Celebrate National Trails Day
There’s something fun and adventuresome for all ages on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2, from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, our Friends groups and partners. Participate in one, or schedule your day for all!
Tasha’s Walk: A Midnight Hike
At the Rawlings Conservatory, sponsored by Friends of Druid Hill Park and BCRP.
Time: 11 p.m., June 1-1 a.m., June 2
Fee: $3 donation suggested. All proceeds benefit Tasha's Memorial Fund committed to building Meditation Gardens in public parks.
Details: A project of the late Tasha Kniep of BCRP, we decided the event should carry on because she rightly believed Druid Hill Park owned a special aura at night. She’s right. Hike the “Back Hills” on this guided tour of the Jones Falls Trail that runs through the park, as well as the old roads along the back side of the Maryland Zoo.
Contact: For more info or to pre-register, e-mail friendsofdruidhillpark@gmail.com, call 443-469-8274, or visit www.friendsofdruidhillpark.org.
Guided Bird Walk
On the Windsor Hills Conservation Trail, sponsored by the Windsor Hills Conservation Trail Committee of Windsor Hills Neighbors and members of the Baltimore Bird Club.
Time: 8:30—10 a.m. on the Windsor Hills Conservation Trail
Details: Meet at the trail head at the corner of Clifton and Fairfax roads and enjoy a leisurely guided walk watching birds along the Gwynns Falls Trail. Excellent area for spotting woodpeckers, Acadian Flycatchers, Cooper’s Hawk, Louisiana Waterthrush and more. This walk has some uneven and steep surfaces and may not be appropriate for small kids.
Contact: Paul and Ellise Kreiss at ekreiss@toadmail.com or call 410-367-8194. Registration recommended.
Hike Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
Meet at the Eagle Drive/Windsor Mill Road parking lot, sponsored by the Mountain Club of Maryland.
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Fee: $2
Details: Enjoy a guided 6- to 8-mile hike into rugged trails and along stream valleys in Baltimore’s beautiful woodland park. Discover historic sites, natural vistas and wonderful nature. Hiking experience required.
Contact: For information and required pre-registration, e-mail gfarrant@yahoo.com or call 410-566-2101.
Herring Run Bug Hunt Hike
At the Hall Springs area of Herring Run Park, sponsored by BCRP.
Time: 9 a.m. – 11a.m.
Fee: FREE
Details: Children ages 4-7 are encouraged to join the Recreation and Parks staff on a hike through Herring Run Park’s natural surface trails. We will be rolling logs and searching for creepy crawlies. Come dressed to play in the woods. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact: For more info or to pre-register, e-mail molly.gallant@baltimorecity.gov or call 443-984-4058
Notable and Historic Tree Bus Tour
Depart from Cylburn Arboretum, sponsored by the Cylburn Arboretum Association.
Time: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Fee: $22, includes box lunch and bus.
Details: Truly awesome! Don’t miss this great history tour of Baltimore's famous and champion trees—from Frederick Douglas's English Elm to Al Capone's Weeping Willow—with BCRP City Arborist Erik Dihle and other City tree experts. Visit Patterson, Gwynns Falls, Druid Hill and other park sites and locations—home of many famous and notable Baltimore trees.
Contact: Reservation required. To make a reservation or more info, info@cylburnassociation.org or call 410-367-2217.
Explore Herring Run
Meet at Herring Run Parks, 4700 Parkside Dr., Baltimore-21206, sponsored by Parks & People and Friends of Herring Run Park.
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Details: Explore Herring Run with a trail-hike, pirate treasure hunt filled with riddles, costumed volunteers, treasure chests and eye patches! ARGHH! There will also be a nature picture scavenger hunt (bring your own camera), free healthy food, games and sports, and t-shirts for the first 100 to arrive!
Contact: E-mail michael.dorsey@parksandpeople.org or call 410-448-5663, ext. 124.
2-Mile History Walk
Explore Historic Leakin Park on a guided history stroll.
Time: 10 a.m.—noon.
Details: Led by historian Ed Orser, president of the Friends of Maryland Olmsted Parks and Landscapes, this walk-and-talk tour leaves from Winans Meadow in Leakin Park and explores the fascinating and relatively unknown history and vistas of the 1,200-acre park. You’ll be amazed! Bring your camera. Leaves from 4500 Franklintown Rd., Baltimore-21229.
Contact: For more information and suggested registration, call Mr. Orser at 410-566-2230. No makeup date for rain.
Memorial Bike Ride
A 14-mile ride from the I-70 Park and Ride to the Inner Harbor, sponsored by the Gwynns Falls Trail Council in memory of Bill Eberhart and Bob Moore.
Time: 10 a.m.
Details: Enjoy a one-way guided tour of the Gwynns Falls Trail through Gwynns Falls/ Leakin Park and Carroll Park along bike lanes to Federal Hill. Bring your own lunch or buy and enjoy on Federal Hill with a great view of the Inner Harbor. Return to I-70 Park and Ride on your own. Free map provided.
Contact: For more information and suggested registration, e-mail greghinch@aol.com or call 410-558-2358.
Hike in Druid Hill Park
Meet in front of the Rawlings Conservatory, sponsored by Friends of Druid Hill Park.
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Details: A guided 6-mile loop along the Jones Falls Trail that runs through Druid Hill Park, as well as the old roads along the back side of the Maryland Zoo. Come dressed for the weather and bring water and/or snacks.
Contact: For more info or to pre-register, e-mail friendsofdruidhillpark@gmail.com, call 443-469-8274, or visit www.friendsofdruidhillpark.org.
Nature Art in the Park
Carrie Murray Nature Center, 1901 Ridgetop Rd., Baltimore—21207, sponsored by Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park.
Time: Noon-3 p.m.
Details: For all ages, see this amazing display as regional artists form their craft from natural materials in the forests of Baltimore City parks. Watch the artmaking taking place along trails and meadows between the nature center and Orianda House Manson and take the opportunity to create your own!
Contact: Carrie Murray Nature Center at 410-396-0808, Doug Retzler at 410-598-8409 or visit www.NatureArtinthePark.org.