Mary E. Rodman Recreation Center Reopens After $1.8 Million Upgrade, Restoring a Vital Community Hub
The Allendale community in Lower Edmondson Village is celebrating a long-awaited milestone: the official reopening of theMary E. Rodman Recreation Centerfollowing a transformative$1.8 million renovationthat brings new life and renewed promise to one of West Baltimore’s most relied-upon gathering spaces.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony onFriday, November 21stmarked the occasion, drawing elected officials and community leaders includingMayor Brandon Scott,Comptroller Bill Henry,Delegates Sandy Rosenberg and Sean Stinnett, and members of theAllendale Community Association (ACA)—all unified in recognizing the rec center’s historical and ongoing significance.
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Located at3600 W. Mulberry Street, the center had been closed since 2022 as crews addressed long-overdue repairs, only to uncover additional aging fixtures and structural needs that extended the project timeline. Throughout the process, ACA members remained closely engaged with Baltimore City Recreation & Parks to ensure transparency and progress.
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Honoring a Baltimore Education PioneerThe recreation center continues to honor its namesake,Mary E. Rodman, a trailblazing figure in Baltimore’s educational history. A graduate of the city’s first public high school for Black students in 1889, Rodman dedicated her career to advancing education for African American youth as both a teacher and administrator. Her legacy endures through both the recreation center and the former elementary school that also bears her name.
One of the most valued services returning to the center is theACA’s monthly Free Produce Giveaway, which has operated since August 2020. Each month, the association distributes300–400 boxes of fresh foodto families across the community, in partnership with theMaryland Food Bank.
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But the program now faces new financial pressure. BeginningFebruary 2026, the Maryland Food Bank will begin charging partners a$500 monthly fee, creating a$6,000 annual funding gapfor the ACA. While the Baltimore Community Foundation has provided approximately $1,000 toward the effort, the association urgently needs donors and volunteers to sustain the essential service.
The giveaway occurs on thefourth Saturdayof each month, with the next distribution scheduled forSaturday, December 13th, adjusted to avoid the Christmas holiday.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}A Weekend of Service and Community StrengthThe reopening weekend showcased the resilience and vibrancy of the surrounding neighborhoods. Just minutes from the recreation center, former Baltimore Ravens wide receiverTorrey Smithand his organizationLEVEL 82hosted a free turkey giveaway at the Baltimore Ravens Boys & Girls Club, bringing holiday support to hundreds of families.
ACA TreasurerDr. Haki Ammiunderscored the area’s strategic potential as a desirable place to live: “Many cars and trucks travel daily through our area to access I-95. We hope to attract quality homeowners and renters who work in D.C. and are looking for a convenient commute—what’s a 10-minute Uber or park-and-ride for bus riders?”
As the Mary E. Rodman Recreation Center reopens its doors, the ACA is focused on building momentum—but they cannot do it alone. Community members, organizations, and supporters across Baltimore are encouraged to get involved, whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word.
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The revitalized recreation center stands as more than a building—it represents renewed hope, restored history, and a strengthened commitment to community progress in West Baltimore.
