Krimgold Park

Krimgold Park

5355 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797
410-386-2103 or e-mail ccrec@carrollcountymd.gov

Krimgold Park, located in Woodbine, is a favorite destination of local birders. The park is managed by the Carroll County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Friends of Krimgold Park. The park’s 139 acres has varied habitat with fields, open space, and deciduous woodlands as well as four manmade ponds; there is easy access on foot across the dams of all four ponds. The ponds are fed by Buckthorn Run, a tributary of Piney Run. The park lies in the headwaters of the Patapsco River watershed.

There is a paved walking trail of 1.1 miles and a 2-mile perimeter footpath is planned for the future, as well as trails around the ponds.

Other visitor activities and amenities include fishing (including tournaments), playgrounds, ball fields, park benches, picnic tables under a pavilion, and comfort stations (one fixed and two portable). The amenities make the park a good destination for families with small children or for people who use a walker or wheelchair.

The park’s land was previously a private farm owned by the Krimgold family. The farm was sold to Carroll County in the late 1990s and but remained idle for years as the County developed and implemented a park design, which included significant tree plantings. Krimgold Park officially opened in December 2015.

Birdlife:

Over 160 bird species have been reported on the Krimgold Park eBird hotspot, including permanent residents and migratory birds. There may be changes in bird species, including sparrows and icterids, as the field areas of the park are developed for sports, and habitat management practices elsewhere in the park are changed.

On or near the ponds, birds that often have been found include Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Ringed-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers, Great Blue and Green Herons, Ospreys, and Belted Kingfishers.

Many raptors have been seen around the park, including Osprey, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks and American Kestrel. Infrequently, Golden Eagle, Northern Harriers, and Broad-winged Hawks are seen, as are Great-horned and Barred Owls.

Woodpeckers include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers.

Along the edges of the woods, flycatchers include Eastern Wood-Pewee; Eastern Phoebe; Acadian, Alder (during migration) and Willow Flycatchers; and Eastern Kingbirds. Killdeer and Horned Lark have nested here.

Several species of vireos use the park, namely White-eyed, Red-eyed, Yellow-throated, Blue-headed (during migration), and Warbling Vireos.

Chimney Swifts, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and Purple Martins frequent the park. Occasionally, Northern Rough-winged Swallows are seen.

All three species of local mimids (Northern Mockingbird, Gray Catbird, and Brown Thrasher) can be seen and heard.

Easy to find thrushes include Eastern Bluebirds (breeding), Wood Thrushes (breeding), American Robins (breeding), and Hermit Thrushes (winter), while Swainson’s or Gray-cheeked Thrushes may occur during migration.

Breeding sparrow species have included Eastern Towhee, Grasshopper, Chipping, Field, and Song. Wintering or migratory sparrows include Dark-eyed Junco, Fox, and White-crowned, White-throated Sparrows, Vesper (rare in spring), Savannah, Lincoln’s (rare in fall), and Swamp.

Also in the field areas, especially those with berries flanking wooded areas, Eastern Meadowlarks, Orchard Orioles, Baltimore Orioles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Yellow-breasted Chats may be found.

Breeding season warblers include Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, and possibly Yellow Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler. During spring and fall migration, additional warblers may be found, including Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, Hooded, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue, Palm, Pine, Yellow-rumped, Prairie, Black-throated Green, and Canada.

Wheelchair Access:

The paved walking trail is wheelchair accessible.

Pet Policy:

Pets are permitted on a leash; be prepared to clean up after your pet.

Special Features:

The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Carroll County Bird Club, offering field trips and meetings with informative programs, all free and open to the public.

Multimedia:

Carroll County has posted a brief YouTube video detailed the county’s efforts to manage a beaver population at Krimgold Park. The video will give you some idea of the habitat around the ponds.

Parking:

Paved and gravel lots are located along the park entry road.

Directions:

From local points north, including Eldersburg or Libertytown: From MD Route 26, head south on MD Route 94/Woodbine Road. Go approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left into Krimgold Park.

From Frederick and points west: From I-70 eastbound, take exit 73 for MD Route 94/Woodbine Road northbound toward Woodbine. Continue north on Woodbine Road through the traffic circle. Continue north for approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right into Krimgold Park.

From Baltimore or points east and north on I-95: Use your favorite route to reach the Baltimore Beltway. From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take Exit 16A to merge onto I-70 westbound. From I-70, take exit 73 for MD Route 94/Woodbine Road northbound toward Woodbine. Continue north on Woodbine Road through the traffic circle. Continue north for approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right into Krimgold Park.

From the Eastern Shore: Use US Route 50 to cross on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and continue west on US Route 50. At Annapolis, use Exit 21 to head north on I-97 toward Baltimore. Then take Exit 17A for the Inner Loop of the Baltimore Beltway toward Towson. Then take Exit 16A to merge onto I-70 westbound. From there, follow directions as given for Baltimore, above.

From southern MD or Washington, DC: Use your favorite route to reach the DC Beltway. From the DC Beltway (I-495), take Exit 22A for the Baltimore-Washington Parkway northbound. In 11 miles, exit the parkway (exits are not numbered) onto MD Route 32 westbound toward Columbia. In 21 miles, turn left to merge onto Route 70 westbound. In 6.5 miles, take Exit 16A to merge onto I-70 westbound. From I-70, take exit 73 for MD Route 94/Woodbine Road northbound toward Woodbine. Continue north on Woodbine Road through the traffic circle. Continue north for approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right into Krimgold Park.

Nearby Sites:

Carroll County: Avondale Wildlife Management Area ◾ Hashawha Environmental Center / Bear Branch Nature Center ◾  Liberty Reservoir Cooperative Wildlife Management Area – Bollinger Mill Road ◾ Morgan Run Natural Environmental Area ◾ Patapsco Valley State Park – McKeldin Area ◾ Piney Run Park & Nature Center ◾ Wakefield Valley Park

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Lawn, Ballfields, Golf Course Agricultural Crop Fields or Fallow FieldsHay Meadows, Pasture, Grass FieldOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Freshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirRivers & Streams

Features and Amenities:

Ball Fields or Other SportsBeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)FishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaPlaygroundRestroomsWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

County Parks