Mahan Rykiel Associates’ 40th Anniversary is a significant milestone that we celebrate with humility, gratitude and optimism for the future. Over the past four decades, we have been fortunate to serve our community and build spaces that are functional, beautiful, sustainable, and inspiring for all. We recognize that our success is a culmination of the support and contributions of many individuals over the years, and we express gratitude to those who have helped us achieve so much. We look forward to reaching out during our 40th anniversary year and giving back to the community we serve. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram for updates as we organize specific community volunteer events in the coming months. #MRA40

As we were brainstorming ideas to give back to the community to celebrate our 40th year, we decided to take the first step toward implementing a park design we had donated to the Howard Park neighborhood of Baltimore. Mahan Rykiel collaborated with local partners to secure tree donations from Blue Water Baltimore and gator bags from Live Green Landscape. On April 21st, our team, together with some staff from the Ladew Topiary Gardens, gathered to plant a dozen Willow Oaks and Scarlet Oaks in the new park, now dubbed “Serenity Park” by the neighbors. Chris Ervin, who helped envision the park and is Chairman of the Howard Park Civic Association, joined the team along with Officer Cornelia Baines, a Baltimore City Police officer who patrols the area around the park.

The project initiated during the pandemic, when staff from Ladew Topiary Gardens met Chris Ervin, while helping to repair the Arab stables nearby. The Ladew team was eager to help with another project, and Mr. Ervin explained that he was trying to create a park in the neighborhood due to the lack of access to any recreation center or parks. The area was overgrown with invasive trees, weeds and shrubs that Mr. Ervin managed to have cleared. Emily Emerick, Executive Director of Ladew, reached out to Scott Rykiel, and asked if MRA would be interested in helping to design a park for this neighborhood.  Scott, with some MRA designers, created a plan for the park. We now look forward to the next phases of the park implementation, including walkways, benches, and pollinator gardens.  It was truly rewarding hearing Chris comment on the positive impact the park will have in the community.