On January 28, Mission First Housing Group with its partners The Henson Development Company (THC) and Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) celebrated the Groundbreaking of the Nathaniel McFadden Learn and Play Park in Baltimore. The park is our next project in Perkins Somerset Old Town (PSO) Transformation Plan where Mission First’s 1234 McElderry Apartments, The Ruby at Somerset and The Ella at Somerset recently opened.

Over 100 people attended the event on a gorgeous winter day and celebration that included remarks from Mayor Brandon Scott, Senator Cory V. McCray, Councilmember Jermaine Jones, HABC’s President Janet Abrahams, Former Councilmember Robert Stokes and THC’s Dana Henson .

Former Senator Nathaniel McFadden, the park’s namesake, and many of his family members also attended and shared their enthusiasm for the new park. He said during the ceremony, “All of the people who put this together, thank you. I want to this to be a great learning experience for our children.”

Senator McFadden is a former educator. The park will feature many educational elements as part of the design. It’s theme will be centered around learning and the Jazz greats that contributed to helping mold black musical talent. The design takes into account all ages, physical and learning spectrums, and it will have an amphitheater for community events. The park will open fall 2025.

For more information about Mission First’s work with PSO, visit www.somersetbaltimore.com.