As we near the end of Earth month and the weather gets warmer into May, the urge to be outside gets stronger and stronger. More and more Towson students flock to the outdoor tables during lunch, hoping to enjoy the Spring weather before it gets hot and the cicadas come. For more ways to get outside, get active, and enjoy nature, check out these 25 greenspaces 25 miles or less from Towson High!
Radebaugh Park
Location: 11 Maryland Ave, Towson, MD 21286
Distance From Towson High: 2 minutes (0.3 miles)
It's best known for its small but steadily developing flora and fauna, paved walking path, and helpfully right next to Radebaugh Florist, in case you're also interested in buying plants.
Forge ParkÂ
Location:Â 420 Schwartz Ave, Baltimore, MD 21212
Distance From Towson High:Â 5 minutes (1.7 miles)
It's best known for its large fields and good-sized tennis courts in Rodger Forge's backyard! This park is perfect for letting your dog run free down the hills, playing pickleball or rollerskating in the tennis courts.
Overlook Park
Location: 1300 Overbrook Rd, Northwood, MD 21239
Distance From Towson High: 6 minutes (2.3 miles)
It's best known for its easily accessible stream, tennis courts popular with local bikers and skaters, great picnic areas, and classic community-based feel.
Hampton Mansion
Location:Â Hampton National Historic Site, 535 Hampton Ln, Towson, MD 21286
Distance From Towson High:Â 8 minutes (2.6 miles)
It's best known for its grand mansion and picturesque gardens, but holds a significant historical past as a plantation reliant on enslaved labor, shedding light on the complexities of America's history.
Putty Hill Park
Location:Â 8600 Hoerner Road, Parkville, MD 21234
Distance From Towson High: 10 minutes (3.3 miles)
It's best known for its lovely picnic area, hiking trails, and basketball courts great for a day in the sun or a walk with your dog!
Sherwood Gardens
Location:Â 4310 Underwood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21218
Distance From Towson High: 10 minutes (3.8 miles)
It's best known for its breathtaking display of tulips every spring, great for Prom photo-ops, picnics, or quick walks around.
Cromwell Valley Park
Location: 2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd, Baltimore, MD
Distance From Towson High: 10 minutes (4.2 miles)
It's best known for its year-round weekend programming, 150-year-old farmhouse, great spots to go picnicking, Children's garden, and hiking trails.
Loch Raven Reservoir
Location:Â 9800 Loch Raven Dr, Towson, MD 21286
Distance From Towson High:Â 11 minutes (4.8 miles)
It's best known for its convenient boat launches for kayaks or canoes and peaceful views from hiking trails around the reservoir, wonderful for a warm day in Spring.
Lake Roland
Location:Â 1000 Lakeside Dr, Baltimore, MD 21210
Distance From Towson High:Â 13 minutes (4.6 miles)
It's best known for its great hiking trails, rocks to picnic on by the water, and boat launch if you're into kayaking or canoeing.
Meadowood Regional Park
Location: 10650 Falls Rd, Timonium, MD 21093
Distance From Towson High: 13 minutes (4.9 miles)
It's best known for its classic athletic fields played on by almost every Baltimore recreational youth soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and football team, pavilions great for picnics, and a bike-able and rollerskate-able paved walking path.
Double Rock Park
Location: 8211 Glen Rd, Baltimore, MD
Distance From Towson High: 14 minutes (5.1 miles)
It's best known for its great picnic spots, sizeable athletic fields, hiking and biking trails, and cool stream perfect for a warm day in Spring.
Cylburn Arboretum
Location:Â 4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
Distance From Towson High:Â 14 minutes (5.1 miles)
It's best known for its beautiful gardens and greenhouses, with trails scattered throughout the large property in Baltimore City.
Wyman Park
Location:Â Wyman Park, Baltimore, MD
Distance From Towson High:Â 15 minutes (5.4 miles)
It's best known for its walkable paths, wonderful little stream, and great fields for letting your dog off leash or picnicking in the heart of Baltimore.
Lake Montebello
Location: Lake Montebello Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218
Distance From Towson High: 16 minutes (6.3 miles)
It's best known for scenic jogging and biking trail that loops around the reservoir, offering a peaceful escape for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center
Location:Â 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Distance From Towson High:Â 17 minutes (11.2 miles)
It's best known for hiking trails, nature center, picnic and recreation areas, and weekend programming with art and music for all ages!
Honeygo Run Regional Park
Location:Â 9033 Honeygo Blvd, Perry Hall, MD 21128
Distance From Towson High:Â 18 minutes (10.9 miles)
It's best known for its sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic walking paths, providing a fun and relaxing environment for families and community gatherings.
Rawlings Conservatory
Location: 3100 Swann Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217
Distance From Towson High:Â 21 minutes (8.8 miles)
It's best known for its stunning collection of exotic plants and flowers housed in glass greenhouses, offering visitors a lovely escape into nature!
Gunpowder Falls State Park (Hammerman Area)
Location:Â 7200 Graces Quarters Rd, Middle River, MD 21220
Distance From Towson High:Â 22 minutes (11.4 miles)
It's best known for its beautiful beaches by the Chesapeake Bay, where you can swim and relax. It's also well-loved for its nice hiking trails, great for seeing nature and animals.
Ladew Topiary Gardens
Location: 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111
Distance From Towson High: 24 minutes (15.2 miles)
It's best known for beautifully sculpted shrubs and gardens, providing a charming and tranquil setting for visitors to picnic and enjoy nature's artistry.
Patterson Park
Location: 2601 E Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21224
Distance From Towson High: 25 minutes (11.7 miles)
It's best known for being the oldest park in Baltimore, a beautiful oasis in East Baltimore with great walking trails, and the classic Patterson Park pagoda.
Irvine Nature Center
Location: 11201 Garrison Forest Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Distance From Towson High: 25 minutes (12.6 miles)
It's best known for hands-on environmental education programs and scenic trails, offering visitors of all ages the chance to connect with nature and learn about Maryland's ecosystem.
Gwynns Falls Park
Location: Gwynn Falls Park, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Distance From Towson High: 26 minutes (17.5 miles)
It's best known for scenic trails, lush greenery, and picturesque waterways, providing a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers in Baltimore.
Soldiers Delight
Location: 5100 Deer Park Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Distance From Towson High: 26 minutes (20 miles)
It's best known for its unique serpentine grasslands, home to rare and endangered plant species, offering visitors a glimpse into a distinctive landscape.
King and Queen Seat
Location: Rocks State Park, Unnamed Road, Jarrettsville, MD 21084
Distance From Towson High: 39 minutes (23.8 miles)
It's best known for its breathtaking views from the natural rock outcrop, and plenty of rocky trails and loops to hike on.
Patapsco Valley State Park
Location: 8020 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Distance From Towson High: 45 minutes (23.5 miles)
It's best known for its network of scenic trails, perfect for hiking, biking, and enjoying nature amidst the Patapsco River Valley.
Whether this was just an interesting read on a dismal Monday morning or a new addition to your mid-spring or summer bucket list, I hope you find a greenspace near you to relax and enjoy nature's beauty!
Written and Edited by Kate Morton
Map courtesy of SnazzyMaps
Photo courtesy of Kate Morton