By the end of the year, Baltimore will stop funding 31 of its 55 recreational centers. The city aims to hand over control of these centers to private groups, but the demand in the private sector is sparse and the proposals from private groups that Baltimore City Recreation and Parks has received would only cover half of the 31 centers.
As it stands, these centers will be closed if no more private companies are interested. Recreational centers serve many different functions for their communities. The programs, which are directed at both children and adults, include sports facilities, computer labs and arts and crafts. The centers are extremely beneficial for their communities because they offer the residents access to resources that might not be available otherwise.
Through their programs, recreational centers teach and promote many fundamental, valuable skills and hobbies. If these healthy, beneficial outlets are shut down, neighborhood youths may be more susceptible to negative influences. The centers are necessary for creating a safe and productive leisure environment.
With youths returning from juvenile detention in particular, recreational centers are recognized as a main factor in determining whether or not a youth reoffends. Having programs and facilities regularly available helps give them purpose and integrate them back into their communities.
The safety and well being of its neighborhoods should be of paramount importance to the city of Baltimore. Baltimore should continue to support these 15 remaining recreational centers financially should no more private offers be made.
Also, many Hopkins students are involved with recreational centers through Hopkins groups. One of the locations Hopkins students frequently visit is in Greenmount, and this is one of the locations at risk of being shut down.
If Baltimore were closing these recreational centers to reorganize its budget in support of other youth-oriented programs the situation might not be so dire. Since this does not appear to be the case, though, this editorial board urges Baltimore to continue offering these valuable and much needed services to its communities. By halving the number of centers, the city will be denying thousands of its residents access to tools and facilities they need.
