Cylburn Arboretum, an Oasis in Baltimore
Sitting high on a hill with traffic speeding far below, Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore has over 200 acres of gardens and woods that are free for all to enjoy. The City of Baltimore purchased the estate in 1954. After a brief stint as a Youth Home, it was transitioned as a place “to enable adults and youth to understand and enjoy the out-of-doors and to preserve the existing natural beauty and facilities of Cylburn Park.”
What to See at the Cylburn Arboretum
As you first enter the Arboretum, the Vollmer Center, Greenhouses, and a rolling yard with trees are most of what visitors will take in. No visitors are allowed in the Greenhouses, which still supply the plant materials for City Hall, street medians, and the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory. The Greenhouses are open once each year during Market Day, when plants and crafts from various vendors are for sale. The Vollmer Visitor Center is usually not open to the public and is used for special events, workshops, and meetings.
Follow the path up the hill, and you will start to see the historic mansion for which the Arboretum is named. There is also a big sign with a map of the Arboretum, and below the sign, a conveniently placed display with palm-sized maps for your use. Grab one. It will help with your wanderings since the trails are not particularly well-marked. A water fountain along the path also has a bowl for pets, which are allowed on a leash.
This is where our dilemma began. There is a lot to enjoy, and we had a tough time deciding what to see first. We walked towards the mansion, heading to the Nature Education Center in the back, and enjoyed the various small gardens and meditation circles in the Moudry Woods.
Nature Education Center (NEC)
The former Carriage House has been converted into the Nature Education Center. A covered porch on one end is perfect for picnics or relaxation. At the other end is the majestic roof of the NEC. Classroom space and public bathrooms occupy the ground floor with a display meant to have visitors take a closer look at trees. Giant root systems hang from the ceiling, and more information about the birds and critters who depend on the trees is displayed around the room. Outside the NEC, an outdoor classroom and trails wind around the center.
Cylburn Arboretum Trails
This is when that map you picked up will come in handy. Trails into the woods dot the arboretum. You’ll probably go in and out of the deer fence numerous times. Make sure that you close the gates behind you. Miles of trails through the woods link together for short jaunts or an actual hike up and down the changing elevations. Depending on the season, you’ll see splashes of color from native plants. It’s pretty easy to hop off a trail and return to the gardens surrounding the mansion.
The gardens have been carefully planted to provide something for visitors to observe each season.
March: Spring ephemeral flowers, daffodils, cherry blossoms, and early species of Magnolias.
April/May: Migrating birds, Dogwood, Buckeye, and Magnolia trees.
June: Look out for turtles
July: Dragonflies and butterflies
August: Crape Myrtles
September: Paw Paws and crab apples start to ripen. Goldenrod and Asters bloom.
October: Fall foliage
November: Look for Mushrooms
December: Look for winter berry colors on Beautyberry, Holly, Ilex, and Juniper.
Information from Cylburn Arboretum Friends
Cylburn Aboretum
4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore
Some paths are paved and wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Free admission
Hours:
Closed on Mondays. Hours Tuesday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nature Center is closed on Mondays. Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Restrooms are available in the Nature Education Center and Greenhouse Classroom.
