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Baker Park: 121 North Bentz Street
Baker Park is a popular 58-acre green space in the center of Historic Downtown Frederick. All that space makes the park the natural choice for local events. Baker Park hosts Frederick’s Fourth every Independence Day and an annual Summer Concert Series. There’s still plenty to enjoy outside festival season though. Baker Park has two large children’s playgrounds and jogging and cycling paths to get your heart rate up. It’s also a pet-friendly space, so take your dog with you for a stroll or a family picnic by Culler Lake.
Carroll Creek Linear Park: Market Street
When two major floods decimated downtown Frederick in the 1970s, city planners knew they had to protect the local area. They developed Carroll Creek Linear Park, a long green space built over an underground system of concrete conduits. The ambitious plan worked and became one of Frederick’s most popular attractions. An outdoor amphitheater provides the park’s centerpiece. This venue regularly hosts musical performances, especially during festivals held in the park. All year round, visitors can also stroll along pedestrian bridges and brick pathways. Make sure you stop and admire the water features and public artworks along the way.
Ballenger Creek Park: 5420 Ballenger Creek Pike
While it doesn’t host events like some of Frederick’s larger parks, there’s always plenty to do at Ballenger Creek Park. You’ll find recreational facilities for all ages here, including a playground, horseshoe pits, and a multipurpose field. Its 0.7-mile nature hike is ideal for family walks. The path is pet-friendly, so make sure you bring your four-legged friends along. There’s also a dog park on-site. Ballenger Creek Park also has picnic shelters and tables as well as some grills, so you can turn an outdoor lunch into a real celebration.
Gambrill State Park: 8602 Gambrill Park Road
If you really want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, head to Gambrill State Park. This picturesque state park sits on the Catoctin Mountains. There are 16 miles of communal trails spread over the Rock Run and High Knob areas. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders happily share this space, reveling in the solitude many find here.
Families love the Rock Run area for its campground, fishing pond, and picnic area. The High Knob area is arguably more beautiful though. Reach its summit for majestic views of the Frederick and Middletown Valleys. The High Knob also has picnic areas and a popular events venue, the Tea Room.
Whether you want space for exercise or a quiet place to watch the world go by, Frederick’s parks deliver it. Make sure to visit these great green spaces whenever you need time out from city living.
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