Baltimore opens first public kayak launch in the Inner Harbor

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore city and Maryland state leaders came together on Friday to celebrate a new era of public access to the Inner Harbor.

Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, joined by Mayor Brandon Scott, Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman and other local leaders, held an event on Aug. 28 announcing the opening of the first dedicated public kayak launch in Rash Field Park.

The launch, which is ADA-accessible, offers residents and visitors a safe and convenient way to get on the water in downtown Baltimore.

This launch is the first facility of its kind built specifically for kayaks and paddle craft in the history of the Inner Harbor.

The event also featured the debut of two self-service kayak rental stations at Rash Field and Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point, letting people use a mobile app to rent and unlock kayaks from their smartphones.

Mayor Brandon Scott called the waterfront one of Baltimore’s greatest resources. “Investments like this create new opportunities for recreation, tourism and economic activity while making the harbor more welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors alike,” Scott said.

Dan Taylor, President of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, explained the unique experience of seeing the city from the water. “There is nothing like experiencing Baltimore from the water and the Inner Harbor is the perfect starting point to explore our city,” Taylor said. He believes that giving more people this opportunity will create a stronger connection to the harbor and foster a more vibrant and inclusive waterfront.

The project is part of the Baltimore Blueway, a long-term effort to establish more than 30 miles of connected water trails and a network of public water access points across the city.

Since the adoption of the Baltimore Blueway Master Plan in 2023, both public and private partners have been working to expand access for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and other forms of recreation.

The Rash Field kayak launch is designed for users of all ages and abilities.

It is a main piece of a wider plan to make Baltimore’s waterfront more accessible, improve water quality and support habitat restoration, strengthening Baltimore’s place as a city tied to its harbor.