YAC is requesting matching funds to complete the plans for a fitness relaxation park at the corner of Mura Street and Collington Avenue in the Collington Square Community located in Baltimore city. Legacy Park will have a mural of the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, painted by muralist Nether410, a fitness equipment and a gazebo, all conceptually developed with members of the Colington Square Community. Created for the Congressman as a memorial by his former District Director, Harry T. Spikes II, the park’s goal is to show children, both young and old, that one man can make a difference. Spikes described the Congressman as his mentor, friend, and as a man who made a difference in the lives of so many people across the nation. The location of the park is 2130 Mura Street in Baltimore, Maryland. The planned mural will face Collington Avenue and the Collington Square community park. Since its acquirement, Mr. Spikes has maintained the park and it has gone through three renovations. The renovations are:

1. clearing debris, trash, landscaping, overgrown weeds on the fence, and tree trimming;
2. renovating the fence (stabilizing and covering it with anti-graffiti paint); and
3. rehabilitating the gazebo (refurbishing its structure and installing anti-graffiti paint with weatherproof sealant).

The mural of Congressman Elijah E. Cummings will be the highlight of Legacy Park. From our experience, adding murals to parks completes them, discouraging neglect of the space and greatly helping the park’s activation and transformation into places where neighbors meet each other. This simple act is how communities develop efficacy and a fundamental way our communities build trust and curb violence. For complete funding of the mural, including labor, materials, drafting, and development with members of the Collington Square Community, we are asking $20,000. Your contribution will ensure the completion of this project!