Is Baltimore’s harbor swimmable? How participating in Harbor Splash 2024 changed me
Yesterday, I jumped in Baltimore’s harbor. Today, I’m a changed man.
More than 150 people took a leap of faith into the waters at Bond Street Wharf on June 23, 2024, aiming to raise awareness for a cleaner, more usable waterway. I was among them, and the experience was, to put it simply, transformative.
A New Perspective on Baltimore’s Waters
Today, I carry the fresh scent of clean harbor water. As the sun had set the day before, I jumped into the heart of Baltimore’s harbor and emerged rejuvenated. The harbor’s waters were ideally tempered – cool enough to be refreshing, yet warm enough to keep me comfortably immersed for a while.
I felt a sense of community as I joined over 150 people at the inaugural Harbor Splash, organized by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. There was music, speeches and yes, plenty of water splashing. It was an unprecedented affair for Baltimore and, indeed, for me.
The Harbor Felt Like Home
I’d be remiss to not admit that I was initially skeptical of the cleanliness of the harbor. Its past as an industrial wasteland is no secret. For centuries, it has been the dumping ground for sewage, fertilizer, industrial waste, and in recent times, discarded electronic scooters. Yet, here I was, ready to plunge into its waters in a show of hope and validation for the efforts put in to clean up the harbor.
Is it safe to swim in the Inner Harbor? This was a question looming over my head. But when it was declared swimmable, the excitement within me knew no bounds — akin to a sit-at-home mom’s joy upon discovering an open jar of peanut butter.
A Public Asset in the Making
A clean, swimmable harbor can be one of Baltimore’s most significant public assets. If we continue to make strides in cleaning up the harbor, I imagine future generations spending their summers swimming, floating and playing in the refreshing waters of the Patapsco River. And the best part? This fun would come at minimal cost.
The Harbor Splash may have been seen as a stunt by some, but to me, it signified a significant milestone for Baltimore. We stepped into a new chapter in our relationship with the harbor, uniting the city in a newfound appreciation for our diverse cultural history and community spirit — all while enjoying a refreshing dip in the water.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
