Holt Park

Holt Park

34 Elmont Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206
(410) 887-5307

Holt Park is located in the Overlea Fullerton Community, east of the City of Baltimore and just inside the Baltimore Beltway, near the junction with I-95.  Once a private residence and retreat, the property was donated to Baltimore County by Lillian McCormick Holt, a religious educator and amateur painter, upon her death in 1975.  She dedicated its use to nature appreciation, quiet contemplation, and art.

This small 13-acre park offers deciduous woodland, wetlands and meadows, gardens, an arboretum, and a lily pond, with a network of nature trails, an outdoor amphitheater with a gazebo, several log houses, and a labyrinth with a meditation garden path. There is also an indoor art and nature center, which offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year.  It’s a great place where local residents and visitors can enjoy a patch of nature.

Birdlife:

Over 140 bird species have been reported on eBird from this small park. A rich diversity of bird life can be found throughout the year. With over 25 species of warblers, spring and fall migrations are an especially popular time to bird this park. Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks can be found throughout the year;  woodpeckers are also resident year-round. Flycatchers and vireos are present in the warm months. Sparrows can be found from October through April, and include Chipping, Field, Fox, White-crowned, White-throated, Savannah, Song, Lincoln’s, and Swamp. along with Dark-eyed Junco and Eastern Towhee.

Parking:

Small paved parking area adjacent to the park.

Special Features:

The park has a Nature Cabin with activities and exhibits for children and multiple craft programs held through out the year. Call to inquire or see the calendar of events at http://www.overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark. ◾ The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Baltimore Bird Club. The Baltimore Bird Club is the founding chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and remains an important hub of birding activity in the state. The club offers monthly meetings with informative presentations and a full schedule of field trips and bird walks, all free and open to the public.

Directions:

From the Baltimore Beltway/I-695, take Exit 32, US Route 1/Belair Road South. Travel 1.5 miles and turn left onto Kenwood Avenue. In 0.6 miles, turn right onto Elmont Avenue. In 0.2 miles, Elmont Road dead ends at the park. The parking lot is on the left.

By Bus: Take the #55 bus (runs from Towson to Franklin Square via Golden Ring) to the stop at Kenwood and Elinor Avenue. Walk northwest along Kenwood Avenue. Turn left on Elmont Avenue. Follow Elmont and park entrance will be on the left. Walk time from bus stop: about 9 minutes (0.4 mile).

Nearby Sites:

Patterson Park; Lake Roland; Cylburn Arboretum; Druid Hill Park; Marshy Point Nature Center; Gunpowder Falls State Park – Hammerman Area and Dundee Creek Marina; North Point State Park; Fort Howard Park; Cromwell Valley Park; Loch Raven Reservoir; Hart-Miller Island State Park.

Habitats:

Upland Deciduous Garden or ArboretumLawn, Ballfields, Golf CourseSuburban Neighborhood Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Freshwater Pond, Lake, or Reservoir

Features:

BeginnersFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsHistorical FeaturesNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsNature Education ProgramsParkingPets AllowedPlaygroundRestroomsVisitor Center, Interpretive Displays, ExhibitsWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

County Parks