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Baker Park: A Historic and Cultural
Gem in Frederick, Maryland

If you want to visit and learn about Maryland’s history and culture, check out Baker Park. Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Frederick, Baker Park is a 58-acre community park that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Here are some reasons to visit Baker Park and what you can expect to see and do there.

Picture Cultural Gem in Frederick

History

Baker Park was established in 1927 by Joseph Dill Baker, a prominent lawyer, banker, and philanthropist who donated 44 acres of land to the city of Frederick to create a public park. Baker envisioned a community garden serving as a cultural and recreational center and a memorial to his son, James G. Baker, who died in World War I. Over the years, Baker Park has expanded to include more land and facilities, such as a carillon, a band shell, tennis courts, a public swimming pool, playgrounds, and a lake.

Picture Cultural Gem in Frederic
Cultural Gem in Frederick

Cultural Significance

Baker Park is a place for leisure and relaxation and a venue for cultural events and celebrations. The park hosts some of Frederick’s most popular events throughout the year. One of them is Frederick’s Fourth, an annual July 4 Independence Day celebration that features live music, food vendors, games, and fireworks. The park also hosts the Summer Concert Series, which invites everyone to enjoy free live music from various genres every Sunday evening from June to August. Other events that take place in Baker Park include festivals, art shows, farmers markets, and charity walks.

Points of Interest

Baker Park has many attractions that appeal to different tastes and preferences. One of the park’s most notable features is the Joseph D. Baker Bell Tower and Carillon, a 70-foot tall structure that houses 49 bells that play melodies every hour. The tower was built in 1941 as a tribute to Joseph D. Baker and his family. Another attraction is Culler Lake, a scenic lake home to ducks, geese, turtles, and fish. The lake has a fountain, a bridge, and a gazebo that add to its charm. Visitors can also enjoy jogging and biking along the lake’s paths or rent a paddle boat to explore the water.

Baker Park has plenty of options for those who love sports and recreation. The park has several baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and soccer fields open for public use. The park also has a public swimming pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers swimming lessons and water aerobics classes. The park has multiple playgrounds designed for different age groups and abilities for children. The gardens have swings, slides, climbing structures, sandboxes, and water features.

Cultural Gem in Frederick Picture

Interesting Facts

  • Baker Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Frederick Historic District.
  • The band shell in Baker Park was built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal agency that provided jobs during the Great Depression.
  • The carillon in Baker Park is one of only four carillons in Maryland and one of about 200 in North America.
  • Culler Lake was named after Lloyd Culler, a former mayor of Frederick who was instrumental in developing the park.
  • Baker Park has a dog park where owners can let their dogs run off-leash in a fence

Advice for Visitors

If you are planning to visit Baker Park, here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable:

When is it open?

Baker Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The swimming pool is available from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

What to wear?

Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and the activities you plan to do. Wear sunscreen and hats to protect yourself from the sun. Bring water bottles and snacks to stay hydrated and energized.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes! Baker Park is an excellent place for families with children of all ages. There are plenty of things to see and do for kids, such as playing at the playgrounds, feeding the ducks at the lake, or watching the fireworks on July 4.

When is it best to visit?

Anytime! Baker Park is beautiful all year round and offers different attractions and events depending on the season. Spring is a lovely time to see the flowers bloom and enjoy the mild weather. Summer is ideal for swimming at the pool and listening to live music at the band shell. Fall is a colorful time to admire the foliage and attend the festivals. Winter is a cozy time to see the snow and the holiday lights.

Driving directions from Hampton Inn and Suites to Castle Floor Epoxy Frederick

Via W 14th St. 32 min. 90 miles.

Hampton Inn & Suites Frederick-Fort Detrick: 1565 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702, United States

  1. Continue to Opossumtown Pike
  2. Take Motter Ave to W 14th St
  3. Turn left onto W 14th St
  4. Turn left onto MD-355 N/N Market St
  5. Turn left

Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums: 1611 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States

  1. Head south toward MD-355 S/N Market St
  2. Turn right onto MD-355 S/N Market St
  3. Turn right onto W 13th St
  4. Continue straight onto Fairview Ave
  5. Turn right onto Rosemont Ave
  6. The destination will be on the left

Schifferstadt Architectural Museum: 1110 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD 21701, United States

  1. Head southeast on Rosemont Ave toward W 2nd St
  2. Rosemont Ave turns slightly left and becomes Dill Ave
  3. Turn right onto N Bentz St
  4. The destination will be on the right

Baker Park Bandshell: 21 N Bentz St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States

  1. Head south on N Bentz St toward W Church St
  2. Turn left onto W Church St
  3. The destination will be on the left

Downtown Frederick Partnership: 19 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States

  1. Head east on E Church St toward N Maxwell Ave
  2. Turn right onto N Carroll St

Carroll Creek Linear Park: Frederick, MD 21701, USA

  1. Head south on S Carroll St toward E All Saints St
  2. Turn left onto E All Saints St
  3. E All Saints St turns right and becomes East St
  4. The destination will be on the right

Frederick Visitor Center: 151 East St, Frederick, MD 21701, United States

  1. Take E South St to S Carroll St
  2. Continue on S Carroll St to S Market St
  3. Turn left onto S Market St
  4. Continue on Stadium Dr to your destination

Nymeo Field At Harry Grove Stadium: 21 Stadium Dr, Frederick, MD 21703, United States

  1. Take Stadium Dr to New Design Rd
  2. Turn right onto New Design Rd
  3. Continue on Executive Way. Take Macon St to Proclamation Pl

Castle Floor Epoxy – Frederick: 7180 Proclamation Pl, Frederick, MD 21703, United States

  1. You have arrived at your destination

Driving directions from Baker Park to Castle Floor Epoxy

Via I-270 S. 5.8 miles in 10 minutes.

  1. Get on US-15 S (4 min, 1.2 mi)
    1. Head west on W 2nd St toward College Ave (0.9 mi)
    2. Use the left lane to turn left onto Rosemont Ave (0.2 mi)
    3. Turn left to merge onto US-15 S toward I-70/I-270 (0.2 mi)
  2. Continue on US-15 S. Take I-270 S to MD-85 S in Ballenger Creek. Take exit 31B from I-270 S (4 min, 3.6 mi)
    1. Merge onto US-15 S (1.2 mi)
    2. Continue onto US-40 E (0.5 mi)
    3. Keep left to continue on I-270 S (1.5 mi)
    4. Take exit 31B for MD-85 S toward Buckeystown (0.4 mi)
  3. Follow MD-85 S and Executive Way to Proclamation Pl (3 min, 1.0 mi)
    1. Continue onto MD-85 S, pass by McDonald’s on the right in 0.4 mi (0.7 mi)
    2. Turn right onto Executive Way (0.3 mi)
    3. Turn right onto Macon St (85 ft)
    4. Turn left onto Proclamation Pl, destination will be on the right (174 ft)