Neighborhood Notes: June 2026

Baltimore Red Line Open House
The Canton Community Association and The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will co-host a Baltimore Red Line Open House on June 3 from 6–7:30 p.m. in Canton at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon Street (enter from East Ave.). The meeting will provide updates from the Maryland Transit Administration on options for moving the Red Line project forward amid federal funding uncertainty, including phased light rail, the full 14-mile rail plan, and bus rapid transit alternatives. Community attendance is encouraged. For more info about the redline, visit www.redlinemaryland.com/resources.

Composting in Canton
Composting in Canton just got even better! Thanks to a new grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation Inc. and donations from our neighbors, the free Community Compost Initiative at the I Wonder Garden (Hudson & Baylis Streets) will continue for another year! We’re excited to share there will be a site upgrade with new signage and lighting coming soon. Neighbors can drop off food scraps and compostables including fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, bread, and compostable packaging in the fenced compost area, with materials collected weekly by Veteran Compost.

Looking for an even easier option? The Baltimore Compost Collective is interested in launching a residential compost pickup program in Canton, but they need to hear from at least 25 interested neighbors before service can begin. The organization turns food waste into compost for local urban gardens while also operating as a youth entrepreneurship program that teaches workforce and sustainability skills. Interested residents who want pickup at their homes can contact them through Baltimore Compost Collective’s website to help bring the program to the neighborhood. The starting price is $25 per month for a 5-gallon bucket, picked up weekly.

Canton Canopy Spring Plantings
Canton Canopy is an all-volunteer initiative operating in affiliation with the Canton Community Association, with support from the Baltimore City Forestry Board and Baltimore City Urban Forestry Division. Its mission is to facilitate tree plantings in existing tree pits, fundraise and secure grants to cut new tree pits, and organize volunteers to help care for and maintain community trees.

This spring, Canton Canopy planted 50 new trees throughout the neighborhood, bringing the organization’s total to nearly 1,000 trees planted since 2017. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make this season’s planting days a success. Your time and effort continue to make a lasting impact in Canton.

CC is always looking for new volunteers, members, and supporters. To learn more, visit Canton Canopy. To donate,  https://www.cantoncommunity.org/donate - include “Canton Canopy” in the comment box.

Canton Kayak Club
The Canton Kayak Club, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to empowering our community to learn and enjoy kayaking at an affordable price, is open for the season! For a small annual fee, they provide an initial, basic kayaking lesson and access to kayaks at multiple locations.

 Canco Open Air Markets
Join us at Canco for an Open Air Market on Sunday, May 31, from 9-noon. The market will feature an exciting mix of vendors offering everything from fresh florals and coffee to handmade pasta, jewelry, candles, and so much more. The Market will continue on Sundays: May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27th and October 25 at 2400 Boston Street. To vend hello@cancobaltimore.com.

Dypski Park Summer Fun
Dypski Park, at 1213 S. Ellwood Ave., features a beautifully renovated playground with modern play equipment, rubber safety surfacing, shade structures, and plenty of space for kids to play.

Neighbors interested in reserving Dypski Park for a kid’s party or other special event should contact BCRP Permits and Special Events at 410-396-7070 or email park.permits@baltimorecity.gov. The office is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed on Thursdays. Further details on obtaining a permit can be found at https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/permitshome. If you host a party at Dypski, we recommend putting up your own sign in advance to share when the space is rented, otherwise the community will not have this information.

Juneteenth Freedom Walk
Join members of the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance for a symbolic Freedom Walk on Juneteenth (June 19, 2026). The walk will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Frederick Douglass historical marker outside Sprouts Market (3802 Boston St.) and continue approximately one mile to the Canton Plantation Enslavement Historical Marker in O’Donnell Square Park. The walk traces the path from Frederick Douglass’ escape to Canton’s newest acknowledgement of the forced labor that helped build the neighborhood. Participants are encouraged to read the markers, reflect on Canton’s history, and join the group afterward for coffee and conversation at Simply Marie’s (3023 Elliott St.).

Exchange Club Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to this year's Exchange Club of SE Baltimore's Scholarship recipient, Pedro Ramirez Brito, a graduating senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. His essay, hard work, letters of recommendation, completed internship at Hopkins Bayview, and interview made him an impeccable candidate for selection. We are proud to support his nursing and pre-med education journey! To learn more, visit The Exchange Club's scholarship page.

Baltimore Swim & Social Club
The Baltimore Swim and Social Club at Lighthouse Point is an urban resort experience where members can take a dip, sip cocktails, and socialize in the heart of Canton. Individual, Couples, and Family memberships are available. This season, they will be focused on creating additional value for members through enhanced amenities and activations.  

Patterson Park Public Pool Schedule 2026
The 2026 pool season is underway at Patterson Park Public Pool, with weekend hours currently Saturdays and Sundays from 11am–3pm and 4–8pm. Weekday pool hours will begin once Baltimore City schools let out for summer break. Registration for Summer 2026 Early Bird Lap Swim opens June 1. PPPP is located at 148 S. Linwood Ave. For full pool schedules, rules, information, and CivicRec registration details, visit https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/aquatics.

Canton Library Events

Summer Break Baltimore 2026
Summer Break Baltimore returns June 15 - August 15. Summer Break Baltimore is a literacy-based program at the Enoch Pratt Free Library where participants of all ages will receive a book and a bingo card, and upon completion of activities receive a t-shirt and other fun prizes! Sign up online to participate.

Fermentation 101 + Guided Tasting with HEX Ferments
Join HEX Ferments co-founder and Head Food Alchemist Meaghan Carpenter on Saturday, June 6 at 2pm at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Canton Branch Meeting Room at 1030 S. Ellwood Ave. for an engaging introduction to the world of fermentation. Learn the basics, history, and benefits of fermentation while exploring HEX’s locally sourced approach to kombucha and vegetable ferments, then enjoy a guided tasting of four unique ferments. Space is limited and registration is required.

Reporting and Preventing Crime – Tip Line
The Baltimore City Police Department asks neighbors to report crimes via this TIP email: SEDtips@baltimorepolice.org. Security camera footage and photos should be included.

CCA NEWS

VIP TICKET GIVEAWAY TO FIRST THURSDAY!
WTMD returns for their 21st season of First Thursdays free concerts at Canton Waterfront Park on Thursday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. featuring Fantastic Cat, Seven Teller and Happy Landing. We’re giving one lucky CCA member 2 VIP tickets to the show! To be eligible, sign up as a new member or renew your current membership to the Canton Community Association on/before 5 pm on Monday, June 1, 2026. The region’s largest free outdoor music festival will continue July 9, August 6 and September 3, 2026. There are food and beverage vendors on-site. No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted. DETAILS  

CCA Public Meetings 2026
February 17, May 19, September 15, and November 17
Meetings are held at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon St. and live-streamed on the CCA Facebook page.

CCA Free Community Pitch-In / Dumpster Days 2026
The CCA hosts a Community Pitch-In Day featuring a FREE community dumpster  4x a year. 2026 days include March 7 and May 30, plus 2 more dates TBD. The dumpster will be located near 1011 S. Lakewood Ave, alongside Safeway just north of Boston Street from approximately 9:00 am until noon or until full. Plan to go early, as it usually fills fast.

CCA Committees / Volunteer Opportunities
Please read our Life in Canton feature article on our much-needed volunteer roles!! The CCA has a variety of volunteer opportunities that enable neighbors to share their time and talent with the community. We’d love to see some fresh faces join our committees – especially our Public Safety, Membership, and Transportation committees. CCA committees include Arts, Economic Development, Education, Marketing, Membership, Public Safety, Transportation, Social, Sustainability, and Volunteer. The CCA also oversees the Friends of Canton Dog Park & Friends O’Donnell Square, and partners with Canton Canopy, the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance, and the I Wonder Garden. (Details) To learn more, visit www.cantoncommunity.org/volunteer/ or please contact Amanda at volunteer@cantoncommunity.org. 

CCA Merchandise
Need a gift for a new baby? Make a hoodie for a graduating senior? Or how about a hat for yourself? If you want to support the CCA and look sharp, too, you can purchase CCA merchandise including onesies, hats, long-sleeve lightweight hoodies, CCA foldable/reusable tote bags, tumblers, and more at Canton Ace Hardware at 1022 Binney Street.

Become a CCA Member
Joining the CCA is a gateway to meeting neighbors and supporting local businesses in our community. Meet awesome people and learn about our neighborhood and how you can engage to not only have fun but help others, too. You’ll also receive a subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, Life in Canton, and some cool CCA merch. Individual memberships start at only $10/year; business memberships at $250. For details, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us.

CCA Social Media - Follow Us!
For the latest information about our neighborhood and other helpful community/city news, please follow our CCA pages on social media. Instagram @CCA_Baltimore and Facebook.