Friends of Patterson Park Courtyard

Patterson Park is a 137-acre public park that is within easy walking distance of more than 10 different neighborhoods, representing one of the most diverse geographic areas in Baltimore City. The park also serves all Baltimore City residents as one of the largest green spaces with unique resources. Friends of Patterson Park works to ensure the park’s vitality as a treasured green space and encourages its use and appreciation by neighbors, visitors, and future generations.

While Patterson Park is a relatively large space, as a public park it serves a wide variety of needs including recreation and sports and relaxation, but not all of the park’s spaces are compatible with an intentional space for reflection and quiet. Having a space set slightly separate from the park as a whole would allow for these activities to be more easily built into programming and everyday park usage. This site would be a courtyard space at the new Friends of Patterson Park building, intended specifically for community gathering and reflection. Although this site will be secured at times for safety, this Sacred Place will have regular open hours to the public in accordance with Patterson Park’s overall Visitor Experience Plan.

The design is a naturalized garden which is outside of the fenced courtyard at Friends of Patterson Park, featuring several rain gardens. The inspiration is to provide habitat, stormwater treatment and a peaceful setting, accessible to the public.  Two hydrangeas mark the portal as the path connects to the main entrance of the Friends of Patterson Park headquarters. A brick path brings visitors to the Nature Sacred bench. A connecting stepping stone path (with stones salvaged from the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks), invites visitors through the garden and around the building. The location of the Nature Sacred bench is both set apart from the main entrance to the courtyard to allow for solitude and contemplation, but is also visible from the street. 

Design Team:

Zolna Russell, Zach Baier, Joe Ignatius and Gabrielle Shelton, Floura Teeter Landscape Architects

The final design.

Volunteers from RKK Engineering help with the plantings. Photo credit: Harry Connolly.

Cutting the ribbon for the building! Photo credit: Harry Connolly.