–photo courtesy of Baltimore County Government-
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks announced plans to begin a community-driven effort to re-envision Veterans Park and a meeting will be held in Dundalk.
Located in the heart of the Historic Dundalk Town Center commercial area, Veterans Park maintains several monuments dedicated to servicemembers and is located directly adjacent to key community assets, including the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society and Museum and the Dundalk Sparrows Point USPS Post Office. The site’s last major renovation was in 1987.
“Veterans Park is a beloved anchor for our historic Dundalk community and we are excited to bring neighbors, advocates, and stakeholders together to reinvigorate this space,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
“We look forward to working with all our partners to deliver a transformational greenspace that highlights this community’s pride and potential for years to come.”
County Councilman Todd Crandell noted Veterans Park needs the upgrades and he was pleased with the announcement from Baltimore County.
“We have long advocated for a revamping of Veterans Park in Old Dundalk, including enhanced public safety measures and family-oriented amenities,” Crandell said on social media.
“I am pleased by the County Executive’s and Director of Rec & Parks’ commitment to our goals regarding the park, starting with hearing from the community before any specific plans are developed.”
As an initial phase of this long-term reimagining, Baltimore County will remove the dilapidated pavilion located at the site and lead aggressive community cleaning and beautification efforts at the site, including increased trash pickups, installing additional park lighting, and planning volunteer community clean-ups.
Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks will host a community input meeting on Monday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Dundalk High School (1901 Delvale Ave, 21222) to solicit public input on how to reimagine site in order to meet the needs and desires of the community.
“We are excited to breathe new life into Veterans Park in historic Dundalk,” said Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith.
“This park has served as a central foundation for this community for decades and we are looking forward to providing a quality newly designed park as part of our commitment to revitalizing our older neighborhoods.”
In the coming months, Baltimore County will work in partnership community stakeholders to design and finalize plans for the future of the site.
“We are so proud of all that we have accomplished as an organization and as a community. We are thrilled to partner with the County to add to and enhance those efforts,” said Tasha Gresham-James, Executive Director, Dundalk Renaissance.
“Reimaging Veterans Park into a vibrant, urban greenspace could be transformative for Historic Dundalk Town Center.”
“This is a very promising initiative and the we are excited to work with the County and other partners and neighbors to create a positive community space at the center of Old Dundalk,” said Jessica Lilli, President, Old Dundalk Neighborhood Association.
“We are so happy that the County is responsive to many of our neighbors’ concerns about Veterans Park and we could not be more excited to participate as a partner in this process.”
“We are so excited about the County’s initiative to reimagine Veterans Park. The park and Historic Dundalk Town Center, like our school, are critical assets to the Dundalk community. Making a vibrant green space at the center of town would help showcase the beautiful community that has always been here,” said Jennifer Pilarski, Principal, Dundalk Elementary School.
“Our school community looks forward to being an active participant and partner in this process.”
Following community input, Baltimore County anticipates beginning capital renovations at Veterans Park in 2025.
