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Located in the Riverside neighborhood of South Baltimore, Leone-Riverside Park is a busy park that is clearly loved by those that live in the area. The park gets one half of its name after Baltimore Councilman Dominic Leon Jr. and the other half because of the park’s former view of the Patapsco River. Although the view of the Patapsco River is now obscured, the park is still a beautiful setting that is a real asset to the neighborhood that surrounds it.

Leone-Riverside Park is relatively small at only 17 acres. Despite its small size, the park has a lot of recreational amenities on the south side of the park including a swimming pool, ball fields, a basketball court, a playground and stationary exercise equipment. It even has a makeshift skate park. Beyond recreational amenities, the north side of the park has beautiful lawns, well maintained gardens, a pavilion and some historical features.

Leone-Riverside Park is similar in design to Patterson Park only on a much smaller scale. Also like Patterson Park, Leone-Riverside Park is heavily used for recreation, dog walking and for events. There is one major downside to this park despite its beautiful setting – the south side of the park is parallel to I-95 which brings considerable traffic noise to parts of the the park. While the noise detracts somewhat from this otherwise peaceful park, Leone-Riverside Park remains an important asset to the Riverside neighborhood.

BRIEF HISTORY OF LEON-RIVERSIDE PARK

During the War of 1812, on the site that is now the park stood Fort Lookout – a circular earthen artillery redoubt. The fort had panoramic views of the Patapsco River and several forts along the shores of the Paptapsco including Fort McHenry. Seven navy cannons were erected at the fort serving as an important defense of Baltimore. On September 13, 1814, the British landed troops in Baltimore and bombarded Fort McHenry and Fort Lookout with naval artillery. Fort Lookout returned cannon fire and prevented the landing of 1,250 British soldiers near Port Covington.

In 1862, three acres of land were purchased to create what is now known as Leone-Riverside Park. Another 14 acres were added in 1873. The name Riverside Park was adopted in 1873 and the name Leone was added in 1976.

LEONE-RIVERSIDE PARK MASTER PLAN

In 2010, the Leone-Riverside Park Master Plan outlined a series of proposed improvements to the park at a total estimated cost of $4 – $5.5 million. The most costly renovation recommendations included a substantial renovation of the pool house and pool, renovation of the small field house along with improvements to the adjacent baseball fields and basketball court and improvements to the historical part of the park such as improved lighting, pathways and benches.

A February 18, 2020 article published at southbmore.com set out some of the progress being made in implementing that master plan. The article indicated that the historic side of the park received lighting, pathway and bench upgrades prior to large events in 2012 in remembrance of the War of 1812. Later in 2020, construction is set to begin on renovation of the currently unusable field house and improvements to the ball fields. The field house renovation will add much needed bathrooms, concession and storage space while the ball fields will receive new fencing, bleachers and dog water fountain. The basketball court will also be upgraded. A recent purchase of a small triangular portion of land on the south end of the park will allow for expansion of the ball fields and addition of soccer and/or football fields.

The one area of renovation that has not yet been addressed is renovation of the pool house and pool. Both of these structures need substantial improvement as the pool house is only partially used and is an eyesore and the pool decking is in need of repair. Unfortunately, it appears that these improvements will not be made for the foreseeable future.

AMENITIES

Recreational amenities are concentrated on the southern half of the park and passive and historical amenities on the north side with each section of the park connected by a series of lawns and walkways.

Recreational Amenities

1. Pool House and Pool

In the middle of the park is a pool house and pool. The main pool is large with a smaller children’s pool sitting right beside it. As mentioned in the above Master Plan section of this profile, the pool and pool house are in need or renovation. Despite that fact, the pool is certainly functional and a real asset to the community during the summer months.

The pool has a facebook page that will keep you up to date on hours of operation, program schedules and events happening at the pool.

2. Baseball / Softball Fields

On the very south end of the park sits two fields used for softball / baseball. Although the fields have lighting for use at night, the fencing and field surfaces are not in good shape. These fields are slated for an overhaul in 2020 which is desperately needed to make the fields usable. Today, these fields seem to be used more for exercising off-leash dogs than for athletics.

3. Football / Soccer Fields

The city recently acquired a triangle shaped piece of land from CSX Railroad on the south side of the park. This piece of land is slated to expand the size of the baseball / softball fields and add additional field space for soccer or football. Although those fields do not currently exist, they should be a nice addition to the park in 2021.

4. Basketball Court

The basketball court on the south east side of the park is in rough shape. The fencing and court surface are very poor. Fortunately, the court is expected to receive a remodel in the near future.

5. Makeshift Skate Park

In what looks like it was an old basketball court is a makeshift skate park that was constructed with wooden boxes with metal edges and parking lot curbing. This skate park looks community created and could use a quality design or re-purposing of the space.

6. Stationary Exercise Equipment

In two areas on the south side of the park are stations that have fixed exercise equipment. The equipment is in great shape and include pull up and dip bars, stationary bike, elliptical machine and some other equipment.

7. Playground

Located on the south east side of the park is a fenced in playground area that has swings and playgrounds for younger and older children.

8. Field House

Near the ball fields on the south side of the park is an unused field house. The building is in poor condition, but is slated for renovation in the Fall of 2020. The renovated field house will include bathrooms, a concession area and storage.

Passive and Historic Amenities

1. Pavillion

In the north east corner of the park sits a beautiful large pavilion that is used for concerts and events. The pavilion is available for rent. Find rental rates and information at Recreation and Parks’ website here.

2. Cannons

Just to the south of the pavilion is a collection of cannons mounted on concrete stands. Presumably these cannons represent the cannons that would have been mounted in the parkland during the War of 1812. It is unclear what type of cannons these are or where they originally came from.

3. Gardens

At several entrances to the park and near the pavilion are a series of well maintained gardens. I suspect these gardens are in such great condition due to the hard work of the community as the Recreation and Parks Department does not typically maintain garden spaces. These gardens add great appeal to the park and the community efforts to take care of its park should be commended.

MAINTENANCE YARD

The worst feature of Leone-Riverside Park is the Recreation and Parks Department maintenance yard located in the southeast corner of the park. Every time I visit the park, this maintenance yard is full of trash, weeds and sometimes equipment. The Recreation and Parks Department should not create an eyesore in a park it is responsible for maintaining.

FRIENDS OF RIVERSIDE PARK

The Friends of Riverside Park operates as a committee of the Riverside Neighborhood Association. This friends group works with the Recreation and Parks Department on park projects and to maintain the park along with hosting events, concerts and coordinating volunteers for clean-up days. For more information check out their webpage here.

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