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{{Short description|Park in Baltimore, Maryland, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
| alt_name =
| photo = Orianda-Mansion.jpg
| photo_width = 250
| photo_alt = Orianda Mansion ("Crimea")
| photo_caption = Orianda Mansion ("Crimea") in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
| location = 4921 Windsor Mill Road<br/>[[Baltimore, MD]], 21207
| type =
| location = 4921 Windsor Mill Road<br/>[[Baltimore|Baltimore, MD]] 21207
| coords = {{coord|39|18|23|N|76|41|27|W|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|1216|acre|ha}}
| created = 1908
| operator = Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks
| website = {{URL|https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/parks/gwynns-falls}}
| visitation_num =
| status =
| map =
| map_width =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
}}
 
'''Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park''' is a park in [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]. It is the second-largest woodland park in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-23 |title=Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park |url=https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/parks/gwynns-falls |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Department of Recreation & Parks |language=en}}</ref> constituting a contiguous area of {{Convert|1216|acre|ha}}. Envisioned as a "stream valley park" to protect Baltimore's [[Drainage basin|watersheds]], including the [[Gwynns Falls]], from overdevelopment and to preserve their natural habitats. It is well known for the fact that over 75 bodies have been discovered in the park since the 1940s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alvarenga |first=Jamie |date=2023-05-14 |title=This Park In Maryland Has A Dark And Evil History That Will Never Be Forgotten |url=https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/maryland/leakin-park-md/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=OnlyInYourState® |language=en-US}}</ref> It is also home to the Baltimore Herb Festival.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Linda Lowe |date=May 20, 1989 |title=Leakin Park to Host 'Largest Herb Event in the Country' |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref>
The contiguous 1,200 acres of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park constitute the largest woodland park in an East Coast city. Envisioned as a “stream valley park” to protect Baltimore’s watersheds like the Gwynns Falls from overdevelopment and to preserve their natural habitats, Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park today offers a rare opportunity for the public to explore a diverse natural environment characterized by stream valleys, ridge tops, and meadows; enjoy opportunities for active recreation; and experience historic structures from an earlier era.
 
Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, designated as part of the [https://explore.baltimoreheritage.org/items/show/30/ [Baltimore National Heritage Area]], is managed and maintained by [https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/welcome-rec-parksthe Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks], assisted and supported by volunteers of the [https://friendsofgwynnsfallsleakinpark.org/ Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park] (FOGFLP).
 
== Overview ==
Providing a green canopy for Baltimore City’s west side, theThe park incorporates the valleys of the Gwynns Falls and its tributaries, extending more than six miles{{Convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} from the western municipal limits south to Wilkens Avenue. Along its borders are twenty20 of the city’scity's neighborhoods. Today’s visitors may find themselves agreeing with anAn 1831 traveler who expressed surprise at discovering the valley’svalley's “wild"wild and beautiful scenery [. . .] so near the city, surrounded by all the various majestic features of a rocky mountainous country.”"<ref>''{{Cite book |title=A Natural Legacy: Baltimore’sBaltimore's Gwynns Falls and Leakin Parks,'' UMBC|publisher=University of Maryland Baltimore County, Community Studies Project, |year=1986 |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Outdoor recreation ==
[[File:A family in Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park.png|thumb|A family walking through a meadow at Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park|275x275px]]
=== The Eagle Drive Entrance to the Crimea section ===
[[File:People meeting in the Magnolia Grove, Gwynns Falls - Leakin Park.jpg|thumb|People meeting in the blooming Magnolia Grove, Gwynns Falls / Leakin Park|275px]]
Along Windsor Mill Road, the Eagle Drive Entrance to the park provides access to railroad-themed park amenities: the historic structures of railroad builder Thomas Winans, as well as such family activities as miniature train rides and an RR playground. Features from the Winans Crimea Estate era include the stone Orianda mansion and carriage house and the Carpenters Gothic Winans Chapel—all three on the City’s list of historic landmarks.<ref>Historic Landmarks #59: [https://chap.baltimorecity.gov/landmark-list Crimea House, Chapel, Stables] (1982)</ref> Visitor parking is located near the entrance.
 
=== The Crimea Section ===
Facilities in this section include the headquarters of the [https://www.outwardboundchesapeake.org/ Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School], with its outdoor activities programs. A short walk brings you to the [[Carrie Murray Nature Center]], named for the mother of Baltimore Oriole great Eddie Murray,<ref>“Pay-Raise Payback: Eddie Murray Plans to Build Camp for Kids,”
[[File:People meeting in the Magnolia Grove, Gwynns Falls - Leakin Park.jpg|thumb|People meeting in the blooming Magnolia Grove|275px]]
Afro-American (1893-1988); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md]17 Aug 1985: 9.</ref> with year-round programs providing young people opportunities “to meet live animals, explore the park, and develop a relationship with the natural world.” For active recreation, this section includes tennis courts, with plans for improved sports playfields, and access to woodland trails. There is also a grove of 28 saucer magnolias ([[Magnolia_×_soulangeana|Magnolia × soulangeana]]) and 3 sweetbay magnolias ([[Magnolia_virginiana|Magnolia virginiana]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://baltimore.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d2cfbbe9a24b4d988de127852e6c26c8 |title=The Baltimore Tree Inventory |publisher=City of Baltimore, Tree Baltimore, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref> that volunteers have recently saved from encroaching invasive vines. In early to mid-April, when the Magnolia Grove comes into full bloom, it is one of the must see spots in Baltimore.
The Eagle Drive entrance to the park provides access to railroad-themed park amenities: the historic structures of railroad builder Thomas Winans, as well as such family activities as miniature train rides<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2010 |title=Chesapeake & Allegheny Live Steamers |url=http://www.calslivesteam.org/ |access-date=April 10, 2022 |publisher=Chesapeake & Allegheny Stream Preservation Society}}</ref> and a railroad playground. Features from the Winans Crimea Estate era include the stone Orianda mansion and the Carpenters Gothic Winans Chapel—both on the city's list of historic landmarks.<ref>{{Cite web |year=1982 |title=Crimea and Stables Landmark Designation Report |url=https://chap.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Crimea%20and%20Stables%20Landmark%20Designation%20Report.pdf |access-date=April 9, 2022 |website=chap.baltimorecity.gov}}</ref>
 
Facilities in this section include the headquarters of the Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School, with its outdoor activities programs, the [[Carrie Murray Nature Center]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1985 |title=Pay-Raise Payback: Eddie Murray Plans to Build Camp for Kids |pages=9 |work=Afro-American |location=Baltimore, Maryland}}</ref> Active recreation sections include tennis courts and access to woodland trails. Saucer magnolias ([[Magnolia × soulangeana]]) and sweetbay magnolias ([[Magnolia virginiana]]) can be found here.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://baltimore.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d2cfbbe9a24b4d988de127852e6c26c8 |title=The Baltimore Tree Inventory |publisher=City of Baltimore, Tree Baltimore, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks |access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>
=== Gwynns Falls Trail, Leon Day Park, and Winans Meadow ===
 
=== Winans Meadow ===
[[File:People walking the Gwynns Falls Trail.png|thumb|People walking the Gwynns Falls Trail|274x274px]]
The [[Gwynns Falls Trail]] extends the length of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park from the terminus of [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|Interstate 70]] (I-70) to Wilkens Avenue, then proceeds with alternate destinations toin the Inner Harbor and theWinans MiddleMeadow Branchsection. Constructed in stages from 1999 to 2008, the trail opened the stream valley to active recreational use for hikers and bikers,<ref>{{cite web|title=Leakin Park parkrun|url=http://www.parkrun.us/leakinpark/|access-date=April 21, 2019|publisher=Friends of Gwynn's Falls/Leakin Park}}</ref> with trailheads and provision for parking along the route.<ref>“The{{Cite news |last=Remesch |first=Karin |date=June 3, 1999 |title=The Urban Wilderness; Trails: Phase I of the Gwynns Falls Trail Opens Saturday, and It Represents a Big Step Forward in Reclaiming Leakin Park, ” Remesch, Karin.|pages=3 |work=[[The Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, MdSun]] 03 June 1999: 3.}}</ref><ref>“West{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1997 |title=West Baltimore's Appalachian Trail; Greenway: Ground-breaking on 4.5-mile Path Through Leakin and Gwynns Falls Parks,” |pages=20A |work=[[The Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, MdSun] 02 Dec 1997: 20A.]}}</ref><ref>“Urban{{Cite news |last=Malik |first=Alia |date=June 23, 2007 |title=Urban Nature Trail Tells Story of City’sCity's Past; Historic Historical Scavenger Hunt, Outdoor Art Celebrate 15-Mile Gwynns Falls Trail,” Malik, Alia.|pages=1B |work=[[The Baltimore Sun;]]}}</ref> BaltimoreThe project also contributed new playfields that were designated "Leon Day Park," Md.in honor of [Baltimore,'s [[Leon MdDay]].<ref>{{Cite 23news June|last=Smith 2007:|first=Jamie 1B.|date=August 24, 1997 |title=Take Me Out to the Leon Day Park; Hundreds Celebrate Dedication of 15 Acres in Late Ballplayer's Honor |pages=3B |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> InterpretiveThere panelsare tellapproximately the18 identified hiking trails in Leakin Park. historyMost of the streamtrails valleyare in the Winans Meadow and Crimea areas of the park.
 
The project also contributed new amenities along Franklintown Road for Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, creating playfields that were designated Leon Day Park, in honor of Baltimore’s Negro leagues' great.<ref>“Take Me Out to the Leon Day Park; Hundreds Celebrate Dedication of 15 Acres in Late Ballplayer's Honor, “ Smith, Jamie. The Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md]24 Aug 1997: 3.B.</ref> It also provided greater public access to the park at Winans Meadow, including visitor parking, a covered pavilion for group use on a permit basis, and access to trails that extend from the valley to the park's uphill ridges.
 
=== Other hiking trails ===
The park is an ideal spot for walking, hiking, running, bicycling, and dog walking, although some would say that being in the presence of an abundance of nature tops the list. There are approximately eighteen identified hiking trails in GFLP that are listed on the [https://www.protect-the-park.com/trails Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park Trail Map]. Most of the trails are in the Winans Meadow and Crimea areas of the park. Trails are unpaved with the exception of a few trails that utilize sections of the Gwynns Falls Trail. Trails fall into the easy to moderate level with some rocky sections, rolling hills, and the occasional muddy area.
 
A popular trail is Heide's Trail, formerly the Ridge Trail, which runs along a ridge in an east/west direction, allowing for beautiful views of Winans Meadow and the Dead Run stream in the valley and several stands of very tall old trees. Along the Old Fort Trail there are several historic structures from the Winans Estate and, depending on the season, a great view of the back of the Orianda Mansion.
 
There are ten short hiking trails in the Winans Meadow area (accessible from Franklintown Road) and the Crimea area (accessible from Windsor Mill Road), which permit hikes of varying lengths, challenges and exposures. Longer hikes can be taken into different sections of the park via the Gwynns Falls Trail, the Dickeyville spur, the Windsor Hills Conservation Trail, and other trails that parallel Gwynns Falls. The Millrace section of the Gwynns Falls Trail (once a water power source for mills downstream and the only part of the route not paved) is a particularly scenic area with exceptional view of the Gwynns Falls. Parking for this section is available at the Windsor Mill Road Trailhead of the Gwynns Falls Trail.
 
Many hiking options are available to meet the desires of beginner and seasoned hikers and explorers. There is a historic estate to explore, relatively undisturbed forest areas, streams, a Sacred Labyrinth, a restored Magnolia Grove, and of course, the birds, bees, and other wildlife that make GFLP their home.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Table of Trails In Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
|-
! Trail Name !! Length, Miles !! Length, Kilometers !! Trail Surface !! Bridge Length, feet !! Number of Steps
|-
| [[68 Steps Trail]] || 0.04 || 0.07 || unpaved || 20 || 68
|-
| [[Briarclift Trail]] || 0.3 || 0.48 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Fox Trail]] || 0.14 || 0.22 || unpaved || 11 ||
|-
| [[Franklintown Connector]] || 0.16 || 0.27 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Gelston Heights Trail]] || 0.67 || 1.08 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[George's Oak Trail]] || 0.08 || 0.12 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Gwynns Falls Trail]] || 0.29 || 0.47 || asphalt || 0 || 20
|-
| [[Heide Trail]] || 0.66 || 1.06 || unpaved || 0 || 12
|-
| [[Hunting Ridge Trail]] || 0.45 || 0.73 || unpaved || 0 || 20
|-
| [[Hutton Trail]] || 0.51 || 0.82 || asphalt || 0 ||
|-
| [[Jastrow Levin Trail]] || 0.28 || 0.46 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Lazear Trail]] || 0.19 || 0.31 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Levin Picnic Grove Road]] || 0.24 || 0.38 || asphalt || 0 || 12
|-
| [[Old Monticello Road]] || 0.23 || 0.37 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Nature Center Trail]] || 0.12 || 0.19 || unpaved || 16 || 12
|-
| [[Norman Reeves Nature Loop]] || 0.41 || 0.67 || unpaved || 0 || 19
|-
| [[Old Fort Trail]] || 0.19 || 0.31 || unpaved || 44 || 13
|-
| [[Old Franklintown Loop Trail]] || 1.16 || 1.87 || unpaved || 46 ||
|-
| [[Old Gwynns Falls Parkway]] || 0.41 || 0.66 || paved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Old Spring Trail]] || 0.47 || 0.75 || unpaved || 66 || 13
|-
| [[Old Wagon Road]] || 0.27 || 0.44 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Quarry Trail]] || 0.08 || 0.12 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Ravine Trail]] || 0.14 || 0.22 || unpaved || 32 ||
|-
| [[Rognel Heights Trail]] || 0.43 || 0.7 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Sacred Grove Trail]] || 0.3 || 0.48 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Stream Trail]] || 0.49 || 0.79 || concrete, unpaved || 0 || 18
|-
| [[Thomas Jefferson Trail]] || 0.3 || 0.48 || unpaved || 0 ||
|-
| [[Upper Fort Trail]] || 0.15 || 0.24 || unpaved || 52 ||
|-
| [[Wetland Trail]] || 0.63 || 1.02 || unpaved || 511 || 18
|-
| [[Windsor Hills Conservation Trail]] || 0.93 || 1.49 || unpaved || 0 ||
|}
 
==Activities and events==
 
=== Carrie Murray Nature Center ===
Carrie Murray Nature Center is operated by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, and it offers environmental education programs for children, families and adults. Their programs serve an estimated 30,000 visitors annually, serving individuals and families as well as groups from schools, faith-based groups, recreation centers, and camps. During the school year, the nature center offers field trips and outreach programs for students of all ages including the Wild Haven forest immersion program for preschool-age children. They also offer summer camps, public programs, special events, and volunteer opportunities.
 
=== Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School ===
[https://www.outwardboundchesapeake.org Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School] (CBOBS) is an educational nonprofit that operates one of its two campuses inside Gwynns Falls Leakin Park. Their character education programs focus on teaching social emotional learning (SEL) skills to middle and high school youth, with programs available for educators, professional teams, and veterans as well. CBOBS has served nearly 100,000 students since being established in 1986, over 90% of which receive some form of scholarship to attend Outward Bound. Programs range from one-day high ropes teambuilding to multi-week wilderness expeditions taking students backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing or sea kayaking across the Chesapeake Bay Region.
 
=== Second Sundays in the park ===
[http://calslivesteam.org Chesapeake & Allegheny Live Steamers] operates a miniature steam-powered railroad with 3,400 feet of track, and provides free rides every second Sunday, April through November.<ref>[http://www.calslivesteam.org/ Chesapeake & Allegheny Live Steamers.] Chesapeake & Allegheny Stream Preservation Society (September 7, 2010).</ref> On those days the [https://friendsofgwynnsfallsleakinpark.org Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park] provide information, family-friendly activities, and visits to the historic structures. The Carrie Murray Nature Center is also open for visitors.
 
=== Baltimore Herb Festival ===
A group of volunteers who had been active in the fight against the expressway decided to conduct the [http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com/ Baltimore Herb Festival] as an annual event in the park, with proceeds going towards its maintenance and preservation.<ref>“Mary Louise Wolf, 75, Engineer Who Founded Local Herb Festival,” Rasmussen, Frederick N. The Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 10 Dec 1998.</ref> The first festival, held in 1987, proved successful in attracting a large crowd, but it ended in tragedy when lightning from an abrupt thunderstorm struck the chapel where many had taken refuge, injuring several and taking one life.<ref>“NPA Official Hit by Lightning Dies in Hospital,” The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md]25 May 1987: 1D.</ref><ref>“2nd Herb Festival Downplays '87 Tragedy,” Kladko, Brian. The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 29 May 1988: 26.</ref> Despite this bittersweet inaugural event, the festival has continued to be held annually on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, drawing about 2,000 visitors to the park for the event, which features herb and plant vendors, displays by area organizations, food, and musical entertainment.<ref>“The Spice of Life: Aromatic Festival in Baltimore Park Attracts Herb Enthusiasts,” Kim Chappell Special to the Washington Post, May 31, 1990.</ref><ref>“Leakin Park to Host 'Largest Herb Event in the Country,’” Linda Lowe Morris'''.''' The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 20 May 1989. </ref>
 
=== Leakin Park Parkrun ===
Leakin Park Parkrun is a free weekly 5k run/walk held on Saturday mornings, starting at Winan's Meadow near Ben Cardin Pavilion<ref>{{cite web|title=Leakin Park parkrun|url=http://www.parkrun.us/leakinpark/|access-date=April 21, 2019|publisher=Friends of Gwynn's Falls/Leakin Park}}</ref>
 
=== Volunteer opportunities ===
The nonprofit organization [https://friendsofgwynnsfallsleakinpark.org Friends of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park (FOGFLP)] organizes volunteers to perform ongoing maintenance of the park, including daily trash collection, trail work, tree plantings and gardening. They also provide assistance by supplying maps to visitors, monitoring park usage, reporting conditions to Baltimore City Recreation & Parks, and much more. FOGFLP also sponsors annual activities such as the MLK Day of Service, the First Day Hike, seasonal hikes, and the Black Friday Hike.
 
== History ==
=== Establishing the parks: the Olmsted role ===
Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park traces its earliest history to a small tract near Edmondson and Hilton Avenuesavenues, designated in 1901 as the Gwynns Falls Reserve. In 1904, as the Citycity anticipated expanding its borders through annexation, the highly- regarded [[Olmsted Brothers]] firm proposed creating “stream"stream valley parks”parks" to protect distinctive watersheds like the Gwynns Falls from future development and secure them as natural preserves.<ref>Olmsted Brothers, (1904). "Report Upon the Development of Public Grounds for Greater Baltimore". (1904; reprintReprint by Friends of Maryland’sMaryland's Olmsted Parks & Landscapes).</ref> Over the next decades, the Olmsteds worked with the city in its acquisition of park land extending to Windsor Mill Road.
 
In 1926, following the 1918 annexation, the Citycity again commissioned the Olmsteds for a study of park needs to the year 1950.<ref>Olmsted Brothers, (1926). "Report and Recommendations on Park Extension for Baltimore". (1926; reprintReprint by Friends of Maryland’sMaryland's Olmsted Parks and Landscapes).</ref> This report recommended extending Gwynns Falls Park northward along the stream to the Citycity boundary. It also urged acquiring the valley of a tributary, the Dead Run, “considered by all who view it as one of the very best bits of scenery near Baltimore.”
 
In 1939 Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was again consulted, thisa timerequest to evaluate options forrename the use of the bequest of Baltimore lawyer J. Wilson Leakin for the establishment of a park in the name of his grandfather, a former Citycity mayor. The issue was politically contentious, as various sections of the city competed for selectionmade.<ref>{{Cite Olmstednews Jr.|date=June strongly recommended acquisition of the Winans Estate15, Crimea,1939 which included the valley of the Dead Run and the heights above, as “ so nearly in condition, just as it now is, to be a very beautiful and valuable park.”<ref>“F|title=F.L. Olmsted [Jr.] Is Enlisted in Park Problem: Expert Starts Survey Of Sites Proposed For Leakin Project: Expected To Make Report Soon To Municipal Art Society,” |pages=26 |work=[[The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, MdSun]]15 June 1939: 26. }}</ref><ref>“Final{{Cite news |date=June 1940 |title=Final Action Tonight On Leakin Park Site,” |pages=26 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite (1837-1995);news Baltimore,|last=Baumgart |first=Franklyn MdL. [Baltimore|date=June 1, Md] June 1940: 26.</ref><ref>|title=Crimea Estate as Leakin Park Site: Council Committee In 5-To-2 Vote For Dead Run Valley Tract: Selection Is Expected In Next Three Weeks,” Baumgart, Franklyn L.|pages=26 |work=[[The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, MdSun] 01 June 1940: 26.]}}</ref> The availabilityWinans ofEstate thewas Winans Estatepurchased for purchasethe aspark late asin the 1940s,<ref>{{Cite offerednews a|last=Kelly rare|first=Kelly, opportunityJacques for|date=November a21, park2015 acquisition|title=Architectural ofTreasures this size within the City limits. With purchasesNestled in 1941 and 1948, the City created Leakin Park,: theJacques nameKelly adhering toIn the bequest.Neighborhood Since|pages=A3 Gwynns|work=[[The FallsBaltimore andSun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Leakin Parksweb are contiguous, over time the City’s Department|title=Friends of RecreationOrianda andHouse Parks|url=https://friendsoforiandahouse.com/Links.html/ came|url-status=dead to|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026034950/https://friendsoforiandahouse.com/Links.html/ designate|archive-date=October the26, combined2014 parklands|access-date=December as29, Gwynns2020 Falls/Leakin Park|website=friendsoforiandahouse.com}}</ref>W. Edwardand Orser,it Thewas Gwynnsofficially Falls:renamed Leakin BaltimorePark Greenway toin the Chesapeakedecade Bayas (Charleston: History Press, 2008)</ref>well.
 
===The Winans Estate===
The Winans Estate, acquired to become Leakin Park, was property purchased by Thomas DeKay Winans in the 1850s. The son of B&O railroad builder Ross Winans, Thomas had accompanied his brother William to Russia in the 1840s to construct that country’s first railroad, connecting St. Petersburg and Moscow. While there, Thomas met and married his wife Celeste. Upon completion of the project, the Winans returned to the U.S. in the early 1850s with considerable wealth. Establishing their home as a city mansion, they purchased property in the countryside, naming their estate the Crimea and their country home Orianda—names evoking the Russia where they met. At Celeste’s request, the couple erected a chapel for the religious needs of the Irish workers on the estate. Sadly, Celeste died shortly after its completion in 1861.<ref>“Architectural Treasures Nestled in Leakin Park: Jacques Kelly In the Neighborhood,” Kelly, Jacques. The Baltimore Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md]21 Nov 2015: A.3.</ref><ref>[https://friendsoforiandahouse.com/Links.html/ Friends of Orianda House]: [accessed December 29, 2020]</ref>
 
Three structures in the park from the Winans era—the stone [https://friendsoforiandahouse.com/Links.html/ Orianda mansion] and carriage house and the wooden chapel--have been designated Baltimore City Landmarks; they are easily visible from the park’s Eagle Drive. The hillside and valley below also feature remnants from the Winans period, including the ruins of a mock fort and farm buildings, as well as an iron water wheel—one of the park’s most visited sites--apparently designed to pump water up to the mansion. These sites are accessible by hiking trails from Eagle Drive or from the Winans Meadow parking entrance along Franklintown Road.
 
=== Expressway threat ===
[[File:I-70 Park & Ride.png|thumb|I-70 [[Park_and_ride|Parkpark and Rideride]] seen from above in the direction of [[Interstate 695 (Maryland)|I-695.]]|272x272px]]
Shortly after the establishment of Leakin Park, itwas andthreatened adjacentin Gwynns Falls Park were threatened1971 when funding for the federal [[Interstate Highway System]] fueled localintroduced plans thatto envisionedcreate thea routehighway ofthrough anthe east-westpark.<ref>{{Cite bisectingnews their|last=Dilts lands|first=James P. |date=May As25, plans1971 developed|title=Expressway andDesign acquisitionHearing ofIs propertiesTonight got|pages=A9 underway,|work=[[The communityBaltimore activistsSun]]}}</ref> inAs variousplans communities acrossfor the Cityroad developed, community activists organized in opposition.<ref>{{Cite Anews group|last=Dilts committed|first=James toD. protecting|date=June the6, parks1971 took|title=The theChanging nameCity: ofWho VolunteersWants OpposedThe toExpressway? Leakin|pages=SD3 Park|work=[[The Expressway,Baltimore orSun]]}}</ref> VOLPE--theA acronymgroup acommitted playto onprotecting the nameparks oftook the federal Secretaryname of Transportation.<ref>ExpresswayVolunteers DesignOpposed Hearingto IsLeakin Tonight,”Park Dilts, James P. The SunExpressway (1837-1995VOLPE); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md]25 May 1971: A9</ref><ref>“The{{Cite Changingnews City:|date=December Who Wants The Expressway?” Dilts20, James D. The Sun (1837-1995);1972 |title=Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 06 June 1971: SD3</ref><ref>“Baltimore's Expressway Debate,” |pages=A12 |work=[[The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, MdSun] 20 Dec 1972: A12.]}}</ref> Taking their opposition to court, VOLPE won a partial victory in 1972 when federalit judge James R. Miller, Jr.,was ruled that provision for hearings on the park route had been “legally"legally insufficient”insufficient," and ordered newany onesfuture plans to allowtake in full consideration of the environmental impact ofthey themight highway planspose.<ref>“Leakin{{Cite news |last=Rehert |first=Isaac |date=January 25, 1972 |title=Leakin Park Expressway Given Its Day in Federal Court,” Rehert, Isaac'''.'''|pages=B1 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> (1837-1995);By Baltimore1980, Md.city [Baltimore,officials Md]reached 25the Jandecision 1972:to abandon the proposed route B1through the park.</ref>{{Cite Innews response,|last=Pietila a|first=Antero ''Baltimore''|date=May ''Sun''6, editorial1980 acknowledged|title=Funds theshort needfor to address transportation demandsLeakin, but1-83 wondered,Routes: “MustCity aFinance cityChief destroyCites parksInflation, dwellingsDrop andin businessesGas inTax orderRevenue to|pages=C1 accommodate|work=[[The theBaltimore automobile?”Sun]]}}</ref>
 
Protracted hearings and court proceedings due to the activism of expressway opponents had the effect of prolonging the roadway plans past funding deadlines.<ref>“Highway Men May Try Again for Leakin Route,” Dilts, James D'''.''' The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 30 June 1975: C14.</ref><ref>“Debate and Discussion: Leakin Park, a Disputed Highway Route,” Douglas S. Tawney, George L Scheper. The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 07 Feb 1976: A12.</ref> By 1980, with time to use or lose the funds pressing, City officials reached the decision to abandon the proposed route through the park.<ref>“Funds short for Leakin, 1-83 Routes: City Finance Chief Cites Inflation, Drop in Gas Tax Revenue,” Pietila, Antero. The Sun (1837-1995); Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 06 May 1980: C1.</ref>
 
=== Pipeline controversy ===
[[File:BGE pipeline relocation sign in Leakin Park..jpg|thumb|right|A sign explaining the BGE Granite gas pipeline relocation,. theThe map shows the new and old pipeline routes through the park.|372x372px]]
In 2013, a [[Baltimore Gas and Electric]] (BGE) plan to run a new natural gas pipeline for a {{Convert|2|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} distance through the park was made public. This line threatened a substantial number of the park's trees. BGE spokespersons explained the new line would replace an original one installed with park department permission in 1949, which was now facing considerable maintenance problems. However, a new line could not follow the existing route due to current environmental regulations protecting wetlands, so the proposed new route would run along the ridge near the southern border of the park.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Timothy B. |date=September 26, 2013 |title=Park Pipeline Stirs Furor: BGE Plans to Replace Aging Natural Gas Line that Runs through Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park |pages=A1 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> In an editorial on the controversy, ''The Baltimore Sun'' insisted that "BGE must work with the city and other stakeholders to find the least damaging route for a new gas line through the area."<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2013 |title=The Trees at Leakin Park: Our View: BGE Must Work With the City and Other Stakeholders to Find the Least Environmentally Damaging Route for a New Gas Pipeline through the Area |pages=A12 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> In response to the concerns raised, BGE agreed to consider an alternative northerly route through the park, following existing park roads, minimizing tree loss, and impacting fewer residences by its proximity to them. After four years of dialogue and studies of route feasibility, BGE began construction along the alternative route in 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=April 19, 2018 |title=BGE to Spend $31 Million to Replace Baltimore's First Gas Pipeline through Leakin Park |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> completing the work in the autumn of 2019. Following completion, 870 replacement trees were planted along edges of the corridor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Granite Pipeline Project |url=https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/granite-pipeline-project |access-date=December 28, 2020 |website=Department of Recreation & Parks|date=January 10, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Granite Pipeline Relocation |url=https://www.bge.com/SmartEnergy/InnovationTechnology/Pages/GranitePipelineRelocation.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527095810/https://www.bge.com/SmartEnergy/InnovationTechnology/Pages/GranitePipelineRelocation.aspx |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |website=BGE}}</ref>
 
and old pipeline routes through the park.|372x372px]]
In 2013 the Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park learned of a BGE plan to run a new natural gas pipeline for a 2-mile distance through the park, threatening a substantial number of the park’s trees. BGE spokespersons explained the new line would replace an original one installed with park department permission in 1949, which was now facing considerable maintenance problems. However, a new line could not follow the existing route due to current environmental regulations protecting wetlands, so the proposed new route would run along the ridge near the southern border of the park. Especially troubling to FOGFLP leaders was BGE’s requirement that the construction phase would entail a 75-foot clear-cut corridor requiring removal of a large number of the park’s finest trees, to be maintained at 40 feet afterwards for repair access and monitoring.<ref>“Park Pipeline Stirs Furor: BGE Plans to Replace Aging Natural Gas Line that Runs through Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park,” Wheeler, Timothy B. The Baltimore Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 26 September 2013: A.1</ref> In an editorial on the controversy, the Sun insisted that “BGE must work with the city and other stakeholders to find the least damaging route for a new gas line through the area.”<ref>“The Trees at Leakin Park: Our View: BGE Must Work With the City and Other Stakeholders to Find the Least Environmentally Damaging Route for a New Gas Pipeline through the Area,” The Baltimore Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 30 September 2013: A.12.</ref>
In response to the concerns raised, BGE agreed to consider an alternative northerly route through the park, following existing park roads, minimizing tree loss, and impacting fewer residences by its proximity to them. After four years of dialogue and studies of route feasibility, BGE began construction along the alternative route in 2018,<ref>“BGE to Spend $31 Million to Replace Baltimore's First Gas Pipeline through Leakin Park,” Colin Campbell, The Baltimore Sun, Apr 19, 2018.</ref> completing the work in the fall of 2019. Following completion, 870 replacement trees were planted along edges of the corridor.<ref>Baltimore City, Department of Recreation and Parks, “Granite Pipeline Project”: [accessed December 28, 2020]</ref><ref>GE web site: [https://www.bge.com/SmartEnergy/InnovationTechnology/Pages/GranitePipelineRelocation.aspx Granite Pipeline Relocation]: [accessed December 28, 2020]</ref> As Sun writer Tim Wheeler observed in 2013, “One of the largest urban woodland parks in the eastern United States appears destined to become less wooded.”<ref>“Park Pipeline Stirs Furor: BGE Plans to Replace Aging Natural Gas Line that Runs through Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park,” Wheeler, Timothy B. The Baltimore Sun; Baltimore, Md. [Baltimore, Md] 26 September 2013: A.1</ref>
=== Sewer Line Access Roads ===
[[File:Septic sewer repair in Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park.png|thumb|Aerial view of septic sewer repair in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park|270x270px]]
Baltimore City and County, for the most part, have gravity fed sewers, meaning the trunk lines for the sewers go through the stream valleys, including the Gwynns Falls and Dead Run. These sewers were built in the early 20th century, and by the late 1980's their deterioration was causing problems with the water quality in the streams.<ref>{{cite web| title= Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Surface Water, History of the System |url=https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/pw-bureaus/water-wastewater/surface/history|publisher=Baltimore City Department of Public Works|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref> The City of Baltimore entered into a consent decree with the [[United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency|U.S. EPA]], [[United_States_Department_of_Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]], and the [[Maryland Department of the Environment]] on September 30, 2002 to address sanitary sewer overflows.<ref>{{cite web|title=Consent Decree: City of Baltimore, Maryland, Sewer Overflows Settlement|url=https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/consent-decree-city-baltimore-maryland-sewer-overflows-settlement|publisher=[[United States District Court for the District of Maryland]]|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Modified Consent Decree|url=https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Modified%20Consent%20Decree.pdf|publisher=[[United States District Court for the District of Maryland]]|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref> While promising a future with better water quality in the city's urban streams and harbor, it has meant the clearing of mature forest to create access roads in the millrace area of the park. This is the area along the east side of the Gwynns Falls between Windsor Mill Road and the Dead Run, continuing along the south side of the Falls after its confluence with Dead Run almost to the Franklintown Road bridge. In all a path approximately 5,000 linear feet (1.5 km) long and 25 feet wide (7.6 m) has been cleared.<ref>{{cite web|title=From GPS survey measurements, depicted on OpenStreetMap. | url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/39.30838/-76.68674 |access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref> As of March 1st, 2021 CCTV inspections of the sewer lines in Leakin Park were ongoing.<ref>{{cite web|title= Sanitary Contract 977 (Improvements to the Gwynns Falls Sewershed Collection System- Area C) |url=https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/SC%20977%20-%20Community%20Outreach%20March%202021.pdf |access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref>
 
=== Overcoming a stigma ===
At the end of the 20th century, Leakin Park had a negative reputation connected with crime. It was nicknamed "the city's largest unregistered graveyard,"<ref name="Sun bodies story">{{cite news|last1=Hermann|first1=Peter|title=Urban oasis turns into a graveyard Slaying victims are found frequently in city's Leakin Park|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-07-05/news/1997186003_1_leakin-build-the-park-gwynns-falls|access-date=20 November 2014|work=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> and a ghoulish webpage was created to track victims' bodies found in the park.<ref name="Bodies of Leakin Park">{{cite web|last=Worthing|first=Ellen|title=The Bodies of Leakin Park|url=http://chamspage.blogspot.com/2010/11/the-bodies-of-leakin-park-baltimore-md.html|publisher=[[Blogspot]]|date=January 6, 2011|access-date=November 21, 2014}}</ref>
 
=== Murders ===
But in truth, the park's 1,216 acres are a safe and restorative place to hike in the woods, bike on paved trails, and enjoy playgrounds. Molly Gallant, a planner with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, led successful efforts to change the park's reputation, starting in 2011 with a community-based [[campout]] in the park and the closure of dead-end access roads. The Gwynns Falls Trail (which extends from the terminus of I-70 to the Inner Harbor) is a model urban hiking and biking trail that runs around and through GFLP, welcoming cyclists and hikers from around the region. In the words of [[Rona Kobell]], a former ''Sun'' reporter writing in ''[[Slate (website)|Slate]],''<ref>Kobell, Rona (November 17, 2014). "Where West Baltimore Brings Its Dead". [[Slate (website)|''Slate'']]. Retrieved November 21, 2014.</ref>
More than 75 deceased individuals have been identified and found scattered throughout the park between 1946 and 2017. Most incidents are recorded as murders in [[Baltimore Sun|''The Baltimore Sun'']] and the ''[[Baltimore City Paper]]''.
Easy access to the park made it a convenient disposal site for murders "that happened, often, not in the park but near it."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kobell |first=Rona |date=2014-11-17 |title=Leakin Park, Where Serial's Victim (Like 66 Others) Was Found |url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/11/leakin-park-in-baltimore-is-featured-in-serial-and-the-wire.html |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blood at the root: The bodies of Leakin Park |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/citypaper/bcp-blood-at-the-root-the-bodies-of-leakin-park-20141202-photogallery.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518191114/https://www.baltimoresun.com/citypaper/bcp-blood-at-the-root-the-bodies-of-leakin-park-20141202-photogallery.html |archive-date=2022-05-18 |access-date=2022-05-18 |website=Baltimore Sun |date=December 2, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
 
==== Attempts to overcome the stigma ====
{{quote|... a city was and is willing to embrace a wild, wide space inside its boundaries. So Leakin Park is also about the elderly Koreans who gather chestnuts every fall, about the middle-aged black women who began playing tennis there after [[Arthur Ashe]] won the [[U.S. Open (tennis)|U.S. Open]], about the truly [[outsider art]] gallery along some of the park's trails.|author=|title=|source=}}
Leakin Park has garnered a negative reputation as a place where the remains of local suicide and murder victims are often found. Because of this association, the park began to be morbidly called by locals "the city's largest unregistered graveyard" and "Baltimore's largest open-air cemetery".<ref name="Sun bodies story">{{cite news |last1=Hermann |first1=Peter |date=July 5, 1997 |title=Urban oasis turns into a graveyard Slaying victims are found frequently in city's Leakin Park |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-07-05/news/1997186003_1_leakin-build-the-park-gwynns-falls |access-date=November 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123105024/https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/39.30838/-76.68674 |archive-date=November 23, 2014}}</ref> In 2011, the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks led efforts to change the park's reputation with the closure of dead-end access roads.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}
 
== References ==
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically -->
{{Reflist}}
 
== External links ==
* [https://friendsofgwynnsfallsleakinpark.org Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park]
* [http://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/ParksTrails/GwynnsFallsLeakinPark.aspx Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park] Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks
* [httpshttp://friendsofgwynnsfallsleakinparkwww.gwynnsfallstrail.org/images/pics/GFTMapForWeb.pdf FriendsGwynns Falls Trail] Map of Gwynns Falls Trail with Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park]
* [https://www.carriemurraynaturecenter.org Carrie Murray Nature Center]
* [http://www.gwynnsfallstrail.org/images/pics/GFTMapForWeb.pdf Gwynns Falls Trail] Map of Gwynns Falls Trail with Leakin and Gwynns Falls Parks
* [https://www.carriemurraynaturecenteroutwardboundchesapeake.org CarrieChesapeake Bay MurrayOutward NatureBound CenterSchool]
* [https://Archive.org/details/nature-art-in-the-park-baltimore/ Nature Art in the Park] image collection at the Internet Archive
*[https://www.outwardboundchesapeake.org Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School]
* [http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com/ Baltimore Herb Festival]
* [http://explore.baltimoreheritage.org/items/show/30 Crimea Estate at Leakin Park] at Explore Baltimore Heritage
* [http://calslivesteam.org Chesapeake & Allegheny Live Steamers]
* [https://friendsoforiandahouse.com/Links.html/ Orianda mansion]
 
{{Protected areas of Maryland}}
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