Baker Park

Grassy fields, trails and a lake: you might think of a small rural town, not Frederick, Maryland. Cradled to the south by a crescent-shaped park of the same name, Baker Park is Frederick’s snapshot of nature just west of downtown. This planned community’s streets fan out from central Frederick into a grid structure, where most homes have green space between them. Yards host the occasional European Beech or Scarlet Oak tree. Narrow, concrete sidewalks are well-maintained and easily walkable. You won’t find many cul de sacs here because the streets and sidewalks are grid-like. Depending on the street, you’ll see single-car driveways or street parking, but don’t worry about the latter: it’s not cramped, by any means.

Homes in Baker Park take inspiration from their European ancestors. Pitched roofs, window shutters and brick are all present with these colonial, Italian and Spanish revivals, whose facades are slightly obscured by mature trees. For homes slightly elevated above street level, tiny staircases branching off the sidewalk lead to porches whose stairs follow suit. Here and there, you can see a chimney peeking out from the tree line. The number of bedrooms in each home varies widely, as does the year built. “There’s lots of pre-war homes with great character, lots, and scale,” Drew Hopley, owner of LIVE Frederick Group at Keller Williams Realty Center, explains. Some of the more antiquated-looking revivals were constructed in the early twentieth century, with others from the 1950s or 1970s. The longer-standing revivals average from $500,000 to $700,000, while smaller, compact town homes go for slightly less than $500,000.

Kids in Baker Park attend Parkway Elementary, one of Frederick’s oldest schools, later moving on to West Frederick Middle. Both schools are Niche rated B or better. Frederick High ranks as the 5th most diverse public high school in Maryland, according to Niche, with an overall rating of A-minus. These Cadets haven’t stopped marching since 1913, as their band is the longest performing in the state! Parents stay involved with their young musicians, attending monthly band booster meetings. Cadet faculty partner with Frederick Community College, offering dual enrollment courses. At the center of Baker Park and academia is Hood College, ranked #6 in 2023 for best undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.

Busy students need a break, and Baker Park’s amenities make it the ideal spot. The park itself is a mile from end to end and hosts concerts in the band shell. You don’t want to miss the view of the July 4th fireworks, either. All can make use of multiple baseball fields and playground. On the northwestern tip sits a cluster of trees hugging the winding Carroll Creek Path. “In the summer, people go to the Alive @ Five on Thursdays at Carroll Creek,” Hopley says, referring to the fundraiser that offers drinks and music. Follow the path south and you will find Culler Lake, whose still waters are gently interrupted by fountains at its center. Reach the path’s end and see the creek dividing homes from the park like a natural barrier.

After the park, head to one of the local spots a few blocks away for some grub. 7th Street Sandwich Shop, located at the College Park Shopping Center, features twists on classics with names as wacky as the recipes (like Godfather and Pea Island, for example). If a quick slice is more your speed, check out Rosati’s, serving Chicago style pizza as well as breaded mushrooms and ravioli. Before heading home, snag a few things for the house at the Common Market, located next door.

Grab some takeout, spend an evening supporting the Blazers soccer team in their seasonal efforts or hit the creek path; any way you want it, life here is a walk in the park.

Written By

Malcolm Longerbeam

Photography Contributed By

Tyler Priola

Video By

Bob Yukich