Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan

FINAL MASTER PLAN

The Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan is now publicly available. View the plan and appendices below. Email oregonridgemasterplan@baltimorecountymd.gov with comments or questions.

  1. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 1
  2. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 2
  3. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 3
  4. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 4
  5. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix I: Cultural Context
  6. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix I: Cultural Context, Part 2
  7. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix II: Natural Resources, Part 1
  8. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix II: Natural Resources, Part 2
  9. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix III: Built Conditions, Part 1
  10. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix III: Built Conditions, Part 2
  11. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix III: Built Conditions, Part 3
  12. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix IV: Recreation Demand
  13. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement
  14. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix A
  15. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 1
  16. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 1a
  17. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 2
  18. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 3
  19. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 4
  20. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix C
  21. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix D

PROJECT TIMELINE

Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA) was selected to lead the master planning process and was responsible for evaluating the existing amenities within Oregon Ridge, public outreach to County residents and recommendations for future enhancements.

Members of the public were engaged throughout the process through virtual and in-person meetings, interviews, informal park events, emailed and phoned comments, and surveys. Below is the timeline of the master planning process. Videos of past meetings can be found in the calendar at the bottom of this page.

SPRING 2022

  • March 15: Held an initial public information meeting (136 attendees)
  • June 14: Held a second public information meeting, where L/KLA presented an initial synthesis of the inventory and preliminary analysis (126 attendees)
  • L/KLA held informal interviews and focus groups with park users, park employees, and other residents who are not yet users of the park and conducted a thorough inventory of the park’s natural resources

SUMMER 2022

  • July 17: Events in the park for Latino Conservation Week highlighted the ongoing process for the Oregon Ridge Master Plan
  • Tuesdays in August: A ranger from the Chesapeake Conservancy engaged visitors about the future of the park in English and Spanish
  • L/KLA continued to collect public input and envision the future of the park

FALL 2022

  • August and September: Chesapeake Conservancy was at the Maryland State Fair reaching out to residents, sharing information about the master planning process and collecting input
  • October 6 and 8: Held virtual (77 attendees) and in-person (over 100 attendees) public input meetings to receive feedback on possible future uses of the park
  • Public survey conducted to collect feedback. This survey received over 200 responses
  • November 12 and November 16: Held virtual (74 attendees) and in-person (about 75 attendees) public meetings to present proposed enhancements

WINTER/SPRING 2023

  • Draft Plan submitted by L/KLA to Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks
  • April 13: Held virtual public meeting to present draft plan (71 attendees)
  • May: Held an in-person meeting at the Oregon Ridge Lodge for public comments (about 50 attendees)

Fall 2023

  • October 17: The final Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan was released
  • December: L/KLA were contracted to proceed with trail design work and investigation work began

Winter/Spring 2024

  • February 1: Held in-person meeting between the Department of Recreation and Parks and Oregon Ridge Nature Council for a progress update on the master trail plan
  • May 1: Held in-person meeting between the Department of Recreation and Parks and Oregon Ridge Nature Council for a progress update and input on orange trail repairs and preliminary investigation work
  • May 2: The Department of Recreation and Parks received preliminary trail input from Oregon Ridge Nature Council

Summer 2024

  • July 24: Held virtual Oregon Ridge Master Trail Plan stakeholder update meeting

Fall 2024

  • October 19: Held in-person meeting at the Oregon Ridge Lodge, open to the public, to discuss master plan trail update and accessible trail review. View the draft trail plan presented at the meeting.  

GOALS

The plan includes evaluations of and recommendations for:

  • Natural Resources Management—To ensure the protection of forest land, rare and unusual plants and water resources
  • Educational Programming and Facilities—To help the Nature Center better serve residents
  • Facility Improvements—Including changes to signage and parking to create better access and updates to utilities, restrooms and buildings to enhance park users’ experiences
  • Accessibility to Transition Facilities—To serve residents of all abilities
  • Arts Programming—To create a hub for cultural activities, public art and performances
  • Recreational Activities—To adapt facilities to meet modern recreational needs

View the contract and additional information for the creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan.

INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS

Thank you to the following groups and individuals who participated in interviews and focus groups for the Oregon Ridge Master Plan.

  • Oregon Ridge Nature Center volunteers
  • Oregon Ridge Nature Council
  • Oregon Ridge trails advocates
  • Hot August
  • Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
  • Kennedy Krieger
  • Biking advocacy groups
  • Valleys Planning Council
  • Trails, environment and park history groups
  • Ballfield advocates
  • Birders

MEETINGS

Select the events below to learn more.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

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PREVIOUS

DateNameDetails
May 24, 2023Oregon Ridge Park Draft Master Plan Public Input MeetingThe Department of Recreation and Parks is soliciting feedback on the draft Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan. This meeting will include a brief presentation by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, who led the master planning effort, followed by public comments.
April 13, 2023Oregon Ridge Master Plan Public Meeting

Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks hosted a public meeting to discuss the master plan.

In order to improve the park's features and ensure that Oregon Ridge continues to serve residents, the Department initiated a master planning process, led by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects. The master plan provides an assessment of current conditions and guidance for park improvements over the next two decades.

The team developing the master plan compiled an inventory of natural resources and assets, and existing recreation and educational offerings, and converted them into park improvements to be installed over the next 20-25 years. Several virtual and in person meetings were held to obtain public input and those suggestions were incorporated into the master plan document. The Department presented recommendations from the master plan, where to locate the documents, and how to provide comments.

Watch the recording of the meeting.
     

November 16, 2022Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan: Presentation of Proposed Enhancements (Virtual)

In order to improve the park's features and ensure that Oregon Ridge continues to serve residents, the Department initiated a master planning process, led by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA). The master plan provides an assessment of current conditions and guidance for park improvements over the next two decades. At this meeting, L/KLA presented proposed enhancements for the Oregon Ridge.

Watch the recording of the meeting.

November 12, 2022Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan: Presentation of Proposed Enhancements (In Person)

In order to improve the park's features and ensure that Oregon Ridge continues to serve residents, the Department initiated a master planning process, led by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA). The master plan provides an assessment of current conditions and guidance for park improvements over the next two decades. At this meeting, L/KLA will present concept alternatives for the Oregon Ridge master plan.

This meeting will take place in the auditorium at Oregon Ridge Nature Center.

Email oregonridgemasterplan@baltimorecountymd.gov with questions.

October 8, 2022RESCHEDULED: Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan Public Input Meeting (In Person)

This meeting was rescheduled from Saturday, October 1.

Over 100 visitors joined us in the Sequoia Room at Oregon Ridge Park Lodge to share their feedback on the future of the park. 

Please attend this meeting to share your observations and feedback. Email oregonridgemasterplan@baltimorecountymd.gov with questions.

October 6, 2022Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan Public Input Meeting (Virtual)

To ensure that Oregon Ridge Park continues to serve residents, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks initiated a master planning process, expected to conclude in December 2022. At this meeting, residents shared observations and feedback. 

Watch the recording of the meeting

October 1, 2022CANCELLED: Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan Public Input Meeting (In Person)

This meeting has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 8th.

Email oregonridgemasterplan@baltimorecountymd.gov with questions.

August 23, 2022Actividades para familias en Oregon Ridge ParkSol o lluvia en el Lake Pavilion Apprende cómo usar una brújula, leer un mapa, ir de caminata, participar en una búsqueda de tesoros y mucho más. No se require registro para poder participar. Para preguntas o más información, llamen a 703-739-0972 o manden un correo electrónico a irocachavez@chesapeakeconservancy.org.
August 16, 2022Actividades para familias en Oregon Ridge ParkSol o lluvia en el Lake Pavilion Apprende cómo usar una brújula, leer un mapa, ir de caminata, participar en una búsqueda de tesoros y mucho más. No se require registro para poder participar. Para preguntas o más información, llamen a 703-739-0972 o manden un correo electrónico a irocachavez@chesapeakeconservancy.org.
August 9, 2022Actividades para familias en Oregon Ridge ParkSol o lluvia en el Lake Pavilion Apprende cómo usar una brújula, leer un mapa, ir de caminata, participar en una búsqueda de tesoros y mucho más. No se require registro para poder participar. Para preguntas o más información, llamen a 703-739-0972 o manden un correo electrónico a irocachavez@chesapeakeconservancy.org.
June 14, 2022Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan Public Input Meeting

Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks hosted the second virtual meeting for the Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan. At this meeting, the planning team shared its initial synthesis of the inventory and preliminary analysis. Meeting participants were able to weigh in with additional observations, information and feedback.

Watch the recording of the meeting

March 15, 2022Creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan Public Information Meeting

Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks hosted a virtual meeting to inform the community on how the Master Plan will take shape over the next year, and to introduce the team heading up this exciting process. While this was not the formal public input meeting, information was discussed on how, when and where public input will be compiled. A formal public input meeting will be held later in the process.

Watch the recording of the meeting.