McElderry Park, Baltimore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids McElderry Park
Neighborhood of Baltimore
Amazing Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2424 McElderry Street
McElderry Park Location in Baltimore
Country	United States
State	Maryland
City	Baltimore
Area
• Total	.161 sq mi (0.42 km2)
• Land	.161 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Population  (2008)
• Total	4,477
• Density	27,810/sq mi (10,740/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	21224 and 21205
Area code	410, 443, and 667

McElderry Park is a neighborhood in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. It is located in the northern part of the city's southeastern district. The neighborhood is bordered by East Fayette Street, East Monument Street, Linwood Avenue, and Patterson Park Avenue.

McElderry Park is surrounded by other interesting neighborhoods. To the south is Patterson Park. Butchers Hill is to the southwest. Ellwood Park is to the east. The campus of Johns Hopkins Hospital is to the west. To the north, you'll find the Madison-East End neighborhood.

In the early 1980s, McElderry Park faced some challenges. Many homes became empty. However, people are now working hard to improve the area. They are turning empty buildings into useful spaces, like public gardens. The community is focused on making the neighborhood a great place to live.

According to a 2000 study, about 34% of families in McElderry Park had lower incomes. The neighborhood is mainly made up of Black residents. However, it also has many White and Hispanic people living there. This mix of cultures makes the community diverse and vibrant.

History of McElderry Park

The neighborhood gets its name from the McElderry family. They were rich merchants in Baltimore during the early 1800s. Thomas McElderry (1758–1810) came to Baltimore in 1793 from Ireland. He quickly became successful. He built a wharf, which is a place where ships load and unload goods. He also helped improve Market Square and started the Baltimore Water Company.

McElderry Park is part of the East Monument Historic District. This area was once known as "Little Bohemia" or "Swampoodle." It was a central place for Czech immigrants in Baltimore. Many Czech families settled here, creating a unique cultural history.

Former President Jimmy Carter Helps Out

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter (who served from 1977 to 1981) visited McElderry Park. On October 5, 2010, he helped with a Habitat for Humanity project. Habitat for Humanity is a group that builds and repairs homes for people in need.

President Carter joined 300 volunteers. They worked to fix up empty houses on the 2400 block of Jefferson Street. This project was part of a week-long effort to restore homes in the area.

"Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake" has been working in McElderry Park since 2006. They are part of a long-term plan to improve parts of the neighborhood. When they started in 2007, only two out of 43 houses on that street were lived in. By the end of 2010, they hoped to have 32 houses owned and lived in by families. This shows how much positive change can happen when people work together.

Amazing Port Street Sacred Commons

The "Amazing Port Street Sacred Commons" is a special green space. It includes a prayer labyrinth, a garden, and an open grassy field. This peaceful area is located behind the Amazing Grace Lutheran Church. The church was formed in 1996 from several older Lutheran churches.

The Commons is at 2424 McElderry Street. Before it was a green space, the area had old, empty houses. The church bought the land and turned it into a beautiful open space. They received a grant from the TKF Foundation to help with this project.

The Commons is open to everyone, no matter their faith. This is a rule because of the grant they received. The garden grows fresh food. This food is given out by the church's food pantry, called the "Center for Grace-full Living." It's a great example of how a community can create something positive from empty spaces.

Public Services and Resources

McElderry Park has several important public services for its residents.

Schools in the Neighborhood

• Tench Tilghman Elementary and Middle School: This school serves students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade. It is located at 600 North Patterson Park Avenue. About 360 students attend this school.
• William Paca Elementary School: This school is for students from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade. You can find it at 200 North Lakewood Avenue. It has about 624 students.

Library Access

• Patterson Park Branch Library: This local library branch is a great place for books, computers, and learning. It is located at 158 North Linwood Avenue.

Local Parks

• Patterson Park: This is one of Baltimore City's largest and oldest green spaces. It's like a big "green oasis" in the city. The park is bordered by Eastern Avenue to the south, Patterson Park Avenue to the west, Ellwood Street to the east, and East Baltimore Street and East Pratt Street to the north. It's a wonderful place for recreation and relaxation.

Transportation Options

McElderry Park has good public transportation links.

• Route 35 (MTA Maryland): This bus route connects Downtown Baltimore to White Marsh. It has stops along East Monument Street and East Madison Street.
• Route 40 Quickbus: This fast bus service stops at East Fayette Street and Linwood Avenue. It travels across the city from Woodlawn in the west to Essex in Baltimore County in the east.
• Route 13: This bus route goes through the neighborhood along Milton Avenue, McElderry Street, and Linwood Avenue.
• Route 20 and Route 23: These routes provide cross-town bus service along East Fayette Street.