Follow new crosswalk art to the 10th season of the Govanstowne Farmers’ Market
A newly painted crosswalk mural marks the path to the Govanstowne Farmers’ Market, which will open for its 10th season this summer. The Govanstowne Farmers’ Market, which will be open on Wednesdays from 3 – 6 p.m. between June 2 and Sept. 29, 2021, is located in the parking lot of Loyola's Transportation and Public Safety complex at 5104 York Rd.
The crosswalk’s bird-themed design, “Unity Tracks,” by Baltimore artist Graham Coreil-Allen was installed earlier this month. The crosswalk painting on York Road aims to encourage pedestrian safety, bridge east and west sides of York Road, and promote small businesses such as those at the Govanstowne Farmers’ Market.
Loyola’s York Road Initiative, which runs the Farmers’ Market, also helped York Road
Partnership resident leaders paint the final touches on the crosswalk murals at 5200
York Road. The crosswalk art was part of the Baltimore Development Corporation’s Design
for Distance program, which works to advance public health and safe, functioning commercial
corridors and increase access to small businesses during COVID.
The York Road corridor also received Design for Distance investments through outdoor seating installations at five local restaurants—Clark Burger, Flight Restaurant, Toss Pizza, Noir, and Full Tilt Brewing.
“Over 150 community members were engaged in submitting design ideas and selecting the final design for the mural,” said Marie McSweeney Anderson, assistant director of the York Road Initiative. “Artist Graham Coreil-Allen chose specific symbols to include in the crosswalk such as the carrot to represent the Farmers’ Market and West African adinkra symbols to remind us of unity. Giant bird tracks are an allusion to the Bmore Birds murals found along the York Road corridor from Northern Parkway to 43rd Street. This new crosswalk mural is bright, unified, and inclusive, just like our community.”
Farmers’ Market Features
This year’s market will continue to feature a pre-order system. Staff members at the market will wear masks, and socially distanced protocols will remain in place this season. Market selections include fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, cold crabs and seafood, baked goods, and hot Mexican food, including tacos and burritos. New vendors this year include the Family Farm, a small family-owned and operated farm; Kona Ice shaved ice; and Lemontopia Baltimore, a Black, youth-owned business from Baltimore City.
“The mission of the Govanstowne Farmers’ Market is to provide access to fresh produce, building community, and supporting local business,” said McSweeney Anderson. “Our family-owned and operated farms and small businesses are ready and excited to serve customers this season. We have experienced a tough year with a lot of losses in the business community. We can celebrate the resiliency of our small businesses by supporting and buying local whenever we can.”
For more information and details on placing pre-orders, visit www.govansmarket.org and follow the Govanstowne Farmers Market’s Facebook page and Instagram @govansmarket. Questions from customers, vendors, and prospective vendors should be directed to govansmarket@gmail.com.
Pictured above include York Road Initiative and community volunteers painting final touches on the crosswalk art installation along York Road.