Baltimore has a vacant property reclamation project termed “Project 5000.” The purpose of the project is to purchase vacant properties in “competitive, emerging, and stable” neighborhoods, but the most recent Master Plan calls for an extension of this project to “transitional and distressed” areas. Further, the plan calls for offering interest groups the chance to convert or purchase the vacant lots for conversion into community gardens, among other uses.

In combination with Project 5000, the Master Plan calls for support of a Community Garden Land Trust. The trust is designed to ensure that public open spaces are maintained, protected, and sustainable. The land trust will further ensure that the time, labor, and money invested by residents to create these green spaces will be protected; the community-managed open spaces will complement the extensive network of parks and trails and place no additional responsibility on the Department of Recreation and Parks.