Patterson Park

For other uses, see Patterson Park (disambiguation).
Patterson Park

The "Observatory" a pagoda-style building on Hampstead Hill, overlooking the rest of the park
Type Public park
Location Baltimore, Maryland
Created 1827

Patterson Park is an urban park in Southeast Baltimore, Maryland, United States, adjacent to the neighborhoods of Canton, Highlandtown, Patterson Park, and Butchers Hill. It is bordered by East Baltimore Street, Eastern Avenue, South Patterson Park Avenue, and South Linwood Avenue. The Patterson Park extension lies to the east of the main park, and is bordered by East Pratt Street, South Ellwood Avenue, and Eastern Avenue.

Patterson Park was established in 1827 and named for William Patterson (1752-1835). The park consists of open fields of grass, large trees, paved walkways, historic battle sites, a lake, playgrounds, athletic fields, a swimming pool, and other signature attractions and buildings.[1] At 137 acres (0.55 km2), Patterson Park is not the city's largest park, however it is nicknamed "Best Backyard in Baltimore."[2]

Attractions and activities

A view of downtown Baltimore across Patterson Park

Patterson Park has four main entrances at each corner. Its notable attractions include the boat lake (where fishing is permitted), the marble fountain, the Pulaski Monument, and the Patterson Park Pagoda.[3][4] Originally the Patterson Park Observatory, the Pagoda was built in 1891 as an observation tower for viewing the city and is still open to visitors today.[5] The park is also home to the Virginia S. Baker Recreation Center.[6][7]

The park has smooth pathways suitable for biking and jogging. The sports fields are open for use to anyone who wants to play a game, and there are public tennis courts as well.[2][8] There are two playgrounds for children[9] as well as a fenced-in dog park.[10] There is a swimming pool open during the summer[8] and an ice skating rink that operates during winter.[11] From spring to early autumn, several festivals are held in the park.[12] The neighborhood surrounding the park is part of an innovative urban renewal campaign by the city and neighborhood leaders.[13]

Nature

General Casimir Pulaski Monument

There are no heavily forested areas of Patterson Park; however, there are plenty of open spaces. The boat lake, recently reconstructed, is inhabited mostly by mallard ducks, but its avian visitors include American coots and wood ducks. Great blue herons and great egrets are occasionally seen on the lake. There are also fish, frogs, and turtles in the lake.

History

The high ground at the northwest corner of Patterson Park, called Hampstead Hill, was the key defensive position for U.S. forces against British ground forces in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. The redoubt was known as Rodgers Bastion, or Sheppard's Bastion, and was the centerpiece of the earthen line dug to defend the eastern approach to Baltimore, from the outer harbor in Canton north to Belair Road. On September 13, 1814, the day after the Battle of North Point, some 4,300 British troops advanced north on North Point Road, then west along the Philadelphia Road toward Baltimore, forcing U.S. troops to retreat to the defensive line. When the British began probing actions, the American line was defended by 100 cannon and more than 10,000 troops. The American defenses were far stronger than anticipated, and U.S. defenders at Fort McHenry successfully stopped British naval forces from advancing close enough to lend artillery support, and British attempts to flank the defense were countered. Thus, before dawn on September 14, 1814, British commander Colonel Arthur Brooke decided the land campaign was a lost cause, and ordered the retreat back to the ships, and the United States was thus victorious in the Battle of Baltimore.[14][15][16]

William Patterson (d. 1835), a Baltimore merchant, donated 5 acres (20,000 m2) to the city for a public walk in 1827, and the city purchased 29 acres (120,000 m2) additional from the Patterson family in 1860.[17] Additions and improvements to the park made after 1859 were funded through the city's "park tax" on its streetcars, which was initially set at 20% of the fare.[18] During the Civil War, the site was used as a Union troop encampment. Additional purchases in later years increased the park size to its present 137 acres (0.55 km2). The 60-foot (18 m) Pagoda, designed by Charles H. Latrobe, was built on Hampstead Hill in 1891[19] and has been refurbished along with other park structures.

Several public accommodations at the park such as the swimming pools, picnic pavilions, and playgrounds were managed as "separate but equal" until they were desegregated in 1956.[20] The park is included in the Baltimore National Heritage Area.[21]

See also

Highlandtown Arts District

References

  1. ↑ Harnik, Peter (2002), The Best Backyard in Baltimore (PDF), Washington, DC: The Trust for Public Land Center for City Park Excellence, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  2. 1 2 Collins, Dan (18 Dec 2008), "Patterson Park: Best backyard in Baltimore", Washington Examiner, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  3. ↑ Almaguer 2006, p. 37, 42, 111.
  4. ↑ "Pulaski Monument", The Baltimore Sun, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  5. ↑ Taylor, Barbara Haddock (28 Feb 2014), "Patterson Park Pagoda: Asian influence in Southeast Baltimore", The Baltimore Sun, retrieved 29 Mar 2016
  6. ↑ Almaguer, Tim (2006). Baltimore's Patterson Park: Images of America series. Charleston, SC:Arcadia Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 9780738543659.
  7. ↑ Virginia Baker Recreation Center, Friends of Patterson Park, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  8. 1 2 Kelly, Jacques (7 Aug 2015), "Patterson Park buzzes with activity in the summer", The Baltimore Sun, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  9. ↑ "Places in the Park: Playgrounds", Friends of Patterson Park, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  10. ↑ "Patterson Park opens new dog park", WBAL-TV Baltimore, 17 Dec 2012, retrieved 29 Mar 2016
  11. ↑ Salinas, Sara (17 June 2015), "Patterson Park redesign would eliminate Mimi DiPietro ice rink", Baltimore Business Journal, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  12. ↑ Community Events, Friends of Patterson Park, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  13. ↑ Patterson Park, City Parks Alliance, 2016, retrieved 30 Mar 2016
  14. ↑ Google Books Scenes In The War Of 1812, Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 28, March 1864, page 433-449
  15. ↑ Ftmeadsoundoff.com The Battle of Baltimore, Kevin Young, Ft. Meade Soundoff, 9/1/05
  16. ↑ Citypaper.com 1812 Overtures, Brennen Jensen, Baltimore City Paper, 9/22/99
  17. ↑ Almaguer 2006, p. 9, 29.
  18. ↑ Farrell, Michael R. (1992). The History of Baltimore's Streetcars. Sykesville, MD: Greenberg Publishing Co. pp. 4–6, 23, 139–40. ISBN 0-89778-283-6.
  19. ↑ Dorsey, John & Dilts, James D., Guide to Baltimore Architecture (1997) p. 201-2. Tidewater Publishers, Centreville, Maryland ISBN 0-87033-477-8
  20. ↑ Almaguer 2006, p. 68.
  21. ↑ "Baltimore National Heritage Area Map" (PDF). City of Baltimore. Retrieved March 11, 2012.

Coordinates: 39°17′22″N 76°34′48″W / 39.28931°N 76.57990°W / 39.28931; -76.57990

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