Gwynns Falls is poised to become Baltimore City’s first state park, thanks to a partnership between Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Office of Mayor Brandon Scott, and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP).The three offices are joining forces to establish Gwynns Falls — the city’s largest park — as a “Partnership Park,” collaborating to maximize resources, ensure proper stewardship, and make sure the park is accessible for all city residents.With 1,000-plus acres of green space, Gwynns Falls is not only the city’s largest park; it is one of the largest urban woodland parks in the country. It is home to old-growth forests, miles of trails, historic structures, recreational and educational programming, and critical habitat for birds and wildlife inside an urban area.The park’s partnership status will enable it to be jointly managed by Maryland’s DNR, the mayor’s office, and BCRP. In 2024, Governor Wes Moore signed legislation that created a task force to oversee establishing Gwynns Falls State Park.“Open space and outdoor recreation are essential elements to the health and well-being of all Maryland citizens, and expanding these amenities in our urban areas is a priority of the Moore-Miller Administration,” said Josh Kurtz, Maryland DNR Secretary. “Our Maryland Park Service is working with the City and other partners to improve Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park and ensure that residents and visitors get the most out of this beautiful natural area that offers a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.”This is not the first time DNR has jointly managed a park. The department collaborated with National Park Service and state and local partners to establish and manage the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center in Dorchester County.“This partnership park initiative will bring about a transformation that is extremely overdue, and it marks a monumental step toward revitalizing one of the most underinvested and overlooked areas in Baltimore City,” said Delegate Malcolm P. Ruff, who represents the 41st Legislative District and sponsored the partnership park legislation in 2024. “The creation of Gwynns Falls State Park is not just about improving the landscape; it’s about improving lives—creating new opportunities for economic development, job creation, healthier lifestyles, and safer neighborhoods. The transformation of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park into Baltimore City’s first ever state park will be a game-changer for the residents of West Baltimore, and I could not be more excited for my constituents to see it come to fruition.”“As Baltimore’s largest park, Gwynn Falls is an iconic destination in the city for residents and visitors alike,” Scott said. “The establishment of this historic landmark as a Partnership Park will help bring the transformative resources this unparalleled green space deserves and help ensure we protect and maintain it for generations to come. I am deeply grateful to the Moore-Miller administration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and everyone who helped make this designation possible.”A Stakeholder Advisory Committee has been formed of community members and other interested people, who will weigh in on local priorities and the management of Gwynns Falls. The committee held its first meeting in December 2024. In the future, they will have focus group meetings, public outreach, and conduct assessments of the park’s current infrastructure.DNR will then use information gathered from the advisory committee and focus groups to report on what properties they recommend for inclusion in the state park, along with funding requirements, by Dec. 1, 2025. A web page for Gwynns Falls will be created by DNR for the public to view and stay up-to-date on the park’s development.