For more than 40 years, Friends of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park has served as the volunteer caretaker, advocate, and defender of Baltimore's largest park.

Now we're working toward something bigger.

HB959, introduced in the 2026 Maryland legislative session by Delegate Malcolm Ruff, would establish Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park as Baltimore's first state park — a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) that would bring dedicated staffing, long-term investment, and the stewardship this park has always deserved.

This is the story of how we got here.

Make it a State Park

Why This Park

Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park spans more than 1,200 acres on the western edge of Baltimore City. One of the largest urban old-growth forests on the East Coast, it borders 18 urban neighborhoods. It offers more than 15 miles of maintained trails, historic landmarks, wildlife habitat for over 200 bird species, and free and low-cost programming through the Carrie Murray Nature Center.

It's also larger than three Maryland State Parks--Assateague, Sandy Point, and Rock State Park - combined.

For decades, Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park has suffered from inconsistent maintenance, inadequate staffing, and a safety reputation that has kept many residents away. That reputation does not reflect the park's reality — but it does reflect what happens when a 1,200-acre urban wilderness is asked to thrive without the resources it needs.

A state park designation changes that. 

Cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City all have state parks within their borders. Baltimore does not — yet

The Vision

A Gwynns Falls State Park will:

• Provide dedicated park rangers and maintenance staff for the first time
• Fund a comprehensive master plan for long-term, community-informed improvements
• Restore trails, historic sites, signage, and facilities to the standard this park deserves
• Expand programming for youth, families, and diverse communities
• Drive economic development in the neighborhoods that surround the park
• Make Baltimore — one of only two Maryland jurisdictions without a state park — whole

"Great cities and great states have great parks. Becoming a state park would not only strengthen stewardship and security, but it will also spur community and economic development in the neighborhoods surrounding the park across Baltimore City and most importantly in the state of Maryland."

— Pickett Slater Harrington, Executive Director, Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park

The Timeline

2024 — The Foundation 

In the 2024 Maryland legislative session, Delegate Malcolm Ruff introduced House Bill 1358, requiring the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks to study the establishment of Gwynns Falls as a partnership state park. The Baltimore City House Delegation voted the bill favorable unanimously. The Nature Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, community members, and dozens of advocates testified in support. Governor Wes Moore signed the bill into law.

December 2024 — The Work Begins

Maryland DNR convened the Gwynns Falls State Park Stakeholder Advisory Committee — including FOGFLP, community members, Delegate Malcolm Ruff, and representatives from organizations including the Audubon Society and Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks hosted the first committee meeting at Cahill Recreation Center.

March 2025 — Building the Blueprint

DNR and BCRP convened a virtual committee meeting featuring updates from Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz,  Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw, and BCRP Director Reginald Moore, who presented an overview of the park's current conditions and needs.

May 2025 — The Community Speaks 

BCRP and DNR held two public focus group sessions to gather community input on seven priority areas: capital improvements, critical maintenance, natural resource management, historic site restoration, outdoor recreation and trail improvements, staffing and equipment, and law enforcement and public safety. Over 400 community members participated through focus groups and surveys.

September 2025 — On the Ground  

DNR and BCRP hosted a field trip in the park for Advisory Committee members, state delegates from Maryland District 41, and city employees. Committee members saw firsthand what resources the park needs — and what it's capable of becoming.

State Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw distributed an initial draft of the report due to the legislature that was coauthored by The Office of Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Park, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Many Advisory Committee members have concerns with the report and have returned comments.

December 2025 — Final Report Delivered to the Legislature

The Office of Mayor Brandon Scott, BCRP, and DNR submitted their official Gwynns Falls State Park Report  to the Maryland General Assembly — the culmination of 18 months of community engagement, focus groups, field work, and planning. The report outlined priority needs, funding requirements, and a framework for partnership park governance.

February 2026 — Advocacy Day

On February 25, FOGFLP Executive Director Pickett Slater Harrington led a delegation of advocates to Annapolis to testify before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB959 — the bill that would make Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park Baltimore's first state park. 

Delegate Malcolm Ruff, Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz, Baltimore City's director of government relations, FOGFLP Board President Erica Lewis, and representatives from Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound, Hope Harbor Community Development Corporation, and the Forest Park Action Council all testified in support.

"The people of Baltimore need us to pass this bill." — Delegate Malcolm Ruff, District 41

A Growing Coalition

Our movement is growing.

Friends of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park · Audubon Mid-Atlantic · Chesapeake Bay Foundation · The Nature Conservancy · Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School · Hope Harbor Community Development Corporation · Forest Park Action Council · Hunting Ridge Community Association · Baltimore City · Maryland DNR

What You Can Do  

HB959 is before the Maryland General Assembly now. The committee that heard testimony on February 25 needs to hear from the public.

"The community has stated loud and clear that they want a partnership park." — Gale Fletcher, Hunting Ridge Community Association, Stakeholder Advisory Committee member

Make it a State Park

Stay Informed

Join our email list and stay up-to-date on the state park process 

We send emails approximately once a month covering news and events in the park.

(We are a nonprofit with expenses, so we will send a few emails a year asking for donations. Feel free to ignore and delete those as needed.)