Eager Park, Baltimore

Eager Park opened on 6 May 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. The park is the centrepiece of a neighbourhood programme focused on health and wellness, offering residents, hospital and research staff and visitors a green space to socialise, exercise and relax.

The regenerated neighbourhood combines urban design, amenities, a curated retail mix and community programming — sporting events, concerts, farmers' markets. The park was designed by Mahan Rykiel Associates and Gensler Architects, who specified several low-impact materials, including around 10,000 square feet of Kebony Clear decking for the pathways throughout.

The modified wood was chosen for its durability and its performance in severe weather: the Baltimore and Washington area sees hot, humid summers and freezing winters. Eager Park received the 2017 Wavemaker Award from the Urban Land Institute Baltimore.