Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan

FINAL MASTER PLAN

The Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan is now publicly available. View the plan and appendices below. Email oregonridgemasterplan@baltimorecountymd.gov with comments or questions.

1. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 1
2. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 2
3. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 3
4. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan, Part 4
5. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix I: Cultural Context
6. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix I: Cultural Context, Part 2
7. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix II: Natural Resources, Part 1
8. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix II: Natural Resources, Part 2
9. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix III: Built Conditions, Part 1
10. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix III: Built Conditions, Part 2
11. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix III: Built Conditions, Part 3
12. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix IV: Recreation Demand
13. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement
14. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix A
15. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 1
16. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 1a
17. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 2
18. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 3
19. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix B, Part 4
20. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix C
21. Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan Appendix V: Public Engagement, Sub-Appendix D

PROJECT TIMELINE

Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA) was selected to lead the master planning process and was responsible for evaluating the existing amenities within Oregon Ridge, public outreach to County residents and recommendations for future enhancements.

Members of the public were engaged throughout the process through virtual and in-person meetings, interviews, informal park events, emailed and phoned comments, and surveys. Below is the timeline of the master planning process. Videos of past meetings can be found in the calendar at the bottom of this page.

SPRING 2022

• March 15: Held an initial public information meeting (136 attendees)
• June 14: Held a second public information meeting, where L/KLA presented an initial synthesis of the inventory and preliminary analysis (126 attendees)
• L/KLA held informal interviews and focus groups with park users, park employees, and other residents who are not yet users of the park and conducted a thorough inventory of the park’s natural resources

SUMMER 2022

• July 17: Events in the park for Latino Conservation Week highlighted the ongoing process for the Oregon Ridge Master Plan
• Tuesdays in August: A ranger from the Chesapeake Conservancy engaged visitors about the future of the park in English and Spanish
• L/KLA continued to collect public input and envision the future of the park

FALL 2022

• August and September: Chesapeake Conservancy was at the Maryland State Fair reaching out to residents, sharing information about the master planning process and collecting input
• October 6 and 8: Held virtual (77 attendees) and in-person (over 100 attendees) public input meetings to receive feedback on possible future uses of the park
• Public survey conducted to collect feedback. This survey received over 200 responses
• November 12 and November 16: Held virtual (74 attendees) and in-person (about 75 attendees) public meetings to present proposed enhancements

WINTER/SPRING 2023

• Draft Plan submitted by L/KLA to Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks
• April 13: Held virtual public meeting to present draft plan (71 attendees)
• May: Held an in-person meeting at the Oregon Ridge Lodge for public comments (about 50 attendees)

Fall 2023

• October 17: The final Oregon Ridge Park Master Plan was released
• December: L/KLA were contracted to proceed with trail design work and investigation work began

Winter/Spring 2024

• February 1: Held in-person meeting between the Department of Recreation and Parks and Oregon Ridge Nature Council for a progress update on the master trail plan
• May 1: Held in-person meeting between the Department of Recreation and Parks and Oregon Ridge Nature Council for a progress update and input on orange trail repairs and preliminary investigation work
• May 2: The Department of Recreation and Parks received preliminary trail input from Oregon Ridge Nature Council

Summer 2024

• July 24: Held virtual Oregon Ridge Master Trail Plan stakeholder update meeting

Fall 2024

• October 19: Held in-person meeting at the Oregon Ridge Lodge, open to the public, to discuss master plan trail update and accessible trail review

GOALS

The plan includes evaluations of and recommendations for:

• Natural Resources Management—To ensure the protection of forest land, rare and unusual plants and water resources
• Educational Programming and Facilities—To help the Nature Center better serve residents
• Facility Improvements—Including changes to signage and parking to create better access and updates to utilities, restrooms and buildings to enhance park users’ experiences
• Accessibility to Transition Facilities—To serve residents of all abilities
• Arts Programming—To create a hub for cultural activities, public art and performances
• Recreational Activities—To adapt facilities to meet modern recreational needs

View the contract and additional information for the creation of the Oregon Ridge Master Plan.

INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS

Thank you to the following groups and individuals who participated in interviews and focus groups for the Oregon Ridge Master Plan.

• Oregon Ridge Nature Center volunteers
• Oregon Ridge Nature Council
• Oregon Ridge trails advocates
• Hot August
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Kennedy Krieger
• Biking advocacy groups
• Valleys Planning Council
• Trails, environment and park history groups
• Ballfield advocates
• Birders

MEETINGS

Select the events below to learn more.

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