The writer of this article was part of a summer honors experience: Voices From Our Backyard: Local News Narratives during which students created and wrote stories to be published in community news outlets.
Jordan Scott
Three...two...one... Lift Off!
On a recent sunny summer morning, family, friends, and local officials convened to inaugurate Baltimore County’s newest RAC (Recreation and Activity Center). Mothers, children, project managers, architects, and council members huddled in a freshly paved parking lot to gaze at the newest addition to the community, which now stands in the center of The Miramar Landing Neighborhood.
The convening was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new center, which some said exemplified what investment in new beginnings for a historic community can look like. Aeronautics themed after the history it is surrounded by—including Lockhead Martin Aerospace Defense Corporation and Martin State Airport, this new RAC is expected to provide many enrichment opportunities for the community.
“This is going to of course allow the community to connect and for families to gather,” said Annete Karanja, a member of The Miramar Landing Neighborhood and local business owner. Karanja added that she was excited that there would be a neutral meeting space for moms, book clubs, and formal sports.
According to the Baltimore County Government website, there are over 360 parks and school recreation centers in the county. According to Director of Baltimore County Recreation and Parks Bob Smith, these RAC's are known as important outlets for students of all ages because they provide a place outside of school for enrichment and learning. “It will give the community the opportunity to utilize the spaces in more non-traditional hours," Smith added.
The Baltimore County Recreation and Parks website details that each center has activities planned for all ages along with after-school programs. RACs will be open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and hours may be adjusted based on community needs with after school programs running from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Though The Middle River Recreation Center is a brand-new structure, existing centers throughout the country have been transformed from Police Athletic Leagues (PALs) to Recreation Activity Centers (RACs) to address a wider range of community needs as opposed to the PAL programs catering to those ages eight to seventeen.
There are nine recreation activity centers in The Baltimore County circuit not including The Middle River Center and Rosedale according to The Baltimore County Recreation and Parks website. “The Rosedale [Recreation and Activity Center] will have an esports theme.” The Rosedale RAC set to open September 2024 is just eight minutes from CCBC Essex.
Each RAC was planned to incorporate local history. The Middle River Center highlights the area’s aviation history paying tribute to Glen L. Martin Airport named after the American Aviator. Priya Iyer Project Manager and Architect explained This RAC was designed to look like an airplane enclosure and showcases photographs of pilots who flew over the very community which ground was broken for the center. “If you look at the gym it’s got this curved roof, which is like an airplane hangar.” 
According to an email from David O’Dell Landscape Architect at Baltimore County Recreation and Parks, the center is equipped with “an array of indoor recreation facilities and spaces, including a spacious double gym with stage, retractable wall and basketball goals, stage, movie screen and sound system, a total of six activity and multipurpose rooms that support a wide range of programs and activities, staff office, kitchen and break room, restrooms, and storage rooms. The nearby outdoor sports courts will be renovated as part of this project.”
He explained that The RAC received more than $11.8 Million in funding, secured from a variety of organizations and initiatives. These include county funds, Maryland Program Open Space grant funding, federal dollars through The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and a state capital grant secured by the state legislators representing Baltimore County’s residents.”
According to The Baltimore City Government website, recreation centers perpetuate instrumental economic growth, and they contribute to higher real estate values, emphasize the need and awareness of parks in general, and increase local economic activity. “We are currently looking specifically to hire members from the community,” says Jonathan Toussaint the RAC Coordinator when asked about job opportunities for community members.
“We didn’t have any centers like this [one] until today,” Smith proclaimed at The Middle River Ceremony. Each RAC is unique and those who worked on this project listened to the community to better understand what their needs were and how to best tend to those needs.
“This is probably the most inviting building we’ve ever built... the floor plan allows flow,” Smith said about the center’s design. This center is situated next to Glenmar Elementary, which gets its namesake from Glen L. Martin. “I’m hoping that rec and parks can have several programs that tailor to not only just the sports side but also the academic side to reinforce some of that,” says Iyer.
The Miramar Landing Neighborhood has a deep history. The community itself, as with any community, has needs. “I constantly heard from families... we need more to do,” Kathy Bevans former county councilwoman explains. Councilman Mike Ertel echoed Bevans' sentiments. "Kids need more to do," he stated.
The building that resembles an aircraft's resting place and large windows to watch planes fly overhead signifies the first step of many for Middle River’s future. Countywide changes are being made in the rec and parks department for more inviting facilities for community members to get enthused about. Community members are encouraged to engage with a center near them.
It’s really nice to see communities bringing back rec centers.