Patterson Park

Patterson Park

27 South Patterson Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 276-3676 (Friends of Patterson Park)

Patterson Park is a large, 137-acre city-owned park located in a residential neighborhood in east Baltimore, just a short distance from the Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point. The park is the heart of the neighborhood and includes open fields of grass with scattered large trees, paved walkways, historic battle sites, a lake, playgrounds, athletic fields, a swimming pool, an ice rink, a city farm garden, a dog park, and many other amenities. The open lawn areas speckled with trees attract “edge” species not usually found in urban and suburban areas.

The park is notable for its man-made Boat Lake, which provides an environment rarely found in urban areas, thus attracting numerous species of water birds. Dating from the Civil War era, the 2.5-acre lake was dredged and renovated in 2003 to include wetlands planting and environmental education signage. Flat paved pathways make for easy birding around the lake and the entire park.

Another notable feature of the park is the presence of the Baltimore Program of Audubon Mid-Atlantic (formerly the Patterson Park Audubon Center), whose office is across the street and which offers nature programming and events throughout the City of Baltimore.

Patterson Park is a great place for families and would combine well with a visit to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine or the National Aquarium. As an added benefit, there are many outstanding restaurants in Fell’s Point and the Inner Harbor.

Birdlife:

Over 220 species of birds have been reported on eBird from Patterson Park. A diversity of songbirds make up the majority of the population, including less common species such as Baltimore Oriole, House Wren, and Wood Thrush. The park is notable for hosting a breeding population of Wood Ducks at the Boat Lake. Wintering birds on the lake include American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, and Ring-necked Duck, as well as Pied-Billed Grebe and American Coot.

Summer brings an assortment of herons, egrets, swallows, and flycatchers. Rarer species that have been sighted include American Woodcock, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Least Bittern, Brown Creeper, Swamp Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Seaside Sparrow. The park has a well-deserved reputation as a spring and fall migrant trap, when some of the less common warblers, vireos, and flycatchers can be found.

Wheelchair Access:

The paved walkways in the park are wheelchair-accessible.

Pet Policy:

Dogs must be kept on a leash, no longer than 6 feet, and you must clean up after your pet.

Special Features:

• Programming at the park is supported by the Friends of Patterson Park.
• The park hosts several festivals and large-scale events during the warm months; check the Friends of Patterson Park website for schedules.
• The Baltimore Program of Audubon Mid-Atlantic (formerly the Patterson Park Audubon Center), whose business office is located across the street at 2901 E. Baltimore Street, offers bird walks and numerous environmental education programs in the City of Baltimore.
• One of the Audubon Mid-Atlantic keynote programs is the Baltimore Birding Weekend and a Winter Waterfowl Special.

Local MOS Chapter:

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.

Lights Out Baltimore is a project of the Baltimore Bird Club and the Maryland Ornithological Society that works toward making Baltimore safe for migratory birds by advocating for turning out decorative nighttime lighting in the city during peak migration seasons, as well as advocating for bird-safe building design that makes glass and windows visible to birds. Volunteers are needed to scout for birds killed or injured by hitting buildings during migration. See the Lights Out Baltimore website for ways you can help.

For a whimsical look at birding activities in Baltimore, check out the graphic arts booklet, “Birdland,” created by local artist and Baltimore Bird Club member Book Karnjanakit.

Parking:

On-street parking around the perimeter of the park. Parking is permitted on all streets bordering the park; vehicles are not allowed within the park.

• The main park is bordered by East Baltimore Street, Eastern Avenue, South Patterson Park Avenue, and South Linwood Avenue. There is a main pedestrian entrance at each corner.
• The Patterson Park extension lies to the east of the main park, and is bordered by East Pratt Street, South Ellwood Avenue, and Eastern Avenue.
• It’s usually easy to find a parking spot.
• Be sure to lock your car and stow valuables out of sight.

Directions:

From the North: Take I-83 Southbound (turns into President Street) to Pratt Street. Make a left onto Pratt Street and continue for 1 mile to South Patterson Park Avenue, the Park’s eastern boundary. OR take I-95 Southbound towards Baltimore City. Take Exit 59, Eastern Avenue and bear right off the ramp (west) towards Highlandtown. Continue on Eastern Avenue for 2.5 miles – the park will be on the right.

From the South: From I-95 Northbound, take I-295 toward Baltimore. After passing the Ravens’ Stadium and Camden Yards, turn right onto Pratt Street. Follow for 2 miles until the street dead ends at the Park at South Patterson Park Avenue.

Alternate route from the South: Follow I-395 into Downtown Baltimore. Turn right onto Pratt Street. Follow Pratt for 2 miles until the street dead ends at the Park at South Patterson Park Avenue.

By Bus:  The park is easily reached by local buses.

Nearby Sites:

Baltimore City: Cylburn Arboretum ■ Druid Hill Park ■ Fort McHenry National Monument ■ Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center

Baltimore County: Cromwell Valley Park ■ Fort Howard Park ■ Gunpowder Falls State Park – Hammerman Area & Dundee Creek Marina ■ Hart-Miller Island State Park ■ Holt Park ■ Irvine Nature Center ■ Lake Roland ■ Liberty Reservoir – Baltimore County ■ Loch Raven Reservoir ■ Marshy Point Nature Center ■ Milford Mill aka Villa Nova Park ■ North Point State Park ■ Northern Central Rail Trail (NCRT) ■ Oregon Ridge Park ■ Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area

Habitats:

HedgerowsUpland Deciduous Forests Garden or ArboretumLawn, Ballfields, Golf CourseUrban or Small Town Landscape Freshwater Pond, Lake, or Reservoir

Features:

Ball Fields or Other SportsBeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)FishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHistorical FeaturesNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsNature Education ProgramsPets AllowedPicnic AreaPlaygroundSwimmingWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

Community and Urban ParksGardens & ArboretaNature Centers