Nestled within the historic Bolton Hill neighborhood of Baltimore, John Street Park offers a unique urban green space with a compelling story of community spirit and resilience. Often described as a “vest pocket park,” this charming oasis provides a tranquil retreat from city life, embodying the power of local residents shaping their environment.
In 1958, Sara Azrael, writing for Gardens, Houses and People magazine, playfully called John Street Park an “impertinence,” questioning the idea of a park “seven row houses wide.” Despite its unconventional dimensions, this park, officially dedicated on September 10, 1955, stands as a testament to the dedication of ordinary citizens collaborating with their city to cultivate green spaces in urban settings. John Street Park emerged from the collective efforts of Bolton Hill residents, becoming a pioneering example of a “vest pocket” park in the United States.
However, the park’s origin story goes beyond a simple desire for greenery. As Johns Hopkins, director of Baltimore Heritage, explains, the neighborhood’s initiative was initially a proactive defense against aggressive “slum clearance” projects that threatened the character of post-war Bolton Hill. A particularly concerning proposal aimed to transform John Street into an entrance ramp for the then-planned Interstate 83. You can learn more about this fascinating history in Baltimore Heritage’s video detailing the park’s creation.
Facing these threats, residents first organized as “Home Owners Against Housing Authoritarianism” (HOHA). Subsequently, in 1952, residents of the 1300 block of John Street formed the “Residential Protective Association.” For three years, this determined group successfully persuaded the city to close off John Street to traffic and establish John Street Park in its place, transforming asphalt into a community haven.
The city contributed $10,258 to the project, contingent on an agreement from the 13 adjacent families to maintain the park and allow emergency vehicle access if needed. This transformation turned John Street Park into what Azrael vividly described as “a thorn in the hide of taxi drivers who come to an impasse at the park, a blessing to mothers with children to air, a haven for the unleashed hound, an in-town sylvan picnic ground for sketchers, a nuisance to fire trucks and oil dispensers and a boon to the Good Humor man.” This colorful description captures the park’s immediate impact and diverse uses within the community.
While the residents actively maintained the park in the 1960s, upkeep became inconsistent in the following decades. Recognizing the park’s value, the John Street Park Association was formed in 1989, revitalizing park cleaning and planting efforts. To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2005, John Street Park underwent further enhancements, including the addition of a beautiful three-tiered Victorian fountain surrounded by a garden, subtle low-ground lighting, and four elegant Victorian-style benches. These additions have enriched the park’s ambiance and appeal.
Today, the John Street Park Association is led by dedicated officers Christina Lambert Pentino, Marie Wawer, Mark Pentino, and Monica Lavorgna. Beyond the association, numerous residents from the 1300 block of John Street and the wider Bolton Hill community actively enjoy and care for this beloved park, ensuring its continued vibrancy as a cherished neighborhood asset.
John Street Park stands as a remarkable example of how community action can create lasting positive change in urban environments. From its origins as a response to urban development pressures to its current status as a verdant community hub, this “vest pocket park” continues to offer a unique and valuable green space in the heart of Bolton Hill.
