By Devon Douglas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Patterson Park, located in Southeast Baltimore, has become one of the city’s main attractions because it’s become an open oasis for people to live normally amidst the pandemic.
Along the sidewalks and trails are people walking their dogs, parents with strollers and people exercising since most gyms are shutdown. Many people have picnics with friends and family or simply enjoy all that the park has to offer.
“People come to Patterson and use it as an outlet to relive parts of their lives before the pandemic hit,” said Kathleen Long, the program director and Spanish translator for Friends of Patterson Park.
The Friends of Patterson Park is a 1,000 plus member neighborhood organization working towards building community trust and safety by holding events at Patterson for the last 20 years. Many members are residents of the century old homes that surround the park.
“In the past the park was known for crime, but it’s turned into a safe place for people to exercise and enjoy themselves,” Long said. “Since the pandemic more people have come so now it’s very communal and lively.”
Patterson Park was established in 1827, after William Patterson donated six acres of land to the city to create a public walk like those he’d seen traveling in Europe. Now, the park stretches 140 acres and is the largest open space in Southeast Baltimore.
The park hosts summer concerts at its Victorian Pagoda and holds many free events throughout the year like the Halloween lantern parade. There are recreational facilities including basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts and a pool.
“This park is Baltimore’s hidden gem,” Long said.
Though few events are being held in person due to the pandemic, the organization holding events virtually on their Facebook page like online Saturday dance parties. Activities like salsa dancing, yoga, and Zumba are still offered in person to groups of less than 10 that use masks and practice social distancing.
The cozy eateries just outside the park’s borders are also a major part of its identity. Often the eateries help promote events held at the park.
“We try to reach out to local businesses for partnerships,” Long said. “In return they promote events and sometimes give our organization members discounts.”
Johnny Rad’s Pizzeria Tavern located on Eastern Avenue just across the street from the park is a local favorite. They serve salads, sandwiches and 16-inch pizzas up to $20, a great food to share with friends while enjoying the park.
“I started coming to Johnny Rad’s when I first moved to the area and it’s been five years since,” said Patterson Park resident Charles Trott. “They have the best pizza in this area, and I see people with pizza boxes walking towards the park all the time.”
Bmore Licks is an ice cream shop also located on Eastern Avenue with prices as cheap as $4.95. They’ve been partners with the Friends of Patterson for several years. The shop has an overwhelming menu filled with unique flavors and options that’ll grab anyone’s attention. It’s impossible to miss the shop because of its vibrant colors that can be seen across the park.
Nathan Adams, who has worked at Bmore Licks for five years, said that the shop’s relationship with the park is strong.
“A lot of people come to our shop to get the best ice cream in Baltimore and then make their way to the park with friends, lay out a blanket and stay there for hours,” Adams said.
According to Long, Patterson is a popular attraction because of its diversity.
“Part of our agenda was to make sure that diversity is reflected in the park,” Long said. “People from different backgrounds and cultures coexist here with a purpose and no other place in Baltimore is like that.”
Many of the communities surrounding the park are known to be immigrant hubs. Most are home Latin Americans. Events like Latino Fest are held annually at Patterson in hopes of promoting inclusion and representation of the Latino community in Baltimore.
Diversity in beliefs and opinions are also valued. Long said most residents at Patterson advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement, or BLM, and LGBTQ rights. Soon after George Floyd was killed, murals were placed across the park in remembrance of his life. BLM signs were seen in the windows of park residents and are still present. A Black Lives Matter mural was even painted on one of the park’s roads, Lynwood Avenue, in June.
Patterson Park is an accepting place. Affluent or poor, minority or not, people of different backgrounds coexist and enjoy the park with the purpose of getting through this hard time.
“We just want people to feel at peace here,” Long said.