PROJECT M 2006 During the Summer of 2006, a small group of designers drove from the rural coast of Maine to the urban center of East Baltimore with one goal...to make a positive and significant impact on a blighted community.What they discovered when they arrived, was that they were in way over their heads. The social and political machines had been in motion long before they stepped into town and the scale of the problems were staggering. There seemed to be no hope and little they could do as designers to help a city stricken with such alarming poverty and hopelessness.However, they learned of several efforts by people who truly love the community of East Baltimore and have dedicated their lives to improving it. These heros have inspired hope and enriched the lives of people that many have forgotten.One of the symbols of this hope was a field of grass, lined with daisies and guarded by hand painted totem poles. The word love was spelled out with flowers, designed so that the news helicopters would photograph it from the air. What once was a haven for drug dealers and vandals, was now the pride and joy of a community. This green space transformed vacant lots and back alleys into a living part of the neighborhood that lifted the spirit of the community.Now, these designers want to continue the efforts started from within, by asking for help from abroad. Most people take things like yards, parks, and gardens for granted, but the social and psychological impact of green space is very real. With your help, the designers of Project M 2006 hope to fund the creation of another green space in East Baltimore and inspire others to proceed and be bold.PROJECT M 2006John Bielenberg, Bernard Canniffe, Erik Cox, Christian Helms, Brian W. Jones, Bruce Lindsey, Dana Malas, Jim McNulty, Victor John Penner, Jillian Perez, Anne Marie Purdy, David Stychno, Charlotte Sullivan, Kodiak Starr and Mike WeikertFor more information about Project MFor more information about Parks & People