Parks & People Announces Picnic in the Park 2026, Featuring Chelsey Green and The Green Project
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parks & People Announces Picnic in the Park 2026, featuring Chelsey Green and The Green Project
Signature fundraiser will bring live music, Baltimore food, arts, and culture to West Baltimore while honoring Barbara Shapiro, Steve Ziger, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine
BALTIMORE, MD — July 14, 2026 — Parks & People will host Picnic in the Park 2026, its signature annual fundraiser, on Friday, September 18, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the organization’s nine-acre West Baltimore campus, located at 2100 Liberty Heights Avenue.
Hosted by award-winning journalist and television personality Janay Reece, the evening will feature an open-air performance by internationally acclaimed violinist, vocalist, educator, and bandleader Chelsey Green with The Green Project. Known for blending classical violin with soul, jazz, funk, and contemporary music, Green and her ensemble will anchor an evening celebrating Baltimore’s creativity, community, and commitment to its parks and young people.
“Picnic in the Park brings together people who believe that Baltimore deserves beautiful public spaces, strong neighborhoods, and opportunities for young people to learn, explore, and thrive,” said Dr. Franklin Lance, President and CEO of Parks & People. “We look forward to welcoming our community for an evening of extraordinary music and meaningful connection while raising essential support for the work Parks & People leads throughout the city.”
Guests will experience food and beverage offerings from Full Circle Boards, The Empanada Lady, Black Baltimore Vegan, Yumi Teriyaki Grill, Stursi Mocktail Bar, and Chase It Bartenders, along with immersive art experiences presented by Creative Nomads. Art, entertainment, hospitality, and interactive activities will be offered throughout the campus.
New this year, Live on the Lawn will offer General Admission guests a dedicated lawn-viewing area designed for a relaxed outdoor concert experience. Limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
VIP guests will receive access to an exclusive hospitality area featuring dedicated food and beverage service. The VIP experience is designed to provide an elevated atmosphere for entertainment, conversation, hosting, and relationship-building throughout the evening.
Picnic in the Park also provides businesses, foundations, and community partners with opportunities to support Parks & People through event sponsorship. Sponsors receive visibility before and during the event while demonstrating their investment in Baltimore’s parks, youth, neighborhoods, and environmental future. Sponsorship packages include opportunities for premium guest experiences, organizational recognition, and meaningful engagement with the Parks & People community.
During a brief formal program, Parks & People will recognize three honorees whose leadership and service reflect the organization’s commitment to people, parks, equity, and community:
Barbara Shapiro will receive the Sally J. Michel Award, recognizing her longstanding commitment to Parks & People, Baltimore’s public spaces, and a legacy of art, beauty, civic generosity, and stewardship that reflects Sally J. Michel’s vision.
Steve Ziger will receive the Jonna Lazarus Parks Award, recognizing his leadership, creativity, and commitment to strengthening Baltimore’s public realm. Through Ziger|Snead Architects, Ziger helped shape the Center for Parks & People at Auchentoroly Terrace, including the restoration of the historic Superintendent’s House and the creation of the Sally and Butch Michel Center.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine will receive the Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown People Award, recognizing its commitment to health, equity, opportunity, and community well-being. Dr. Esa Davis will accept the award on behalf of the School of Medicine. The School of Medicine’s place-based work reflects a shared understanding that commitment to healthier communities is at the heart of everything they do. Faculty, students, and staff dedicate over 400,000 volunteer hours, partnering with more than 250 community organizations to make a meaningful impact on over 2,500 individuals statewide. Such a mission was formed from the understanding that health is shaped not only in hospitals and clinics but also by neighborhoods, environmental conditions, social connection, access to opportunity, and the public spaces where people live, learn, work, play, and gather. Its work with partners to develop a new outpatient care facility at The Village at Mondawmin exemplifies an approach that brings care, resources, and support closer to the West Baltimore community.
As Parks & People’s largest annual fundraiser, Picnic in the Park generates critical support for programs and initiatives at the intersection of parks, youth, and community. Proceeds help sustain youth programs including SuperKids Camp and Branches; park restoration and environmental stewardship; neighborhood partnerships; the care and activation of the Parks & People campus; and community-driven projects throughout Baltimore, including Reimagine Middle Branch.
Tickets, VIP experiences, and sponsorship opportunities are available at:
parksandpeople.org/picnic-in-the-park
Media Contact
Gabriel Carter
Communications Manager
Parks & People
gabriel.carter@parksandpeople.org
410-448-5663, ext. 135
About Parks & People
Parks & People sparks wonder through play, education, and nature, creating a community of environmental stewards for a healthier Baltimore. For more than 40 years, Parks & People has worked at the intersection of parks, youth, and community through environmental education, youth development, workforce development, community partnerships, park restoration, and green-space stewardship. Its work helps ensure that Baltimore residents have access to safe, vibrant, and welcoming parks and natural spaces.
