Baltimore City leaders, community members, and local partners gathered to celebrate a major milestone in East Baltimore: the grand reopening of the historic Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center. The revitalized facility represents both a tribute to the past and a bold investment in the city’s future.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott joined Baltimore City Recreation & Parks and a host of state and local officials to mark the occasion, calling the project a reflection of collective effort and community vision.
“Today is about honoring legacy and investing in Baltimore’s future.”
Mayor Brandon M. Scott
“…we were able to deliver the world-class rec center that the families of East Baltimore deserve.”
A Historic Legacy Reimagined
Named after legendary jazz drummer William Henry “Chick” Webb, the center has deep roots in Baltimore’s Black history. Originally built in 1947 during segregation, it was one of the first recreation centers created specifically for Black residents in East Baltimore.
What began as a community-driven vision decades ago has now been transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art facility—while preserving its cultural significance. After a $17.5 million renovation and expansion, the center now spans nearly 33,000 square feet, almost doubling its original size.
A Hub for Community, Creativity, and Wellness
The reimagined recreation center is designed to serve residents of all ages, offering a wide range of amenities that reflect today’s needs while honoring the building’s musical heritage.
Highlights include:
- A high school regulation gym for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball
- An indoor walking track and modern fitness center
- A teen lounge, classroom space, and maker studio
- A music-themed playground and outdoor courtyards
- A renovated indoor swimming pool with ADA accessibility
- A first-of-its-kind recording studio in a Baltimore recreation center
“This facility has always been rooted in community… today we are expanding that legacy with state-of-the-art amenities.”
Dr. Reginald Moore
The recording studio pays tribute to Webb’s musical legacy, offering young people a space to explore creativity through sound production and performance.
Investment in East Baltimore’s Future
City officials emphasized that the reopening is part of a broader strategy to strengthen neighborhoods through accessible recreation. The Chick Webb center is the first of six new or renovated facilities expected to open across Baltimore in 2026 under the city’s Rec Rollout initiative.
The project was funded through a combination of federal, state, and local investments, including a $12 million HUD Section 108 loan, city bonds, and Maryland’s Project Open Space program.
“This new recreation center is more than a building — it is the fulfillment of a promise to the families of East Baltimore.”
Congressman Johnny Olszewski
Honoring the Past While Building Forward
Community leaders underscored the symbolic importance of reopening a space that has long served as a safe haven and gathering place. Councilman Jermaine Jones noted the center’s historical role during a time when Black families were excluded from many public facilities, calling its reopening a continuation of that legacy.
“Reopening it means protecting that legacy and making sure young people and families… have a space where they can grow and feel connected.”
Councilman Jermaine Jones
Today, the Chick Webb Memorial Recreation Center stands not only as a tribute to a cultural icon, but as a renewed commitment to equity, access, and opportunity in Baltimore.
As the city continues investing in its neighborhoods, the center serves as a reminder that community spaces are more than buildings—they are foundations for connection, growth, and future generations.