JUSTIN TSUCALAS
Far left : The Jones Falls Trail , great for both hiking and biking , runs for 11 miles along its namesake stream .
Left : At Cylburn Arboretum , explore miles of trails or just marvel at the gorgeous gardens . Below : The Maryland Zoo is set amid scenic parkland and invites hours of strolling .
STEP IT
OUT
CHOOSE THE CHARM CITY GREEN SPACE THAT BEST MATCHES YOUR MOVEMENT GOAL .
Between the towering office buildings forming our skyline and the constant hum of cars and trains , it ’ s easy to think that Baltimore ’ s landscape is purely urban . But dig a little deeper and you ’ ll find Baltimore ’ s greenscapes — lush parks abundant in rolling hills , rocky walking paths , waterfalls and tree-covered bike trails .
Hampden and Mount Washington , the trail also forms a segment of the East Coast Greenway project aimed at connecting Maine to Florida . Need a food break ? Veer off the trail toward Cosima ’ s waterside patio to feel transported to Italy .
Those looking for a more moderate option have several shorter paths to choose from . The third-oldest established park in the United States , Druid Hill ’ s 745 acres include athletic fields , playgrounds , a pool , the Maryland Zoo and the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens , meaning it ’ s easy to customize your experience and spend as much , or as little , time on your feet as you want . Similarly , Patterson Park in southeast Baltimore offers 137 acres of curving paths , luscious trees and water features in addition to athletic facilities and the impressive Patterson Park Observatory .
ERIN DOUGLAS
Those looking for a high-intensity hike or bike ride have several options in Charm City . The Gwynns Falls Trail is a 15-mile greenway trail that connects more than 30 neighborhoods and provides access to 2,000 acres of parkland , including Gwynns Falls / Leakin Park , one of the largest woodland parks in the United States . The trail begins at the I-70 Park-and-Ride and follows the stream all the way to the Inner Harbor .
Another option is the 10-mile Jones Falls Trail , which mostly runs along the Jones Falls stream as well as the Druid Hill Reservoir . In addition to connecting iconic Baltimore neighborhoods such as Mount Vernon ,
By contrast , Cylburn Arboretum is devoid of courts and recreational facilities to allow visitors to peacefully connect with their natural surroundings . Explore the three miles of woodland trails , wander through the gardens or learn more about the park ’ s wildlife at the Nature Education Center .
COURTESY OF THE MARYLAND ZOO
BALTIMORE . ORG 33