Residents of Ellicott City are never stuck in the suburbs. The town has plenty of countryside to get your outdoor fix. Here are five favorite parks residents frequent.
Centennial Park
Man-made Centennial Lake is the focal point of this 337-acre park. Visitors enjoy fishing in the lake, walking or jogging along the 2.6-mile paved trail, picnicking, taking advantage of the many sports fields and tennis courts, and wildlife watching. Look out for beavers, white-tailed deer, turtles, herons, and more.
Patapsco Valley State Park
The 14,000-acre Patapsco Valley State Park is situated along the Patapsco River. It is Maryland’s first state park. There are six different areas to the park, each featuring distinct opportunities. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, and camping. There are also historic sites located in the Orange Grove Flour Mill area. You will also find Cascade Falls and two swinging bridges that cross the Patapsco River.
Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook Park is a local gem. Locals come to this 77-acre park to relax, play sports, or enjoy a picnic. There is a 2.5-mile walkway that circles the park. The Howard Country Club collects information on all of the flora fauna in the region and organizes them by location. In Meadowbrook Park, you will find a diverse range of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, and snakes, plus red foxes, woodchucks, beavers, and deer.
Worthington Off Leash Dog Park
While Ellicott City has many parks that are dog-friendly, there is only one designated off-leash dog park in town. Worthington offers a large area for your furry friends to run and play. It is separated into a lower and upper area. The lower area is 2.7 acres and includes a separate part for smaller, more timid, or elderly dogs. The park is surrounded by 6-foot high fences to protect your dog. Unlike other dog parks, Worthington requires a permit to access—making it cleaner and more enjoyable for you and your pup. You can purchase a daily permit for $5 on site, or pay an annual $40 fee for unlimited access.
Font Hill Wetlands Park
Font Hill Wetlands Park is more of a “pocket park.” At 26 acres, it’s smaller than the other local parks, but provides abundant opportunities to immerse yourself in the unique wetlands ecosystem. The park features a winding path that takes you through ponds and marshes. Wildlife is plentiful: 104 bird species, 53 dragonfly species, 7 species of amphibians, plus a range of mammals. Come here for a quiet stroll, enjoy the peace of nature, and forget about the bustle of the city for a while.
