FT 14

A Hike Along the Gwynns Falls Trail

The Gwynns Falls Trail is a continuous recreation and open space corridor that connects over 30 neighborhoods in west and southwest Baltimore with stream valley parks, unique urban environmental features, cultural resources and historic landmarks, originally proposed by the Olmsted Landscape Architectural firm in 1904. Local residents and visitors are able to bike, hike, roller blade, fish in the stream, picnic, watch for birds and other wildlife, undertake environmental education activities, find solitude and enjoy nature, host community festivals and meet friends and neighborhood residents along the Trail.  The 15-mile Trail travels through an environmentally valuable urban greenway park in west and southwest Baltimore City along the Gwynns Falls stream valley and is one leg of the National Baltimore Heritage District. The greenway now connects over 2000 acres of publicly owned parkland within the Gwynns Falls stream valley and includes one of the largest urban woodland park in the Eastern United States - Gwynns Falls and Leakin Parks. These parks alone encompass 1200 acres and house approximately 20 miles of additional paths that wander up and down the valley slopes. These paths are wonderful for hiking and are especially unique in an urban setting.  This hike will focus on the historic mill race section of the trail where we can examine engineering from 200 years ago, as well as more modern sewer and storm water systems and consider design alternatives.  This will be an easy two mile hike and include a picnic lunch.