Preston 2K Garden

Dec 3

Address: 2031 Ellsworth Street, Baltimore, MD 21213
Neighborhood: Broadway East

From Vacant Lot to Vibrant Community Space

The Preston 2K Block Association Community Garden started out as a rough sketch on the back of a napkin — an idea shared between neighbors who wanted to breathe life back into a space that had been forgotten for far too long. What you see today grew from that small moment of vision, hope, and determination.

This once-neglected lot has been transformed through the hard work of Preston 2K residents and the support of partners like Parks & People, Civic Works, BMORE Beautiful, and City Life Community Builders. Together, the community reclaimed the land and turned it into a place that brings beauty, nourishment, and pride back to the block.

The garden was intentionally designed to engage all the senses:

• Seeing the single vibrant mural, the hand-painted planter boxes, the colors of the flowers and vegetables, and the way the glass crystals on the pergola catch the light

• Smelling roses, herbs, and the scent of freshly watered soil

• Tasting fruits and vegetables grown right here in the neighborhood

• Hearing birds, wind chimes under the pergola, and the soft sounds of community gatherings around the stage

• Feeling the textures of leaves and petals, the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the planters, and the grounding calm that comes from being surrounded by nature

Beyond its beauty, the garden also responds to a deeper need. Collington Square has long struggled with food insecurity, and many families lack easy access to fresh, affordable produce. By growing fruits and vegetables on the block, the garden helps close that gap. It offers neighbors direct access to healthy food and creates opportunities to learn, plant, harvest, and share.

More than a garden, this space represents resilience and community care. It shows what is possible when neighbors come together, believe in their community, and decide they deserve a space filled with color, creativity, and nourishment — both for the body and the spirit.

Parks & People’s Role

Project Manager

Partners