Recreation and Parks
Most Popular
Recreation Centers
Status: Modified
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The community center at Sparrows Point Park has reopened.
Chesterwood Park is currently closed due to storm damage.
Other recreation and park facilities are operating as scheduled.
Initiatives
- Reimagine Recreation and Parks
- Strategic Plan 2024 to 2028
- CivicRec Booking Platform
- Capital Projects and Improvements
- Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan
- Oregon Ridge Master Planning Process
- Baltimore County Master Plan 2030
- Email Newsletter Sign Up
Department
Facility Highlights
The Department of Recreation and Parks upholds our purpose and goals through our mission to provide programs and places that celebrate and build community through innovative, sustainable and inclusive recreational opportunities, partners and facilities.
To provide high quality, diverse and accessible programs and services and facilities that enhance the quality of life for all ages, cultures and abilities throughout Baltimore County.
We are “ready to serve!”
- Respect
- Equity
- Accountability
- Diversity
- Yes to Innovation
- Sustainability
- Engagement
- Responsive
- Visionary
- Excellence
In 2024, the Department of Recreation and Parks earned the prestigious accreditation of the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).
Accreditation is a sign to residents that the Department is responsibly and fairly managing taxpayer funds and other resources to deliver the highest level of service, inclusive parks and modern initiatives.
The Department is one of only 214 agencies from the more than 10,000 eligible agencies nationwide to earn this mark of excellence.
NEWS
- Loch Raven Fishing Center Now Open—The fishing center is open daily from 6 a.m. for launches (by permitted users) and rentals of electric motor and row boats.
- Summer Camps and Programs—Baltimore County’s popular summer camps and drop-in programs are open for registration via the CivicRec online catalog.
- Now Accepting Job Applications—We are hiring for summer seasonal positions at our beaches and fishing center, including lifeguards, cashiers and managers.
2024
Explore your interests
We offer free and inexpensive fun for the whole family every week. View the May 2025 program guide or explore your interests by category below.
- Animals—From hands-on encounters to naturalist presentations, learn about the mammals, birds and bugs in our area.
- Arts and Crafts—Make a gift for someone or keep it for yourself, we won't tell. No skill or experience required.
- Camps—We offer popular summer camps and summer drop-in programs for kids ages 4 to 17 at sites across Baltimore County.
- Events—Find festivals, fairs and demonstrations.
- Hikes and Walks—Stretch your legs with hikes and walks ranging from easy to more challenging.
- Just for Kids—For the young and young at heart.
- Outdoors—Nature education for all ages.
- Skies—Learn more about the night sky at an astronomy program.
- Skills—Learn a new skill, from bow-making and primitive technology to volunteer naturalist training.
- Sports—A variety of leagues and lessons.
View the Calendar for upcoming events
Benefits of Recreation and Parks
Just as water, sewer and public safety are considered essential public services, recreation and parks is vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community, ensuring the health of families and youth, and contributing to the economic—and environmental—well-being of a community and a region.
Access to parks and recreation facilities leads to healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and ability levels. According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, creating, improving and promoting places to be physically active can improve individual and community health and result in a 25 percent increase of residents who exercise at least three times per week. Just a moderate amount of physical activity has a significant impact on mental health as well, offering a decrease in stress, anxiety, anger and depression. With 216 parks in the Baltimore County system, 43 community facilities and over 82 miles of trails, we aim to help our residents and visitors stay happy and healthy.
Parks are key community contributors when it comes to addressing the effects of climate change or preserving natural habitats. Parks and protected public lands are proven to improve water quality, protect groundwater, prevent flooding, improve the quality of the air we breathe, provide vegetative buffers to development, produce habitat for wildlife and provide a place for children and families to connect with nature and recreate outdoors together.
Parks and Recreation facilities are powerful engines of economic activity. Parks improve the local tax base and it’s proven that private property values increase the value of privately-owned land the closer such land is to parks. This increase in private property value due to the proximity to parks improves local economies. In fact, quality parks and recreation are cited as one of the top three reasons that business cite in relocation decisions in a number of studies.
Universal access to public parks and recreation is a right, not just a privilege. Baltimore County Recreation and Parks enhances social equity through providing facilities and programs accessible to our community members regardless of income, race, age, and ability. Parks have a value to communities that transcends the amount of dollars invested or the revenues gained from fees. They provide a sense of public pride and cohesion to every community. The Recreation and Parks team commits and cares about the presence of social equity in our community and recognizes the importance of demonstrating that value every day.