The History of Parks & People

A smiling elderly woman with glasses, short hair, and earrings, wearing a silk blouse, sitting at a table with flowers in the background.

In 1984, longtime and dear friends, Sally J. Michel and then Baltimore City Mayor, William Donald Schaefer, had dinner. Even though the two frequently dined together, this dinner was different. Mayor Schaefer had an idea. He asked Sally to develop a public-private partnership to enhance Baltimore City's parks. From that dinner and that idea, Parks & People was born.

Sally Michel, a great champion for Baltimore and a highly respected and loved philanthropist for many Baltimore causes, led Parks and People with passion and purpose for many years. Her vision created SuperKids Camp. Her dedication led to the creation of the Gwynns Falls Trail. It was her desire for Baltimore City children to experience the beauty of the outdoors, that led to establishing an Outward-Bound operation in Baltimore. Parks and People is today because of Sally Michel. 

Parks & People, in particular, and Baltimore City, in general, lost a great person and lover of Baltimore as Sally passed away on August 16, 2018. In founding Parks & People, she envisioned a Baltimore where everyone is connected to their community and each other through vibrant parks and green spaces. Today, Parks & People remains committed to Sally’s vision, and our goal is to continue making her dream a reality. 

Sally’s legacy can be felt through the 31,000 children who have graduated from SuperKids Camp since its creation. Her legacy lives on in every teen who participates in our Branches internship program. Her legacy can be felt with every child’s laugh that hangs on the breeze in one of our parks. 

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Milestones in Our History

  • 1984

    Parks & People Foundation (PPF) was founded.

  • 1985

    PPF organized a design competition and development of a master plan for Druid Hill Park.

  • 1989

    Urban Resources Initiative (URI) started as a collaboration between Yale University’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Rec & Parks, and PPF. PPF also set up the Baltimore Baseball League to provide organized sports after school.

  • 1991

    Creation of Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound in collaboration with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.

  • 1992

    Based on a URI (Urban resource initiative) project, Mayor Schmoke formed a Task Force on Greenways, leading to the creation of the Gwynns Falls Trail.

  • 1993

    PPF began its Community Forestry program and the Baltimore Middle School Soccer League for boys.

  • 1994

    Revitalizing Baltimore started, focusing on urban ecosystem management. PPF also began its KidsGrow program and moved the majority of its staff to the Crimea Mansion in Leakin Park.

  • 1995

    The master plan for the Gwynns Falls Trail was finalized, and the Middle School Soccer League expanded to include girls.

  • 1996

    PPF created its Community Grants program and started the Baltimore City Volleyball League for high school girls.

  • 1997

    SuperKids started with the objective of helping rising 4th graders read at grade level by summer's end. PPF also led a task force to study the Department of Recreation & Parks and began construction on Phase 1 of the Gwynns Falls Trail.

  • 2006

    PPF began leasing a new campus, planning to restore the Stone House and Carriage House, build a new Platinum LEED headquarters, and redevelop the grounds.

  • 2009

    Goats were used to clean up poison ivy and invasive plants on campus.

  • 2013

    Renovation of Stone House was completed and groundbreaking for the new building occurred.

  • 2014-2015

    Long-time CEO Jackie Carrera resigned, and Lisa Schroeder was named as the new CEO.

  • 2015

    Grand Opening of the new campus.

  • 2017

    Ribbon-cutting for Easterwood/Sandtown Park & Playground and groundbreaking for Ambrose Kennedy Park.

  • 2018

    Passing of PPF founder, Sally J. Michel.

  • 2019

    Dr. Franklin Lance becomes president of Parks & People

Parks & People’s mission is to spark wonder through play, education, and nature.

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