Baltimore You are Marvelous: Parks

Tulips and Togetherness at Sherwood Gardens

Last year, I visited Guilford's Sherwood Gardens a week too early to capture the tulips in bloom, and I promised myself I'd time my visit better this year. Today's visit did not disappoint! The only thing I liked better than the tulips was seeing so many people enjoying the day with the simplest of pleasures ... spending time with friends and family. I did not see a single cell phone or mobile device.

Instead, I saw people park their bikes and have a picnic ...

... climb trees ...

... play a friendly game ...

... sit and watch the world go by ...

Walk their canine companions and, in the case of the woman here, literally stop to smell the flowers ...

... go for a stroll ... kick a ball ...

... or just spend some quality time together.

Goodnight from Sherwood Gardens!

Patterson Park: Who Needs a Backyard?

Baltimore residents are fortunate to have a variety of great urban parks at their doorstep (or at least close to home). Dubbed "Baltimore's Best Backyard," the beloved 137-acre Patterson Park offers beautiful, quiet walking paths ...

Popular sports fields, where the Baltimore Sports and Social Club hosts many of its flag football and softball games ...

The Boat Lake (with the photogenic Greek Orthodox Church in the background) ...

And great views of the city skyline.

Formally established as a park in 1853, Patterson Park has many beautiful features, such as this fountain located at one of the entrances to the park from Butcher's Hill.

The park is always busy with organized sports. In addition to the Baltimore Sports and Social Club, the Kickball League of Baltimore, Baltimore Road Runners Club, Ecuadoran Volleyball, Latino Baseball League, and the Maryland Major Soccer League all make good use of the park's athletic facilities. Children can take advantage of soccer and tennis clinics, a swim team, and basketball, and the ice skating rink is a special treat.

Of course, people often take advantage of the park's many paths for running, bicycling, walking, and skateboarding.

Despite the park's popularity, it is still very easy to find solitude. This woman is having a quiet lunch within the children's play area.

From the iconic Patterson Park Pagoda, one can see all the way to the Key Bridge.

A very popular spot for dogs and the people who love them, Patterson Park has a dog park and is a fitting setting for BARCstoberfest, an annual event that benefits homeless animals. Barcstoberfest features doggie talent and costume contests, a 5K, vendors selling everything your dog could possibly need, and displays from the many admirable organizations that take care of and protect all different types of pooches.

A good friend of mine took this photo of her boys enjoying the boat lake and is letting me share it with you (thanks Diana!) Stay tuned for her special Celebrity Blog Post on Patterson Park for Kids. I hope she will mention the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival, one of Baltimore's most anticipated annual events which took place last night. Unfortunately, I had other plans and couldn't attend, so I don't have any pictures of it. Trust me, it is a beautiful spectacle.

I am sure these Patterson Park neighbors enjoyed the parade from the comfort of their front porch overlooking the park.

For more on Patterson Park, visit the Friends of Patterson Park.

An Homage to Fort McHenry

Everyone knows that Fort McHenry is the site of the battle during the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the National Anthem. Fewer people realize that Fort McHenry is an absolute gem of a park - peaceful, beautiful, accessible, and surrounded on three sides by water. Residents from all parts of the City treasure this park, a popular spot for bicycling, running, walking, and picnicking.

Fort McHenry encourages people to just sit still and appreciate life and each other.


Residents bring their frisbees, bicycles, chairs, and snacks, or just a blanket and some daydreams, and make an afternoon or day of it at the park.

Fort McHenry also attracts American History buffs, naturally.

Visitors to Fort McHenry can arrive on foot, by bicycle, in a car, on an MTA bus or the Charm City Circulator's Banner Route, or via the Baltimore Water Taxi (April through September).

Without getting too personal - after all, this blog really is about Baltimore and not about me - I would like to share that my husband and I got engaged here. Happy memories!

The Gwynns Falls Trail in Fall

Photos Courtesy of Terrance Hancock

The Gwynns Falls Trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to bicycle, walk, or run through some of the most scenic parts of west and southwest Baltimore. Though the 15-mile trail eventually wends its way into the more developed parts of Baltimore, a significant portion of it has a very rural, quiet flavor.

The trail runs through the Gwynns Falls park. Together, the Gwynns Falls Park and the adjacent Leakin Park boast 1,200 acres of parkland and 10 miles of hiking trails.

Just Another Beautiful Saturday in Latrobe Park

Locust Point's Latrobe Park overflows with activity on weekend mornings. From one spot, I could see kids enjoying the playground ...


Canines taking advantage of the dog run ...


Guys shooting hoops ...


Kids playing soccer ... Friends getting in a game of tennis ...

And parents escorting their children home from dance class.

This is another view from Latrobe Park looking out toward Fort Avenue. I just thought it was pretty so decided to share.

Mount Vernon Park

Outdoor exercise classes seem to be gaining traction all over town, including the morning yoga class in the shadow of Baltimore's Washington Monument.

Lake Montebello

Residents love walking, biking, and running around Lake Montebello, a gem in Northeast Baltimore. Easy access to great parks is a perk of living in Baltimore.