Baltimore County News
By Michael Schneider, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks
May in Baltimore County’s 220 parks brings special events for moms, a hunt for faeries and elves at Cromwell Valley Park, a Bloomin' Art Fest in Reisterstown, a community carnival in Colgate, campout at Lake Roland, full moon hikes, and Karma Fest. Mother's Day, Memorial Day, any day is a great day in the park.
Tuesdays through June 5
After School: Nature Scouts (reservations required) Lake Roland
Friday, May 4
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Pokémon Late Night Madness Marshy Point Nature Center
Bookwork Story Time Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Ephemeral Wildflower Walk (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Social Dance Therapeutic Recreation
Saturday, May 5
Gardening for Butterflies and Bees (registration required) Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Primitive Technology Weekend Cromwell Valley Park
Watercolor Cityscape (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Native Plant Sale Lake Roland
Yoga in the Park Lake Roland
Workboat Trip to Hart Miller Island (registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Rock On! Painted Rocks (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Sunday, May 6
Primitive Technology Weekend Cromwell Valley Park
Nature Quest Canoe (registration required) Lake Roland
Cattails, The Jack of all Plants Marshy Point Nature Center
Monday, May 7
Pre-K Nature Drop-In: Baby Plants Marshy Point Nature Center
Tuesday, May 8
Baltimore Bird Club Walk Lake Roland
Wednesday, May 9 through Saturday, May 12
Colgate Annual Carnival Colgate Recreation Council
Wednesday, May 9
Natural World of Art: Vase Pendant (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Program (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Thursday, May 10
Dulcimer Workshop (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Shoots and Letter: Snakes Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, May 11
Night Out with Nature: The Maryland Biodiversity Project with Jim Brighton (registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Creative Clay: Silly Bird (concludes May 25 – registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Friday Stoll Lake Roland
Morning Bird Walk (registration appreciated) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Show Choir and Jr. Show Choir Therapeutic Recreation
Saturday, May 12
International Migratory Bird Day Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Discovering Orioles (registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
TALMAR Gardens Mother’s Day Plant Sale Cromwell Valley Park
BUGS! Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Bonfire and Night Hike Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Spring Family Campout (concludes May 13 - registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Mother’s Day Story, Walk and Tea (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
12th Annual Bloomin’ ArtFest Reisterstown Recreation Council
Sunday, May 13
TALMAR Gardens Mother’s Day Plant Sale Cromwell Valley Park
Mother’s Day Tea Cromwell Valley Park
Mother’s Day Bird Walk Lake Roland
Mother’s Day Birdwalk Marshy Point Nature Center
Mother’s Day Canoe Trip (registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Mother’s Day Story, Walk and Tea (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Monday, May 14
Pre-K Nature Drop-In: Rainbow Flowers Marshy Point Nature Center
Nature Book Club – The Tide: The Science and Stories Behind the Greatest Force on Earth by Hugh Aldersey-Williams (registration appreciated) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Tuesday, May 15
Baltimore Bird Club Walk Lake Roland
Speaker Series: “The World of the Dragonfly” by Susan Minor Marshy Point Nature Center
Wednesday, May 16
Natural World of Art: Flowers, Painted with Yarn (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Program (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Amphibian Walk (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Thursday, May 17
Dulcimer Workshop (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Shoots and Letters: Turtles Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, May 18
Spring Campout (continues through May 19 – reservations required) Lake Roland
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Saturday, May 19
Mid-Atlantic Turtles and Tortoises Society Speaker Series Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Wildflower Jelly Making (registration required) Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
What’s Cookin’, Mr. Banneker? Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Master Gardener Plant Sale Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park
Spring Wildflower Walk Cromwell Valley Park
All About Pets Holt Park and Center for the Arts
The Hive and the Honeybee Marshy Point Nature Center
Live Bluegrass and Country Music at Victory Villa Community Center Middle River Recreation Council
Native Plant Swap Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Karma Fest Oregon Ridge Park
Sunday, May 20
Faeries and Elves of the Forest Cromwell Valley Park
Fishing the Dock (registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Karma Fest Oregon Ridge Park
Monday, May 21
Pre-K Nature Drop-In: Honeybees Marshy Point Nature Center
Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council Speaker Series – The View Below: Amazing Sights in Our Everyday Streams. Keith Williams, Executive Director, NorthBay: Author; Underwater Naturalist Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Wednesday, May 23
Natural World of Art: Soda Can Flower (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Program (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Thursday, May 24
Dulcimer Workshop (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Shoots and Letters: What lives under logs? Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, May 25
Late Spring Starry Night Campfire (registration required) Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Full Flower Moon Night Hike Cromwell Valley Park
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Full Planting Moon Canoe Trip (registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Saturday, May 26
Moss Workshop (registration required) Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Oella History Hike (registration required) Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Drop in Gardening Cromwell Valley Park
Girl Scouts Day (registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Estuary Exploration Marshy Point Nature Center
Sunday, May 27
Corn & Dog Roast (registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Bluebirds on the Bay Marshy Point Nature Center
Wednesday, May 30
Natural World of Art: Strawberries (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Program (registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Thursday, May 31
Dulcimer Workshop (registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Shoots and Letters: What lives in the trees? Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Programs are run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and Nature Council volunteers. Many programs are free, but some ask for a donation or have a small fee. Be sure to check the websites to confirm times and locations.
With our parks in full bloom now, what better time to take a walk, hike or run. Check out our over 200 Baltimore County Parks to experience the beauty and fresh air up-close and personal. They are your parks. Enjoy them to the fullest!
By Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz
I was born, raised, live and work in Baltimore County. Here are just a few of the many things to love about our home county.
Our schools rule, with an 89% graduation rate and seven Baltimore County public high schools ranked among the region’s 25 best by Niche, a nationally recognized website that evaluates schools and neighborhoods.
The Ravens are at home here, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills.
Craft brews from Heavy Seas, Du Claw, Key and White Marsh brewing are a great way to cheer our favorite teams.
Guinness is bringing its Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House to Baltimore County – the legendary brand’s only North America location for brewing and testing new beers.
You can be in downtown Towson and, 10 minutes later, be driving past a thoroughbred horse farm, enjoying a round of golf, or taste-testing at a vineyard.
Baltimore County boasts more than 200 miles of shoreline for waterfront dining, sailing, kayaking, and sunset celebrations, on shore and off.
Thirty percent of Baltimore County’s land is preserved as parkland and open space for recreation, green space, water protection and family farms.
Tradepoint Atlantic, one of the largest industrial redevelopments in the U.S., is bringing 10,000 jobs back to Sparrows Point.
When a Fortune 500 company brings 400 new jobs to Baltimore County, you know we’ve got something great going on here. Thanks Stanley Black & Decker.
There’s no place like home!
By Mike Schneider, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks
February is a month for heart-healthy exercise, crisp fresh air, learning and sharing experiences. Try your hand at making Mayan chocolate, learn beekeeping, and gaze at the new moon sky. From night hikes to yoga, fiber crafts to maple sugar time, check out Baltimore County Recreation and Parks’ calendar of February fun for the whole family.
Thursday, February 1
Shoots and Letters – Groundhog Day Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, February 2
Woodchuck the Weather Man Night Hike (pre-registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Bookworm Story Time Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Saturday, February 3
Whimsical Nest Box Workshop Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
We’ve Got Rhythm Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Chat and Chew Series: The White House Chandeliers Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Mayan Chocolate-Making (pre-registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Bonfire & Night Hike Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Yoga in the Park Lake Roland
Linoleum Block Printing and Card Making for Adults (pre-registration required – continues February 10) Lake Roland
Whistle Pig Whimsy (pre-registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Basket Making Workshop (snow date: February 10) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Sunday, February 4
Dead Leaves, Cheese, Butter and Kimchi Cromwell Valley Park
Fiber Crafts Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Groundhog Gets A Say! Lake Roland
Fish Print Pillow Cases (pre-registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Wake Up Groundhog! (pre-registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Monday, February 5
Pre-K Nature Drop In – Groundhogs Marshy Point Nature Center
Tuesday, February 6 through Friday, February 9
Trail Guide Training (pre-registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Wednesday, February 7
Habitat Restoration Team Work Day Cromwell Valley Park
Natural World of Art: Bright Branches Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Nature Program Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Wooly Bear Club (pre-registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Thursday, February 8
Shoots and Letters – Digging in the Dirt Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, February 9
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Creative Clay: Pinch Pot Animals (part two February 23 – pre-registration required)) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Homeschool Nature Days (pre-registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
“BINGO Buddies” Therapeutic Recreation
Saturday, February 10
African Americans Who Served During Wartime Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Beginning Bee Keeping (pre-registration required – concludes on Saturday, February 17) Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park
Habitat Restoration Team Work Day Cromwell Valley Park
Maple Sugaring Weekend Cromwell Valley Park
Valentine’s Party (pre-registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Linoleum Block Printing and Card Making for Adults (pre-registration required – continued from February 3) Lake Roland
Before Chocolate (pre-registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Squirreling Around (pre-registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Sunday, February 11
Maple Sugaring Weekend Cromwell Valley Park
Winter Snow Scene Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Sundays Birdwalk (pre-registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Just for Kids, Five Senses Hike (pre-registration required) Marshy Point Nature Center
Squirreling Around (pre-registration required) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Monday, February 12
Pre-K Nature Drop In – Valentine’s Day Marshy Point Nature Center
Wednesday, February 14
Natural World of Art: Quilled hearts and Flowers (pre-registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Nature Program Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Thursday, February 15
Shoots and Letters – Rocks and Minerals Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, February 16
New Moon Night Sky Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Saturday, February 17
Trace Your Roots (pre-reservation required) Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Great Backyard Bird Count Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum and Cromwell Valley Park
Tricky Tracking Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Bird Extravaganza Lake Roland
Maple Sugar Time Marshy Point Nature Center
Live Bluegrass and Country Music Middle River Recreation Council
Maple Sugaring Weekend (groups of 10+ must pre-register) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Sunday, February 18
Recycled Bird Feeders (pre-reservation required) Cromwell Valley Park
Bird Extravaganza Lake Roland
Maple Sugar Time Marshy Point Nature Center
Maple Sugaring Weekend (groups of 10+ must pre-register) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Monday, February 19
Arctic Adventure Day Camp (pre-registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
School’s Out! Lake Roland
Tuesday, February 20
Speaker Series – “The Amazing Horseshoe Crab” Marshy Point Nature Center
Wednesday, February 21
Natural World of Art: Crescent Moon (pre-registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Nature Program Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Thursday, February 22
Shoots and Letters – Maple Sugaring Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Friday, February 23
Friday Stroll Lake Roland
Saturday, February 24
Maple Sugaring in Maryland Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
Habitat Restoration Team Work Day Cromwell Valley Park
Slate Composite Tools (pre-registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Birds in Your Backyard Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Donut Run Lake Roland
Maple Sugar Time Marshy Point Nature Center
Maple Sugaring Weekend (groups of 10+ must pre-register) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Sunday, February 25
Tracks on T-Shirts (pre-registration required) Cromwell Valley Park
Afternoon Scrapbooking (pre-registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Maple Sugar Time Marshy Point Nature Center
Maple Sugaring Weekend (groups of 10+ must pre-register) Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Monday, February 26
Pre-K Nature Drop In – Maple Syrup Marshy Point Nature Center
Wednesday, February 28
Habitat Restoration Team Work Day Cromwell Valley Park
Natural World of Art: Stone Flowers (pre-registration required) Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Preschool Nature Program Holt Park and Center for the Arts
Programs are run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and Nature Council volunteers. Many programs are free, but some ask for a donation or have a small fee. Be sure to check the websites to confirm times and locations.
Take in our over 200 beautiful Parks for hikes and sites and all the cool fresh air you can imagine, and indoor Nature Centers if the weather is a bit too cold. Regardless of the temperature, there’s a lot to enjoy from Baltimore County Recreation and Parks.
