New 'Waterfront Walks' Self-Guided Tour Focuses On Art

The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore recently announced the second walk in its “Waterfront Walks” series of themed and self-guided walking tours of Baltimore’s waterfront neighborhoods – Sculptures, Art, and Photo Spots invites visitors to discover the harbor’s attractions.

“There is so much to see at the waterfront, and whether you are a first-time visitor or a longtime resident, we think there is something new for everyone to discover on this walk,” said Laurie Schwartz, president of Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.

The tour is split into three categories: photo opportunities, sculptures, and art, introducing visitors to 36 sights around waterfront promenade from Rash Field Park to the Broadway Pier in Fells Point.

One of the art stops, “Paint Your Rash Field Park: Community Art Project” features 15 banners hand painted by Baltimore City youth, including participants at Baltimore City Recreation and Parks learning centers and recreation centers, community groups, and organizations. The banners were designed by Waterfront Partnership’s Marketing Manager Kelly Louise Barton to reflect the energy and activities anticipated at Rash Field Park once phase one of the park opens in late 2021.

The photo stops include some of Baltimore’s most popular attractions like Mr. Trash Wheel at Stop 5 and lesser-known photo spots like the finger piers on the west side of the Inner Harbor and Wills Park at Stop 8, situated between Wills Wharf and Thames Street Wharf in Harbor Point with unobstructed views of Domino Sugar and the waterfront.

Visitors can also get to know the 15 art sculptures that dot the waterfront promenade, from the historic Kawasaki Stone Lantern at Stop 8 to the newly renovated McKeldin Square at Stop 5, or they can learn about the nine art displays that bring history and color to Baltimore’s streets like the mural by Chilean artist Nelson Rivas aka “Cekis” at Stop 5 with teal and blue squares which represent the water of the harbor.

Waterfront Partnership launched the “Waterfront Walks” series in the summer of 2020 with its Native Plant Gardens tour offering visitors an opportunity to learn about the importance of native plants and identify over 23 types of plants and common pollinators like birds, butterflies and bees that call the Inner Harbor home.

To view interactive maps for each walk and learn more about the “Waterfront Walks” self-guided tours, visit waterfrontpartnership.org. Waterfront Partnership is encouraging visitors to post photos to social media with #YourWaterfrontViews to share waterfront selfies and views of the Harbor.

Waterfront Partnership, in collaboration with our government, business, and community partners, creates a clean, green, safe, sustainable and thriving urban waterfront for all to enjoy. We're lean, nimble and effective; the only organization that wakes up every day, rolls its sleeves up and gets to work on new ways we can make Baltimore's Waterfront even more active, attractive and appealing. We're the hosts who greet visitors, the creators of programs and promotions and managers of our beautiful parks. We encourage investment in Baltimore's most celebrated asset so it can continue to grow, to serve as a place of pride and the place where Baltimoreans come together to recreate and to celebrate. For more information, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.