Baltimore, MD

Fort McHenry National Historic Site
DESCRIPTION: Now more park than fort, you can still bring those history lessons alive with a walk along and inside the walls of the early American fort used during the War of 1812 when Francis Scott Key wrote the American National Anthem; its worth noting that people of African descent fought on both sides in that war; one of the more interesting location aspects of the fort is that it splits the Patapsco River with one branch going up to the Inner Harbor; you can also get great views of the container ports and working vessels in the outer harbor

ADDRESS:2400 East Fort Ave  MAP
PHONE: 410-962-4290

WEBSITE:  Link

Federal Hill Park
DESCRIPTION: Used as a lookout during the Civil War, it now provides the best views of the Inner Harbor and Outer Harbor, particularly during fireworks and the Week of the Tall Ships; a pleasant place for small picnics

ADDRESS: Bounded by Key Highway, Battery Ave, Covington Street and Warren Ave  MAP

WEBSITE: http://www.baltimore.to/FederalHill

Henry Highland Garnett Park
DESCRIPTION: Named in honor of an abolitionist known to more fiery than even Frederick Douglass; Garnett delivered some of his most impassioned speeches here in this small corner park in the mid-1800s

ADDRESS: Druid Hill Ave at Lafayette Ave  MAP

WEBSITE: Link

Leon Day Park
DESCRIPTION: In 1997 this park was upgraded and rededicated to West Baltimore native, Negro Leagues baseball star and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Leon Day (1916-1995); the park is also a nod to the Baltimore Elite Giants and the Baltimore Black Sox of the Negro Leagues, since Day played for both; Day was an outstanding right handed pitcher, hitter, and his speed made him a fearsome base stealer as well; Day holds the strikeout record for the Negro National League and is named as one of the all-time best Negro Leagues pitchers; this first rate park features a lighted baseball field with bleachers; a basketball court, softball diamond, football field, toddler playground, picnic area, and half mile long exercise loop

ADDRESS: 1200 North Franklintown Road  MAP

PHONE: 410-783-5469‎

WEBSITE: http://www.nlbpa.com

Druid Hill Park
DESCRIPTION: In 1860, Baltimore Park Commission purchased Druid Hill Estate, which had been laid-out in the manner of an English garden with Mansion House focal point; even though this 650-acre park has no grand landscaping scheme, one is constantly reminded of its magnificent Mansion House, gardens, miles of carriage paths, a beutiful lake, and picnic groves; the park is also home to Baltimore Zoo, tennis courts, playgrounds, and an aviary; thus its components fit together as nature intended, rather than a landscape engineer; the tennis courts and pool are historically noteworthy to African Americans because gaining access to them in the 1950s were some of the most cherished victories of the Civil Rights Movement; more citizens visit this park than any other in Baltimore

ADDRESS: entrances at Greenspring Ave, Parkdale Ave and Swann Drive  MAP

WEBSITE: Link

Cylburn Arboretum
DESCRIPTION: Built 1863-1883, this park is an under-explored 176-acre treasure in the city; if possible, visit in Spring when everything is blooming including the maples and oaks; the second best time to visit is early Fall; Cylburn is also a family place with its Children’s Nature Museum and Horticulture Library for plant lovers; a new visitor center is nearing completion

ADDRESS: 4915 Greenspring Ave  MAP

PHONE: 410-367-2217

WEBSITE: http://www.cylburnassociation.org

Oella, MD

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park
DESCRIPTION: After selling a small portion of his land to a nephew, Greenbury Morten, Banneker sold most of 138 acres to his life-long friends, the Ellicott Brothers, though a legal clause permitted him to live there until his death.  Banneker had no immediate family to pass the land onto; state funding has reassembled most of his land into a wonderful park and museum frequently used for family reunions

ADDRESS: 300 Oella Ave  MAP

PHONE: 410-887-1081

WEBSITE: Link

Hampton, MD

Hampton National Historic Park
DESCRIPTION: This land was first purchased from Lord Baltimore's daughter by Charles Ridgely in 1745; at one time his estate consisted of 11,000 acres and was tended by 300 enslaved people who helped make him wealthy; they built one of the finest examples of 18th century Georgian style mansions on the land; though Ridgely freed some upon his death, most of his enslaved persons remained in bondage until the end of the Civil War; Ridgely's heirs continued as socialites on the property until 1979; slave quarters, a smokehouse, orangery, orchards, and barn accompany the mansion for a glimpse back at those times; daily 9a-5p; $5 to tour the mansion; managed by the National Park Service

ADDRESS: 535 Hampton Lane  MAP

PHONE: 410-823-1309

PHONE: http://www.nps.gov/hamp