Stretching across 58 acres Baker Street Park is a green heart in downtown Frederick. Founded over 75 years ago it offers playgrounds and walking paths. Ball parks tennis courts a concert pavilion a lake and gardens add to its charm.
Joseph Dill Baker’s generosity shaped this space. In 1926 he offered $13825 to purchase land for the park. Frederick dedicated Baker Park to him in June 1927. It extends from Bentz Street west to West College Terrace.
Imagine yourself back in 1916. Frederick buys land for a Memorial Park. The rest will become a municipal park. West 2nd Street will extend through it.
In the fall of 1926 Baltimore landscape architect R Brooke Maxwell designs the park. Construction buzzes through late fall and winter 1926-1927. A boating lake is created on Carroll Creek. A bath house and swimming pool emerge. A gazebo adds a touch of elegance. Carroll Creek gets widened.
In 1928 the Bentz Street bridge appears. Frederick moves the Swinging Bridge. It originally spanned Bentz Street over Carroll Creek. Now it crosses behind the swimming pool. Also in 1928 the Culler Memorial Fountain is installed. It stands by the main entry from Bentz Street.
Tennis courts arrive in 1931. They sit at West 2nd Street and College Avenue. More courts appear west of the pool near Fleming and West College Terrace.
Flag Day 1935 marks the dedication of the original band shell. The American Legion Francis Scott Key Port #11 Drum & Bugle Corp plays.
Baker Park grows in 1938. Frederick buys 6 acres from the Board of Education across from the new Frederick High School. Kidwiler Pond sits on this land.
In 1940 Kidwiler Pond becomes Culler Lake. This honors Mayor Lloyd Culler.
Following Joseph Baker’s 1938 death funds are raised for a bell tower. Frederick dedicates the Joseph D Baker Bell Tower and Carillon in November 1941.
Asa Watkins donates land in 1964. Baker Park now reaches west of Culler Lake. A little league baseball field is installed.
Evelyn Krantz donates land along Carroll Creek in 1977 and 1986. Her family owns Schifferstadt. This extends Baker Park to Route 15.
The original band shell is demolished in 1990. An entirely new structure is built.
Victoria Seward founds Friends of Baker Park in 1991.
Today Friends of Baker Park partners with Frederick High School. They remove invasive plants.
Discover Frederick’s trees on self-guided tours. There are 28 trees to see in and around Baker Park. It should take about 1.5 hours to see them all.
Baker Park continues to evolve. It remains a treasure thanks to visionaries and community support. Take a moment to appreciate Joseph Dill Baker. His gift created this beloved park.