North Ave & Rutland Ave Community Paint Day & Ribbon Cutting Event for the Broadway East Mural Projects
Two new murals create a vibrant backdrop for a green space soon to be revitalized in Broadway East
Mural 1
Mural 2
At Parks & People, we believe that every neighborhood deserves places that inspire connection, cultivate pride, and spark wonder. This project, envisioned and championed by Broadway East community leader Dr. Doris Minor-Terrell, reflects that belief. Rooted in community leadership and collaboration, the effort builds on Parks & People's longstanding partnership with residents of Broadway East and our commitment to transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant community assets. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) also engaged Parks & People to help implement park projects in the area, recognizing our expertise in community-centered park planning, development, and stewardship.
Located along the highly visible North Avenue corridor, the project will transform 20 vacant parcels across two sites: nine lots at 1753-1769 E. North Avenue and eleven lots at 1501-1521 N. Madeira Street. These properties have long represented both a challenge and an opportunity for the surrounding community. Once occupied by homes, the lots now consist largely of underdeveloped grassy areas with dead trees and limited plantings. The spaces have remained underutilized and have experienced occasional illegal dumping, diminishing the visual appeal of a corridor that serves as a gateway to the neighborhood.
Today, community members and partners are working together to reimagine these vacant parcels as welcoming public spaces that strengthen neighborhood identity and create opportunities for gathering, learning, and connection. Serving approximately 1,800 nearby residents, the project will revitalize roughly 11,240 square feet of land through a combination of green infrastructure, public art, and community-focused amenities.
Community Paint Day
On Saturday, July 18th, 2026, artists, community members, partners, and friends gathered for a community paint day, transforming the space with color, creativity, and collaboration. Throughout the day, volunteers worked side by side to bring the mural to life, building connections and celebrating the power of public art to reflect the spirit and pride of the neighborhood. The event was a joyful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to create something meaningful.
More to come in Broadway East
Planned improvements to the green space include enhanced landscaping, the planting of more than ten new trees, educational and park identification signage, and a shipping container designed to support community use and activation. Together, these elements will create a vibrant destination that celebrates the neighborhood's character while providing residents with an attractive and inviting place to gather.
More than a physical transformation, this project is an investment in community pride, environmental stewardship, and neighborhood renewal. By replacing vacant and underutilized land with green space, public art, and opportunities for engagement, the project will help create a safer, healthier, and more welcoming environment for residents of all ages. It will contribute to the ongoing revitalization of the North Avenue corridor, strengthen connections among neighbors, and provide a lasting community asset that reflects the vision, resilience, and aspirations of Broadway East.
The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2026, marking another step toward a greener, more connected, and more vibrant future for the neighborhood. While the park's official name has not yet been finalized, its purpose is already clear: to create a place where community can thrive, nature can flourish, and residents can experience the sense of wonder that Parks & People seeks to spark in every neighborhood we serve.
