Baltimore is known as a city of neighborhoods. Each neighborhood in Baltimore used to have its own recreation center or at least one within walking distance. In the early 2000s, due to budget constraints, the Dewees Rec and over 20 other recs were slated to close. With a huge amount of community protest and support, the process to close Dewees was stopped. Since then, over one hundred thousand dollars worth of city, private donor, and non-profit support have improved this community resource for youth. Youth in the neighborhoods along the York Road corridor are also getting 2 new school buildings constructed north and south of the rec center making this the biggest combined investment in youth in this community in over 50 years.
