A few weeks ago, I jumped into the Inner Harbor with a dozen colleagues.
It was fun and, yes, safe.
Not long ago, the idea of swimming in the harbor would have been unthinkable. But thanks to Baltimore’s investment in the Back River Treatment Facility and citywide sewer upgrades, along with the Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative, the water is now safe for recreational use most days (except immediately following a rain event), as confirmed through regular water quality monitoring.
This is a remarkable achievement, one that shows what’s possible when government, business and the private sector work together toward a shared goal. It’s also something I’m especially proud of as I reflect on my 20 years with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.
Following a 2003 report issued by the Greater Baltimore Committee citing the city’s declining attention to its crown jewel, the Inner Harbor, a small group of businesspeople led by Mike Hankin came together to explore how the private sector could partner with local government to revitalize and reimagine the waterfront.
The outcome? The creation of the Waterfront Partnership in 2005 as a nonprofit and, in 2007, as a Business Improvement District, which I was honored to be asked to lead.
From the start, our goal was to create a cleaner, more welcoming waterfront — especially to local residents. In partnership with Living Classrooms Foundation, we recruited workforce trainees to support this work, many of whom were subsequently hired as full-time hospitality guides — our first, visible step in making the waterfront friendly and welcoming.
We then turned our focus to drawing more locals to the harbor by creating more free, attractive and usable public spaces. Our goal was to draw more Baltimoreans to view the harbor as their own and to visit regularly to experience new spaces, events and programs or to just enjoy the beautiful water views, the waterfront promenade and parks as places for their own use and enjoyment.
Over our 20 years, the Waterfront Partnership has already dramatically increased local visitation by making the waterfront more inviting, attractive and vibrant. The focus was on adding relaxing, natural green spaces with more tree cover and shade.
Just a few of the spaces we invite you to see and experience our impact:
The Walter Sondheim Fountain, filled with shrieks of joy as children — and often adults — dance in the water.
West Shore Park, where we added several dozen shade trees and placed large granite blocks for seating underneath, dramatically increasing the use of the park year-round when not filled with the Wine or Christmas Village.
Pierce’s Park, a sculpture and perennial flower-filled park jewel found on Pier 5 developed in partnership with the Flanigan Family.
Rash Field Park, filled year-round and vibrating with life. Led by the Waterfront Partnership and made possible thanks to a partnership with the city and state and private funders. Every day, children from across the city play together, shrieking as they climb up the Adventure Tower, giggling as they teeter across the rope bridge or begging parents for just one more chance to go down the huge twisty slide overlooking the harbor or hand pump water to make mud in the sand box. Phase 2, which will more than double the size of the park, is underway, with an opening expected in 2026.
Point Park at Harbor Point, a recently opened, beautifully designed space with Native American features, educational elements and expansive views of the harbor, which we are proudly maintaining alongside Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.
In Fells Point, we’re working with Fells Point Main Street and the community to upgrade Thames Street Park.
Our natural, native landscaping transformed the entire waterfront as we moved away from all-annual plantings, visible now all along the promenade, especially Lancaster Street promenade. Paired with Wildlife Gardening public education programs in Rash Field Park, we teach families the benefits of bringing nature and wildlife to the waterfront.
Beyond all these park improvements, the partnership also holds regular events and public education programs to offer a variety of activities to draw locals of all ages to use and enjoy their harbor.
The impact is clear. As just one example, through independent third-party measurement, we know that since Phase 1 of Rash Field Park opened, the park has had 1.5 million visits by adults (the measurement tool we use does not count anyone under the age of 18) with over 60% of the visits from citywide residents and demographics matching those of the city overall.
Our summer Baltimore by Baltimore Festival series showcases local, often undiscovered artists, musicians and makers, and draws 5,000 to 10,000 per festival to the Amphitheater. The series is our way of showcasing and lifting up local artists and has featured the Native American community filling the harbor with sounds of drumbeats and dancers in colorful regalia, Latin American music, jazz with Todd Marcus, club music and John Tyler. Over 180 makers from every corner of the city have showcased their wares. Our fall Sunset Jams series invites local residents to wind down on Friday evenings at Rash Field Park as the sun sets over the harbor while listening to local musicians and noshing on yummy local food.
We’ve also expanded recreational access to the water itself. Our first Harbor Splash in 2024 sold out in 10 minutes, and our rescheduled 2025 event is set for July 19. The Baltimore Blueway has added water trails to the walking and bike trails systems of Baltimore and will shortly become more accessible as the first kayak launch is built later this summer across from Rash Field Park.
So much progress has been made on the waterfront over the last 20 years, and I’m so grateful to have played a part in it. The strong, incredible support from the city and state, area businesses, our board and the extraordinary creativity and dedication of the Waterfront Partnership staff, area residents and volunteers were all critical to our progress.
The waterfront has grown and evolved over the last 20 years, bringing new parks, events and recreation to the land and water. I hope Baltimoreans are as enthusiastic as I am to watch the waterfront continue to evolve, inspire and welcome everyone in the coming 20 years.
Laurie Schwartz (lauriebschwartz@gmail.com) served as president of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore since its inception in 2005 and retired at the end of June.
