As concerned Baltimoreans and Marylanders, we urge you to allocate federal, state, and local funds to maintain a skating rink in Patterson Park. The LeFrak Center in Brooklyn's Prospect Park is an excellent model for a new rink if the DiPietro Rink is deemed beyond repair.

Despite concerted community advocacy in support of the Mimi DiPietro Skating Rink during the Patterson Park Master Plan process, it is currently scheduled for demolition. It is hard to believe after the youth uprising at Mondawmin Mall in May that Baltimore City officials would seek to close this rink. It should be clear to all of us that young people-- and all Baltimoreans-- need every outlet for safe exercise, socializing, and recreation they can get. In the winter time, when mental and physical health issues are often particularly acute, the Mimi DiPietro Rink is one of the few places people in Southeast and East Baltimore can go to stay healthy, happy, and connected to the larger community. We know that mental and physical health are related to violence, and as the most violent year in Baltimore's history comes to a close, maintaining a skating rink in Patterson Park becomes not only an issue of public health, but of public safety as well.

The proposed new rink on the waterfront will benefit adult hockey leagues to the detriment of Baltimore City families and youths-- including many experiencing poverty-- for whom Patterson Park is a more accessible location. While it could compliment the existing rink, it is not an accessible or equitable replacement for many who use the DiPietro Rink. For reasons of health, safety, and equity, it is important to us that you guarantee dedicated funds for maintaining a skating rink in Patterson Park.

In the coming weeks, we will reach out to schedule times to meet in person with you and your staff to express our concerns and those of members of our communities.

Sincerely,