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The 150 acre Middle Branch Park is located in the Cherry Hill area of south Baltimore. The park hugs the shores of the Patapsco River acting as a gateway for the Recreation and Parks Department’s water recreation. The park has two boat launches and two fishing piers that allows easy access to kayaking, canoeing, rowing and fishing / crabbing. This water access makes Middle Branch Park unique from most other Baltimore City parks.

The park also features picturesque views of the Patapsco River, the downtown Baltimore skyline and the Hanover Street Bridge. In fact, much of the park is dominated by a sloped field that is positioned to take advantage of the views along with an assortment of picnic tables, park benches and firepits dotting the shoreline.

In addition, a paved path run through the center of this park which encompasses the southern end of the Gwynns Falls Trail making a great starting or ending point for a hike on this 15 mile trail. Overall, this park is a worthy destination for any water related activities or just for enjoying impressive views of the water and skyline.

DIRECTIONS

Middle Branch Park has a parking lot that can be accessed by driving to 3301 Waterview Avenue. The parking lot is large and even has electric vehicle charging stations.

BALTIMORE ROWING AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER / BALTIMORE COMMUNITY ROWING

The Baltimore Rowing and Community Resource Center building sits just inside Middle Branch Park and is the home to the Recreation and Parks Outdoor Recreation division and Baltimore Community Rowing. Baltimore Community Rowing (“BCR”) is a non-profit rowing club that offers rowing lessons along with open rowing opportunities for more experienced rowers. Competitive rowing for both youth and adults is also available. BCR allows for equipment rentals or for private storage.

BCR has a great website that lays out the different rowing opportunities, programs and policy and procedures. Check out the website here for more details.

Beyond housing the Baltimore Community Rowing and BCRP’s Outdoor Recreation Division, the building can also be rented for events. For rental rates and amenities offered inside the building, go to this webpage.

FLOATING DOCK

Just behind Baltimore Community Rowing’s headquarters is a large floating dock for launching canoes, kayaks and other rowing equipment. To drop off equipment at the floating dock, use the access road on the side of the BCR headquarters and head towards the back side of the building This will provide a convenient place to unload equipment right next to the dock.

FISHING / CRABBING PIERS

Middle Branch Park has two piers along with various areas along the park’s lengthy shoreline where fishing and crabbing take place. The main pier is located just below the park’s main parking lot.

Another large pier is located on the east end of the park, just past the Hanover Street Bridge from the main Middle Branch Park parking lot. This pier is large, has a number of benches and is somewhat isolated from the rest of Middle Branch Park. There is also parking in the area that can be accessed here. Right next to the pier is a very accessible boat ramp.

TAKING IN THE VIEWS – BENCHES, PICNIC TABLES AND FIREPITS

Middle Branch Park is designed around city and water views. Near the parking lot is a large grassy field that slopes towards the water. This field is ideal place for a picnic or relaxing with a great perspective of the Patapsco River, Baltimore City skyline or the Hanover Street Bridge. Due to the slope of the field, its not the best location for organized sports, but would be good for flying a kite, throwing a frisbee or other causal recreation that does not require a large flat surface.

Below the hill towards the water are a series of benches and picnic tables that also allow for excellent views of the water and downtown. Oddly, there are a variety of different types of benches and picnic tables with some in great condition, while others are unusable and broken. Fortunately, there are a large number seating areas to choose from.

There is also at least one firepit along the shore that looks well used. If you bring firewood, be aware that you will need to carry it quite a distance from the parking lot.

PLAYGROUND

Just off the parking lot is a small playground. The playground is for toddlers and has a wood chip surface.

WALKING PATH / GWYNNS FALLS TRAIL

Stretching from one end of the park to the other is a paved pathway. The walking path also doubles as a portion of the 15 mile Gwynns Fall Trail. The path is well used by walker, joggers and bikers and is positioned to take advantage of the views of the Baltimore skyline and Patapsco River.

MASTER PLAN

In 2007, a master plan was developed for the middle branch waterfront. Although this master plan was not specific to Middle Branch Park, the park was included as part of this more encompassing plan. The plan focused on maintaining and preserving the natural habitat of the middle branch while balancing the need for more public access to the recreational and water based amenities that area offers. This 2007 master plan appears to be more of a document to advise future planning efforts rather than a solidified plan for the future.

Today, a strong effort at re-designing the middle branch waterfront is underway. This process began with the design competition that was launched in 2019. The winners of the design competition were eventually kicked off the project after questionable conduct from some employees of the company and Baltimore design firm Mahan Rykiel took over along with a whole host of other entities providing support. A copy of the plan developed by the winners of the competition can be found here. It appears that community input into the re-design of the middle branch waterfront is still taking place. The status of the various stages of the project can be found at the Reimagine Middle Branch website found here.