Summary
Cromwell Valley Park (CVP) is a 460-acre county park managed by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and supported by the volunteer, non-profit CVP Council. The park was established in the early 1990s for passive use (hiking, birding, nature study). The Willow Grove Nature Education Center, the hub of our park's programs, was established in 2009 when renovations to the farmhouse, dating from the 1860s, were completed. Because of the valley’s prior use as farmland, our educational and interpretive focus has included sustainable agriculture as well as the forests, fields and streams. Our broad meadows, cool forests, meandering streams, and historic farm buildings provide a context for the multitude of opportunities we provide for exploring and learning about the environment within a historical context. In 2017, our newly restored lime kilns add another unique perspective of the history of the valley in the 18th and 19th centuries.
CVP has grown into a local resource for environmental education for schools, families and adults. We provide hands-on educational school field trips within the park, and present programs at the schools to further students’ understanding of the environment. Our naturalist/educators also supply schools with resources and professional development to support and enrich their environmental education efforts. We support environmental and outdoor education in the community through our extensive family-oriented public programs and special events throughout the year, as well as our partnerships with local environmental groups.
Besides our staff and our programs, we are proud of the interpretive and educational amenities that we have been able to develop at the Nature Education Center and the park. At every turn, the park has interesting exhibits, structures, buildings, and displays -- many due to the work of our dedicated volunteers. We, as well as our visitors, learn something new every day.
We believe that we are truly making a difference in our community’s and schools’ understanding of and respect for the environment. We hope you enjoy reading about our accomplishments.
Before and after photos of the lime kilns. The most significant historical structures in the park, the newly-restored kilns offer visitors a glimpse into the rich industrial history of the region.