 | Friends of Gwynns falls leakin park |
Baltimore's state park starts here |
Baltimore has never had a state park — until now. A new city–state partnership could transform Gwynns Falls–Leakin Park into Gwynns Falls State Park, bringing long-overdue investment to one of the East Coast’s largest urban forests. |
But we can't get there without your input. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community priorities so far: 1️⃣ Natural resource restoration 2️⃣ Trail and recreation improvements 3️⃣ Critical maintenance But the conversation isn’t finished. Add your voice to the planning process today: Survey Link |
Fall is upon us and there are a lot of great events to help you explore the park |
9/27Join Patagonia Baltimore And Blue Water Baltimore in a Gwynns Falls CleanupBefore the cleanup they'll start with a walk and talk conversation about water testing and all the ways to maintain a healthy waterway. After the cleanup there will be a small gathering to celebrate and connect with each other. IMPORTANT: Registration is required for each attendee. |
|
 |
9/28Join FOGFLP for a 3 mile hike through the paw paw groves of Gwynns Falls-Leakin ParkWe'll meet at Winans Meadow, and after a sweet treat we'll travel along the Ravine and Franklintown trails before descending down the Gwynns Falls trail. Wear sturdy shoes and bring your filled water bottle |
|
|
10/440 West Walkathon -help neighbors in need while exploring Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park!40 West is an assistance and referral center located on Edmondson Avenue in West Baltimore. Walk with us, or sponsor a walker on Saturday, 10/4/2025 from 10am to 12 pm (rain date 10/11) |
|
|
10/25Nature therapy walkTake a walk with BCRP's certified nature therapy guide. Nature therapy supports healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. The walk is no longer than 1/4 mile in length on gentle terrain. Ages 13+ accompanied by an adult. Event info is here |
|
|
10/25Mushroom City Arts Festival 2025
Celebrate and learn about fungi -- one of the most important groups of organisms on the planet.
|  |
|
| Second SundaysJoin us the second Sunday of each month, April through November, for family fun! Grab your picnic basket and come to 1920 Eagle Drive, 21207 for train rides, games, nature exhibits, historic mansion tours, and more! |
|
FoGFLP and a small team of local forest conservationists have collaborated on a video that highlights what is so special about the park, and why it needs to be protected. The video is dedicated to the memories of Antonio Carpenter and Heide Grundmann, whose advocacy and love for Gwynns Falls Leakin Park will always inspire us. |
| STATE PARK PLANNING MOVES FORWARDThe end of the year brought a milestone for the park: the first meeting of the state-city park Stakeholder Advisory Committee. House Bill 1358 called for creating this committee, convening focus groups, and studying park conditions and the costs of creating a state park. FOGFLP Executive Director Mike Cross-Barnet and several FOGFLP members are on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee. The work that the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and the focus groups do this year will lead to recommendations about the future state park. HB 1358 requires a report to the Maryland General Assembly no later than December 1, 2025. Focus groups, will gather feedback on seven areas identified in the legislation: capital improvements; critical maintenance; natural resource management/restoration; historic site restoration; outdoor recreation amenities; additional park staff, equipment & supplies; law enforcement and public safety. If you're interested in participating in a focus group,
2024 closed out with a milestone for Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park: the first meeting of the state-city park Stakeholder Advisory Committee. House Bill 1358 called for establishing this committee, convening focus groups, and studying park conditions and the costs of creating a state park. FOGFLP President Erica Lewis and several FOGFLP members are on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee. This year, the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and the focus groups will come up with recommendations about the future state park. HB 1358 requires a report to the Maryland General Assembly no later than December 1, 2025. There is an opportunity for members of the public to take part in the focus groups. These groups will gather feedback on the seven areas identified in the legislation: capital improvements; critical maintenance; natural resource management/restoration; historic site restoration; enhanced outdoor recreation amenities; adding park staff, equipment and supplies; law enforcement and public safety. Watch this space for information on how you can get involved. |
Upcoming Events
|
GOVERNOR MOORE SIGNS BILL ADVANCING EFFORT FOR STATE-CITY PARTNERSHIP AT GWYNNS FALLS/LEAKIN PARK!
On Thursday, May 16th, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation that sets a course for the establishment of Baltimore City’s first state park – a potentially transformative move for West Baltimore and beyond.
House Bill 1358, which goes into effect on June 1, calls for a report to the Maryland General Assembly next year spelling out the requirements for creating a “state-city partnership park” in West Baltimore’s Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. The bill requires the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks to create a stakeholder advisory committee and convene focus groups of local residents, ensuring a vital role for the community in determining the future of the park. Read our press release here (pdf format).
Nature Art In the ParkGwynns Falls Leakin Park becomes an art gallery! Every year, sculptures made entirely from natural objects-- many of which were found in the park-- are installed on the trails between the Crimea estate and the Carrie Murray Nature Center. A great place to start is just South of the Carrie Murray Nature Center. Watch their Facebook page for opening and closing events, as well as occasional guided tours. |
EcologySituated in the eastern division of the Piedmont, the Park has steep gradients with rapids, falls, and abrupt valley walls rising from the Gwynns Falls and Dead Run stream valleys. With a 300-foot difference in elevation from the stream valleys to the ridge tops, the Park's highest elevation is 403 feet above sea level. This ecology has meant lush forests, rushing streams, abundant wildlife for Gwynns Falls Leakin Park. Find out more about, and contribute to our understanding of the ecology of the Park... READ MORE | History
Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park-one contiguous parkland with two names--comprises one of the largest woodland parks in an eastern United States city. Consisting of over 1000 acres, this is by far Baltimore's most extensive park, stretching from the western city line along the valley of the Gwynns Falls and its tributaries all the way to Wilkens Avenue.
 |  RecreationThere's no shortage of things to do in Gwynns Falls Leakin Park! For starters there are bike trails, hiking trails, playing fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and even miniature train rides. Not to mention a world class outdoor classroom and adventure center as well as the area's premier avian rescue facility and nature center. See the full list of what you can do in the park... |
On the western edge of Baltimore, right where Interstate 70 terminates.
| Major areas/entrances (links to Google maps)
|
Where is the park?