Beyond volleyball, what else should be part of a re-imagined Rash Field?
The Waterfront Partnership is seeking community input ahead of $3 million renovation
Above: The city is keeping beach volleyball at Rash Field, but what else should they do with that space? (Fern Shen)
In 2013, when the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore unveiled its Inner Harbor 2.0 makeover for the city’s tourist waterfront, one aspect of it set off a howl of protest – moving beach volleyball off of Rash Field.
Now, under a $3 million Rash Field renovation, which the Partnership promises will not spike volleyball, the group is actively soliciting more public input as they shape the final plan
The non-profit organization, which works to maintain and improve the Inner Harbor, yesterday put out a call for “ideas, thoughts and suggestions” for improving Rash Field, the city owned recreational area on the south shore of the Inner Harbor, just below Federal Hill.
To make their point on the site itself, the Waterfront Partnership this week put up a giant sign on Rash Field, asking that people send their suggestions to: parks@waterfrontpartnership.org. According to president Laurie Schwartz, there is no deadline for submissions.
The makeover plan the group released in July, officials said, is aimed at making the open area on the Inner Harbor’s South side more usable, attractive and accessible for city residents and visitors.
Sign erected recently at Rash Field. (Photo credit: Waterfront Partnership.)
The partnership has selected the landscape architecture firm of Mahan Rykiel Associates of Baltimore to lead efforts to improve Rash Field.
Mahan Rykiel was chosen over 12 other firms that submitted proposals by an advisory committee made up of city agencies, community representatives and the Waterfront Partnership.
Relocating Pride of Baltimore Memorial
The final design for Rash Field will include beach volleyball; outdoor exercise equipment and uses such as a jogging track; and active health and wellness space for organized or informal activities.
Other elements of the plan include removing the berm separating Rash Field from the Inner Harbor promenade, upgrading the promenade, providing programming space for bocce, ping pong and other activities, and upgrading restrooms.
The partnership also wants to relocate the Pride of Baltimore Memorial, the Inner Harbor Carousel and the Kawasaki Garden near the Maryland Science Center.
Planners say they will consider “other uses brought forward by the design team, stakeholder meetings or the advisory committee,” and that’s where the call for suggestions comes in.
Mahan Rykiel, as part of its commission, will work with the Waterfront Partnership to gather community input through a series of community meetings and focus groups, through social media, and by observing the current formal and informal uses of the park.
The effort, planners say, is meant to give the general public multiple ways to share ideas and give feedback on the future of Rash Field.
According to the partnership, a project kick-off announcement will be made soon. In the meantime, Schwartz said, people who want to be involved in the planning process can let the partnership know by sending a message to its web site.