Community Partner: Mount Royal Community Development Corporation
Intern: Hannah Farkas
Site Supervisors: Dale Terrill
What is Mount Royal Community Development Corporation?
Mount Royal CDC attempts to revitalize the community through economic and social development.
I have always been interested in urban parks and green spaces, but my time with
the Mount Royal Community Development Corporation (MRCDC) has made me
even more devoted to promoting the sustainability and greening of cities. My
focus was on a research project in Druid Hill Park, one of the oldest public parks
in the country. I had the opportunity to learn about the rich history of the park
and its surrounding neighborhoods and what it means to Baltimore today.
Through gathering information, analyzing data, and working with the
Department of Recreation and Parks and Friends of Druid Hill Park, I discovered
what a large beneficial impact this 750 acre urban oasis has on the city, both
economically and in terms of public health. I was also exposed to Baltimore’s
political scene which, although it may not always be pretty, did illuminate how
much small grassroots organizations can do with enough persistence. However, it
was my conversations with frequent park users and neighbors of the park that
was the most valuable and solidified my love for Druid Hill. Hearing anecdotes of
how people grew up picnicking in the park every weekend, how they remember
when the now historic tennis courts first became desegregated, or how they ride
their bikes with their children around the reservoir every single day reminded me
why something so seemingly simple as a park is so meaningful to cities. I am
extremely grateful for my time with CIIP, for both the opportunity to spend the
summer exploring this quirky, fascinating city and meeting so many wonderful
Baltimoreans along the way, and for getting me excited to continue my studies in
sustainability at Hopkins and beyond.
‐Hannah
Tasks:
• Survey access points and entrances to Druid
Hill Park and contribute innovative ideas on
how they could be improved to increase usage
of the green space.
• Collect and analyze data on the economic
benefits of Druid Hill Park and its current usage
• Create and conduct a survey in collaboration
with Friends of Druid Hill Park and the
Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks
for frequent users of the park to assess how
the park is used, its strengths and weaknesses,
and gather information on what users would
like to see changed within the park
• Contribute writing and research to a report
and redevelopment plan for the park, based
on the information collected from the surveys
and data analysis
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