Cromwell Valley Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cromwell Valley Park |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Rural park |
| Location | Baltimore County, Maryland, United States |
| Area | 426 acres (172 ha) (1.7 km²) |
| Created | 1993 |
| Operated by | Baltimore County Dept. of Recreation & Parks |
| Status | Open all year |
Cromwell Valley Park is a cool public park located just north of Baltimore City. It opened in 1993 and covers 426 acres of beautiful farmland. The park has open fields, thick woods, pretty gardens, and fruit orchards. This mix of landscapes makes it a perfect home for lots of local animals. You can often spot birds of prey, like hawks, hunting for mice and rabbits. White-tailed deer, red foxes, and many songbirds also live here. With miles of trails, it's a popular spot for hiking, watching birds, and taking amazing photos.
Contents
Discovering Cromwell Valley Park's Past
The first European settlers arrived in this valley in the early 1700s. Families like the Ravens, Stansburys, Towsons, and Risteaus were among the first to make their homes here. In 1773, William Cromwell married into the Ravens family, and the valley was named after him.
How Lime Helped Farms Grow
Later in the 1700s, farmers learned that adding "lime" to their soil made crops grow better. Lime is a substance that helps make soil healthier. Cromwell Valley became a major center for making this special farm lime. This was because marble, a type of rock, was easy to find nearby in places like Cockeysville.
Workers would heat this marble in large ovens called kilns. These kilns were powered by wood fires. The heat changed the marble into useful lime. You can still find the old stone remains of several of these kilns throughout the park today. They are a cool reminder of the valley's farming history.
How the Park Land Was Formed
The land that makes up Cromwell Valley Park today was bought from three different owners. This happened over two years, starting in March 1993.
- Willow Grove Farm: The eastern part of the park, called Willow Grove Farm, was bought from the family of Robert Merrick. He was a rich local banker.
- Sherwood Farm: The middle section, Sherwood Farm, was bought from the Sherwood family. They had lived and farmed there for many generations. They sold fruits and raised animals.
- Fellowship Farm: The westernmost part of the park, Fellowship Farm, used to be a Christmas tree farm. It was owned by Franklin Eck.
Most of the money to buy this land came from a special program called "Program Open Space" in Maryland. This program helps protect natural areas for everyone to enjoy.
Willow Grove Nature Education Center
The Willow Grove Nature Education Center is a great place to learn about nature. It's located in the old Willow Grove Farm house, which has been fixed up. The center offers fun programs about nature, farming, and the history of the area. They also teach about how to protect our environment.
Inside, you can see live amphibians and reptiles. There are also hands-on displays about natural history. The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks runs this cool education center.
The Fun Children's Garden
The Children's Garden is a special part of the park. It's about half an acre in size. In the spring and fall, school groups visit to plant and harvest different fruits and vegetables. It's a great way to learn where our food comes from!
During the summer, kids from local camps come to the garden. They love to watch the frogs, butterflies, and birds that visit. These animals are attracted by the native plants and a small pond in the garden. The Children's Garden is located right next to the Education Center.
- Official websites
- Cromwell Valley Park Official Website: http://www.cromwellvalleypark.org/
