Sunday, October 4 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM A Murder of Crows and an Unkindness of Ravens – Ages 14+. Why are these curious, social, caring and intelligent birds often linked to the afterlife? Join a naturalist as we walk and share some stories, poems and symbolism associated with these birds. $3.00/person REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Monday, October 5 at 8:00 AM-10:00 AM First Monday Bird Walks – Ages 14+. This spring join a Park Naturalist on Monday for an early morning bird walk. Bring binoculars if you have them, and please dress for the weather with wearing sturdy shoes. We will be meeting at the “CVP Bird Hikes Meet Here
Mondays April 6- Oct. 26 8:30am-10:30am & Thursdays April 9 - Oct. 29 8:30am-10:30am Ages 18+. Do you enjoy gardening, but don’t have the space or a deer-proof fence? Join like-minded green thumbs (and beginner brown thumbs) to grow your own vegetables, herbs and flowers and tend to our shared garden plots. We’ll provide the
Tuesdays, September 15 to October 20 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Polliwogs! - Ages 2 to 5, with an Adult. Discovering nature is a lifelong journey. In this class, you and your little one will explore the natural world through hands-on activities, nature play, stories and crafts. Non-mobile siblings only, parent/guardian must be an
Wednesdays, September 2 to November 25 at 9:30 to 10:30 AM Autumn Senior Stroll – Ages 55+. Walking in nature provides benefits to both the mind and body. Enjoy a relaxing stroll with one of our Naturalists along some of Cromwell Valley’s less strenuous trails. Meet at Sherwood House. FREE! REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Wednesdays, September 16 to October 21 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Polliwogs! - Ages 2 to 5, with an Adult. Discovering nature is a lifelong journey. In this class, you and your little one will explore the natural world through hands-on activities, nature play, stories and crafts. Non-mobile siblings only, parent/guardian must be an
Saturday, October 10 at 10:00 AM-4:00 PM The Fall Harvest Festival Featuring Arts in the Park – All Ages (minors must be accompanied by adult). Baltimore County Dept. of Recreation and Parks is partnering with the Cromwell Valley Park Council and Towson Arts Collective to bring you an outdoor celebration of migrating raptors, live birds
Sunday, October 11 at 9:00 AM-11:00 AM The Less-Walked Path—Ages 8+. Learn to navigate Cromwell Valley Park through its lesser-known interconnected back trails! $3.00/person REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Saturday, October 17 at 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Farmer Kids: From Garden to Table – Ages 5-12 with an adult. Monthly gardening series where kids plant, harvest, cook, and eat! At each session, we’ll learn what can be planted at that time of year and the proper way to plant it. Then we’ll harvest
Sunday, October 18 at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Primitive Technology: Forest Fibers and Natural Weaving – Ages 10+. On this hands-on program, we’ll explore the park to find natural materials like grasses, pine needles, and flexible stems that can be used for weaving. After learning how people have used plant fibers for thousands of
Thursday, October 22 at 10:30 AM-11:30 AM Project Feeder Watch Training Ages 18+. Count birds for science, but first, attend this training to learn how! After the training, we will meet weekly at the Nature Center on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (whichever is better for you) for your 1 hour volunteer shift. This citizen science project
Friday, October 23 at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM The Full Hunter Moon Hike – Ages 8+. Join Ranger Kirk and his banjo around the campfire as he leads the group sing-along in old familiar tunes. Songbooks and instruments will be provided so you can join in the fun. Afterwards we’ll roast marshmallows! $6.00/person REGISTRATION
Saturday, October 24 at 9:00 AM-11:00 AM Drop-In Gardening (DIG) -- Ages 13+ Join us for a morning in the garden. We provide direction, gloves, tools, and water. You bring a hat, sunscreen and a little energy. Drop-in program. Registration appreciated but not mandatory. FREE! Registration appreciated but not mandatory.
Join us for some guided hiking in Cromwell Valley Park. This advanced level hike will take us around the entire park, including the meadows, pine grove, river bank and the hills of the CVP outback. Refreshments will be served afterwards. Meeting place: We’ll begin from the Sherwood side. Cromwell Valley Park has two entrances. Please
Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Roots to Rootheads – Ages 8+. Although we don’t usually see them, roots are a vital part of every plant. Learn the many functions of roots then turn them upside-down for a whole new look! NOT just for kids! $3.00/person REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Room on the Broom – Ages 5-10. Join a Naturalist for a witchy good story and short hike. Gather materials and then return to the Sherwood House to make your own witch’s hat & broom. $6.00/person REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Saturday, October 31 at 10:00 AM to 3 PM Halloween Trail Trek – All Ages. Come dressed in your costume to discover the tricks along the trails! Start your adventure at the Sherwood House by picking up a self-guided booklet, follow the clues, then head back to the Sherwood House to collect your treats! Registration
Sunday, November 1 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Filtration Frenzy – Ages 10+. Water is one of the most essential elements to survival. Join a naturalist on a guided hike to Minebank Run to test your skills at different water filtration methods. FREE! REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Monday, November 2 at 8:00 AM-10:00 AM First Monday Bird Walks – Ages 14+. This spring join a Park Naturalist on Monday for an early morning bird walk. Bring binoculars if you have them, and please dress for the weather with wearing sturdy shoes. We will be meeting at the “CVP Bird Hikes Meet Here
Cromwell Valley Park Office
(Sherwood House)
2002 Cromwell Bridge Rd
Parkville, MD 21234
GPS: 39.415, -76.552
Phone: 410-887-2503
TDD: 410-887-5319
Willow Grove Nature Education Center
2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd
Parkville, MD 21234
GPS: 39.417, -76.548
Please remember that the Park itself is open only during daylight hours, sunrise to sunset.
In case of inclement weather, the Nature Center and activities follow Baltimore County Pubic Schools. Check the BCPS Website for the latest information on closing. If closing early, all evening activities at the Park are cancelled.
On Saturdays and Sundays when the office is closed, you may call the Nature Education Center.
Note: The addresses (2002 and 2175) are really for Post Office use. If used on a GPS, they may take you to a strange place in the park, or leave you on the main road. Use the GPS coordinates instead.
The Cromwell Valley Park Council (CVPC) is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the stewardship of Cromwell Valley Park as a public space for passive recreation and School Programs. The CVPC works in cooperation with the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and other entities to maintain, preserve and protect the natural environment and historic structures in the Park.
The Cromwell Valley Park Council is not an official site for Baltimore County Government.