From Country Estates To Municipal Parks: How Baltimore Created a First Class Public Park System

William Patterson donated five acres of land in 1827 for Baltimore’s first public park and from there the city has created a first-class network of parks that cover thousands of acres. Family estates that at one time ringed Baltimore City, including of the Hopkins, Carroll, Wyman, Rogers, Winans and other families, were converted into promenades, nature walks, ballfields, and swimming pools. Join Baltimore Heritage director Johns Hopkins to learn about Baltimore historic parks and how they have shaped our city.