improve scholastic skills during the summer.

    Learn more about SuperKids Camps
  • parks projects

    Parks Projects

    Parks & People’s vision is for a Baltimore where everyone is connected to their community and to each other through a network of vibrant parks and other green spaces.

    Discover our Parks Projects
  • Branches

    Branches Paid Internship Program

    Branches is an after-school paid internship and workforce development program for Baltimore City high-schoolers, with a focus on exploring green careers.

    Learn more about Branches
  • Parks and people - Druid hill park

    Parks & People's Green Campus

    Parks & People is an environmental non-profit and community park.

    Connecting communities through healthy green spaces. Open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

    Explore our campus
  • Group of people assembling a play structure outdoors, some wearing yellow shirts, in front of a building and a tree.

    Become a volunteer

    At Parks & People, we are joined by a common bond: to make Baltimore a better place to live, work, play, and learn.

    Volunteer with Parks & People
  • Children holding plants

    We cannot grow alone

    Together, we foster an empowering sense of ownership, unity, and pride as we work toward a common goal of a healthy and green Baltimore.

    Donate

Uniting Baltimore through Green Space & Education since 1984.

In the heart of Baltimore City, Parks & People remains committed to promoting wellness and revitalizing communities through health, wellness, and education initiatives. Our focus on providing access to vibrant green spaces continues to be the cornerstone of our work.

A house with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by a garden with green plants and trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

Why Parks & People?

  • Addressing inequities in park distribution

    Historically, parks have not been equitably distributed throughout Baltimore City, leaving many families in East and West Baltimore with less access to green spaces than other city neighborhoods. Parks & People is leading the charge to create and revitalize outdoor spaces in these neighborhoods.

  • Uniting Baltimore through parks

    Parks & People has promoted city development, public health, and environmental justice goals by creating parks within a 10-minute walk of residents who lack access to quality green space.

  • Connected to the Baltimore community

    Through collaboration and partnership with the local government, neighborhood associations, fellow nonprofits, government agencies, our supporters and volunteers, Parks & People channels the collective strength of many to create the kind of green spaces and recreation areas neighbors can enjoy and take pride in.

  • Supporting community-led action

    We listen to the community, understanding and respecting their unique needs in relation to green space. And we support the efforts of city residents who are committed to establishing and beautifying parks and help them achieve their dream of a welcoming neighborhood green space.

  • Encouraging economic investment and development

    Transforming blighted areas, abandoned lots, and vacant housing into vibrant, livable green spaces encourages community investment and sparks new economic development opportunities in often overlooked neighborhoods.

  • A holistic approach to healthier communities

    Parks & People focuses on the overall health and wellness of families in Baltimore City by advocating for the redevelopment of neighborhoods, rehabbing houses, building parks, attracting businesses, protecting legacy residents, and providing youth programming.

What we value

  • We demonstrate fairness and representation by providing access to vibrant parks and green spaces in our community through our park projects and youth programs.

  • By creating parks and programming for Baltimore City residents regardless of background, we provide more access to groups and neighborhoods with the greatest opportunities.

  • Parks & People strives to be transparent and communicate openly about what we can deliver, and acknowledge our limitations. We value the community by using their feedback to improve our work.

  • Parks & People is a leader in activating green space. We positively impact people and outdoor common areas for a greener and more caring Baltimore.

We cannot create a greener Baltimore alone…

We work with government, corporate, nonprofit, and community partners, helping residents bring their vision of a community park to life. Together, we foster an empowering sense of ownership, unity, and pride as we work toward a common goal of a healthy and green Baltimore.

Start a park project with Parks & People
Discover our youth programming opportunities
Volunteer with Parks & People

Parks & People’s mission is to improve Baltimore through green space and education.

Follow us on Instagram @parksandpeople

View fullsize Picnic in the Park: Starlight Soirée was made possible thanks to those dedicated to a greener, healthier Baltimore. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Room & Board, one of this year’s Sugar Maple Sponsors. Room@& Board has vo
View fullsize Flavor you don’t want to miss out on! 🤤 Advance ticket sales end 9/1! Prices will go up. Grab your ticket today using the link in our bio and help support a greener Baltimore at Picnic in the Park: Starlight Soirée. All this and more
View fullsize Picnic in the Park: Starlight Soirée was made possible thanks to those dedicated to a greener, healthier Baltimore. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Carter Site Services, one of this year’s Sugar Maple Sponsors. Thank you for your de
View fullsize We’re celebrating the completion of another summer of learning and fun, preparing our kids to be leaders and green stewards! #superkidscamp SuperKids Camp makes summer unforgettable for rising 1st–5th graders. This 6-week program blends
View fullsize We’re lighting up the night for a cause that’s close to home. Picnic in the Park: Starlight Soiree is more than just a party—it’s a celebration of wonder, play, and community. ✨ Click the link in our bio to purchase your tick
View fullsize From Druid Hill Park to the ball park! ⚾️ Let’s go O’s! Our city’s greenspaces provide opportunities to gather, cheer, and celebrate together! #parksandpeople #baltimorecity
View fullsize Art & wonder are found in our city’s green spaces. 🎭 Last week Shakespeare Beyond @shakespearebeyond put on a whimsical and wild performance at on our 9-acre campus! Parks & People’s campus is a vibrant space for art, activit
View fullsize That SuperKids summer feeling 😎☀️ Over the last six weeks our campers have been learning, growing, and playing together as they make memories and strengthen skills that will last a lifetime. . . . #stemforkids #stemeducation #outdoorlearning #envi

Parks & People expressly prohibits any form of unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or status in any group protected by state or local law. Improper conduct, including the conduct of visitors, contractors, customers, volunteers and any interference with the ability of employees to perform their expected job duties, is not tolerated.