What was once a rodent-infested alleyway in West Baltimore is now a blooming Urban Oasis — a vibrant community space transformed by the vision and persistence of founder and executive director Arica Gonzalez and her neighbors.
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the entry gate, a collaborative public art piece designed by blacksmith Nicholas Ireys of NI Metal Design. The gate, which features a large iron tree, will soon hold aluminum leaves etched by community members, a living archive of names, memories, and community care.
The Urban Oasis also features green space, a free community library, charging stations, and public Wi-Fi — practical resources rooted in love. Local leaders including Senator Antonio Hayes, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Dan Ellis, CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services Baltimore, came out in support, alongside the Baltimore Zoo, which hosted hands-on activities for kids and families.
“This is an example of what can happen when decisions are made by the people who actually live here,” one attendee said.
Children hammered designs into leaves, neighbors swapped stories, and the air was thick with pride and promise. The event wasn’t just a celebration of the alley — it marked nearly a decade of reclaiming space, from neglected spaces to centers of joy and care. And this is only the beginning: three more gates are planned, each one a testament to what can grow when a community builds together.
