Tag Archive for: doulas of baltimore

Parks in Baltimore | A Parent’s Guide

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Heading out as the weather warms? Parks in Baltimore are easy to find but which ones are best for your little one? As Postpartum support for families, we’re no strangers to visiting local parks with newborns! We pulled together our favorite parks with some pro tips and key features in this complete guide to Baby and Toddler-friendly parks.

New mother in Baltimore strolls parks during the springtime with her newborn baby during postpartum.

Newborn/Infant-Friendly Parks in Baltimore

1. Patterson Park

Address: 27 S Patterson Park Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231
Neighborhood: Patterson Park
Key Features: Baby swings, toddler playground, spray pool (seasonal), shaded paths.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Visit the spray pool weekday mornings to avoid crowds.
  • Grab a drink or snacks at Corner Juice Bar (just outside the park).
  • Stroller hack: Use the eastern entrance (Lombard & Linwood) for quick playground access.

Safety Features:

  • Fenced playground areas with soft flooring.
  • Shaded benches near play zones for easy supervision.
  • Seasonal restrooms available.

2. Cylburn Arboretum

Address: 4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
Neighborhood: Cylburn
Key Features: Gardens, gentle trails, nature programs.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Bring a baby carrier for unpaved garden paths (strollers work on main trails).
  • Visit in spring for blooming magnolias and kid-friendly birdwatching.
  • Pack snacks and water bottles!

Safety Features:

  • Wide, shaded paths minimize sun exposure.
  • Quiet atmosphere with minimal traffic.
  • Limited restrooms (plan ahead!).

3. Lake Roland Park

Address: 1000 Lakeside Dr, Baltimore, MD 21210
Neighborhood: Roland Park
Key Features: Lake boardwalk, nature center, accessible trails.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Check the Nature Center calendar for toddler-friendly events like “Nature Book Club”.
  • Park at the Robert E. Lee Park entrance for stroller-friendly boardwalk access.
  • Feed ducks responsibly (bring birdseed, not bread!).

Safety Features:

  • Boardwalk has railings and is stroller-safe.
  • Restrooms at the Nature Center (open daily).

4. Oregon Ridge Park

Address: 13401 Beaver Dam Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Neighborhood: Cockeysville
Key Features: Nature center, meadows, hiking trails.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Weekdays are quieter—ideal for toddler explorers.
  • Bring a picnic blanket for the meadow area (ample space for crawlers!).
  • Skip the steeper trails; stick to the Beech Tree Trail.

Safety Features:

  • Play areas are away from water hazards.
  • Restrooms at the Nature Center (open daily).
  • Wildlife sightings common—keep little ones close!

Nonbinary parents join their baby in the sunshine at parks in Baltimore, Maryland.

Older Baby/Toddler-Friendly Parks in Baltimore

5. Druid Hill Park

Address: 3001 East Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217
Neighborhood: Druid Hill
Key Features: Maryland Zoo, splash pads, playgrounds.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Arrive at the zoo by 10 AM to beat crowds and heat.
  • Use the Jones Falls Trail (stroller-friendly) to connect to nearby parks.
  • Splash pad opens Memorial Day—bring towels, sunscreen, and water shoes!

Safety Features:

  • Playgrounds have soft turf and fencing.
  • Restrooms and changing stations at the zoo.

6. Gwynns Falls Trail

Address: Main trailhead at 1900 Annapolis Rd, Baltimore, MD 21230
Neighborhood: Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
Key Features: Streamside trails, playgrounds, bridges.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Start at the Winans Meadow Trailhead (easy parking, playground nearby).
  • Avoid trails after heavy rain—muddy and slippery!
  • Pack a carrier for younger babies—some paths are narrow.

Safety Features:

  • Guardrails near streams in most sections.
  • Limited restrooms.

7. Leakin Park

Address: 1900 Eagle Dr, Baltimore, MD 21207
Neighborhood: Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
Key Features: Carter Memorial Playground, Winans Meadow Loop.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • The playground is shaded in the afternoon—perfect for summer.
  • Park near Carter Playground for quick access to restrooms.
  • Try the Winans Meadow Loop for a stroller-friendly nature walk.

Safety Features:

  • Playground has rubberized flooring and low-height equipment.
  • Ample parking and well-marked trails.

8. West Shore Park

Address: 401 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Neighborhood: Inner Harbor
Key Features: Open lawn, events, Inner Harbor proximity.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Combine with a visit to the National Aquarium.
  • Weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded.
  • No shade? Bring a pop-up tent for baby!

Safety Features:

  • Flat, paved surfaces ideal for new walkers.
  • Restrooms at nearby.

9. Federal Hill Park

Address: 300 Warren Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
Neighborhood: Federal Hill
Key Features: Playground, harbor views, historic site.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Use the ramp on Warren Ave for stroller access to the summit.
  • Grab post-park pizza at Matthew’s Pizza (oldest in the U.S.!).
  • Sunset views are stunning but crowded—opt for mornings.

Safety Features:

No matter what park you choose, getting outside with baby is always a great idea! Fresh air and sunshine are great for your little one and movement like walking with a stroller helps you as well. With parks in Baltimore that feature playgrounds, splash pads, and even a zoo, there isn’t a shortage of things to do (and these aren’t even all the parks in Baltimore!)

Did we miss your favorite park? Drop us a comment!

A Letter from Doulas of Baltimore

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Greetings DOB family, 

You may have noticed that we have been pretty quiet over the past year. As doulas and entrepreneurs we are well-versed in being flexible and living in the moment, while always keeping an eye on planning for the future. All of that still did not quite prepare us for living through a pandemic. Like so many small businesses (and families), the past year did not look anything like we had planned for. We hunkered down with our own families, continuously evaluated and reevaluated how we could be of service to expectant parents, and simply made it through as best we could. 

We remain committed to what we do, while adapting to how we do it. We want to share with you how we shifted our business over the last year, and what we are planning for the rest of 2021 and into the future. 

In the early days of March 2020, while watching and listening to former clients and friends who work in medicine and epidemiology, we decided not to wait for the inevitable decision to be made for us and opted to suspend all in-person support and classes. 

We set  to work immediately, transitioning doula clients to virtual support and fashioning internet-based childbirth classes and parenting workshops. We knew that between the news cycle and long days of working from home, we could not expect people to have the same attention span. We distilled our usual content down to the truly “need to know” information and provided students with videos and other supplemental materials. 

Our classes also dealt with the most pressing issue: navigating the obstacles of COVID. How can we help make this a less stressful situation? As is always our approach, we focused on evidence-based information and provided straight talk about birth and postpartum care in the pandemic. 

We did not want to add more uncertainty into the lives of our clients (or our doulas) by going back and forth between in-person and virtual doula support. We knew that the situation was ever-changing, so with few exceptions, we have only been offering entirely virtual support over the last year. 

At the end of 2020, we did not know what the future held for DOB. Like many other small business owners, we asked ourselves, how much longer can we do this? We had some serious and difficult conversations. In the end, our commitment to Baltimore families felt bigger than our struggles. Thanks in part to grants and other pandemic related support, we’ve been able to take the time to think about what we offer and how we offer it, and plan for the future. 

The real turning point came this spring, when our doulas were able to be vaccinated and hospitals began allowing an additional professional support person in labor and delivery again.  

We have fine-tuned our popular virtual Complete Childbirth and Baby 101 classes. We are planning a couple of limited-size in-person classes later in the year. With hospitals allowing professional doula support in addition to a partner, we have doulas who are fully vaccinated and are available to attend a birth in person for this summer. And our in-home doula support and newborn care has been re-worked with COVID-19 safety protocols. 

Take care and thank you for continuing to support us as we help Baltimore families thrive,

Emily & Debbie