A new website (RashField.org) recently launched to provide information about the redevelopment of Rash Field, including dates and times for upcoming public meetings scheduled to gather community input for the project. From the website:
IMPORTANT DATES
Public Meeting #1 – January 6th, 2016 – MD Science Center – 6pm
Focus Group Workshop – January 25th, 2016 – MD Science Center – Times TBD
Public Meeting #2 – March 29th, 2016 – MD Science Center – 6pm
Over the last 15 years, many plans have been proposed and discussed in regards to the future of Rash Field at the south shore of the Inner Harbor. When the Inner Harbor 2.0 Plan was released in November 2013, ideas for a redeveloped Rash Field included things such as water and sculpture gardens, a barge pool, a public beach, a carousel, a children’s science garden, and playgrounds, but no mention was made of a space for beach volleyball. However, the Waterfront Partnership released a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a Rash Field improvement plan in July and beach volleyball was front and center as a requirement.
Baltimore landscape architecture firm Mahan Rykiel Associates Inc. was chosen for the project. The firm must include the following uses and design principles in the redesign of Rash Field:
· Beach volleyball
· Outdoor exercise equipment and uses (e.g. jogging track)
· Active health and wellness, fitness space for organized or informal activities
· Remove berm separating field from the Promenade and add shade swings
· Upgrade South Shore promenade
· Provide flexible programming space for activities including bocce, ping pong, etc.
· Provide flexible outdoor events space
· Recommend treatment for safe use of remaining areas (e.g. wood bleachers)
· Potential Concession – seasonal, locally owned and operated outdoor café
· Relocate Pride Memorial, Carousel, and Kawasaki Garden (alternate locations are currently being identified)
· Add shade
· Storage for Rash Field programming and event activities
· Upgrade bathrooms
· Other uses brought forward by design team, stakeholder meetings, or the Advisory Committee
The budget for the first phase of improvements is about $3 million, which is already allocated in the city’s capital improvement budget. There is a possibility for a larger budget for improvements in Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019.
Work is expected to begin in late 2016.
“We’d like to build on the popularity of beach volleyball… we’ve seen many fitness programs, such as November Project, use the current space as well,” said Laurie Schwartz, president of Waterfront Partnership, in July after the release of the RFQ. “The removal of the berm (separating the park and Inner Harbor promenade) will increase sight lines, hopefully leading to more people participating in the activities.”