Autumn Activities at Cromwell Valley Park
Park Information
2002 Cromwell Bridge Road Parkville, Maryland 21234 410-887-2503 CromwellValleyPark@ baltimorecountymd.gov Nature center is open daily from 9a to 5p. Park open daily sunrise to sunset. Due to an ongoing construction project, all park access is through the Sherwood entrance. Trail maps and information are available at the Sherwood House park office. Program details and registration are at baltcorec. info/cromwell. Locate programs by title or four-digit code. Please register in advance. Interactive Program Guides in English and Spanish are available at baltcorec.info/ guide. Field trips and programs for groups are available by contacting the park office. Changes and cancelations are sent by email to registrants, are posted online, and are available 24/7 at 410-88-PARKS. Sign up for email newsletters at baltcorec.info/newsletter. Accommodations such as language interpretation or large print are available. Please provide as much notice as possible to 410887-5520 (voice), 711 (TTY), or CromwellValleyPark@ baltimorecountymd.gov.
Saturdays
Morning Bird Walks
Most Saturdays and the first Monday of the month, join a park naturalist in search of local and migrating birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, and please dress for the weather with sturdy shoes. 2972 8a-10a Ages 14+ FREE
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Polliwogs
Explore the natural world through hands-on activities, nature play, stories, and crafts in this child and caregiver program. This program runs from September 15 through October 21. Select and sign up for either Tuesday (2951) or Wednesday (2952). 2951 10:30a-11:30a Ages 2-5 $60 2952 10:30a-11:30a Ages 2-5 $60
Wednesdays
Senior Stroll
Walking in nature provides benefits to both the mind and body. Enjoy a relaxing stroll with a naturalist along some of the park’s less strenuous trails. 2953 9:30a-10:30a Ages 55+ FREE
Fri, Sep 18
Trails with Tots
Enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors with your little ones. Adults accompany their children in this program. Join the naturalists this fall on the first and third Friday of each month. 2967 10a-11a Ages 0-5 FREE
Sat, Sep 19
Farmer Kids: From Garden to Table
Learn to plant, harvest and prepare seasonal fruits and vegetables. Each session covers which foods are in season, how to plant and harvest them, and working in the kitchen to discover tasty ways to cook them. 1635 9:30a-11a Ages 5-12 $12
Sun, Sep 20
Trail Runners
Want to get active with a group of like minded people? Join a naturalist on a leisurely 1.5 mile run through the park. We’ll start and end the run with some group stretches! 2986 10a-11a Ages 16+ FREE
Wed, Sep 23 to Fri, Sep 25
Volunteer Training
Learn how to assist with school field trip programs and special events. Training will familiarize volunteers with our most popular programs as well as the ecology at Marshy Point and Cromwell Valley. September 23 is at Cromwell Valley Park. September 24 is at Marshy Point Park. September 25 is a field trip to Fort Garrison. Returning volunteers register with code 2931 for FREE; volunteers new to Baltimore County parks, register with code 2932 for $6. 2932 10a-2p Ages 18+ $6 2931 10a-2p Ages 18+ FREE
Fri, Sep 25
The Full Corn Moon
Learn how Indigenous peoples cultivated the corn plant and why they call it one of the Three
Sisters. Enjoy a campfire corn boil, popcorn over an open flame, and corn tortillas. 2987 7:30p-9p Ages 8+ $6
Sat, Sep 26
Drop In Gardening
Roll up those sleeves and spend the morning helping out in the garden! The park provides tools, gloves, and guidance. Bring energy, a hat, and sunscreen. Great for all experience levels. 3016 9a-11a Ages 13+ FREE
Autumn Leaf Lab
Explore the park to collect and compare leaves while learning how to identify trees by their shape, margins, and veins. We’ll also talk about why leaves change color in the fall. Participants will create a simple leaf journal page or rubbing to take home. 2988 1p-3p Ages 8+ $3
Sun, Sep 27
Let’s Hawk Watch
Train to become a Hawk Watch volunteer! Be involved in participatory science and learn how to identify raptors in flight. Witness the joy of viewing hundreds (if not thousands) of Broad-winged Hawks along with eagles, hawks, falcons and vultures, as they migrate through the Valley. Bring binoculars and a folding chair if you have them. Registration Required. 2989 10a-1p Ages 14+ FREE
Fri, Oct 2
Trails with Tots
Enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors with your little ones. Adults accompany their children in this program. Join the naturalists this fall on the first and third Friday of each month. 2968 10a-11a Ages 0-5 FREE
Sat, Oct 3
Bull Roarers
Create a sounding device used by indigenous peoples around the world to commune with and invoke the spirits. Bring a sturdy carving knife without a serrated blade. 2990 1p-3p Ages 18+ $6
Sun, Oct 4
A Murder of Crows and an Unkindness of Ravens
Why are these curious, social, caring and intelligent birds often linked to the afterlife? Join a naturalist to walk and share some stories, poems and symbolism associated with these birds. 2991 10a-11:30a Ages 8+ $3
Mon, Oct 5
Morning Bird Walks
Most Saturdays and the first Monday of the month, join a park naturalist in a search for local and migrating birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, and please dress for the weather with sturdy shoes. 3025 8a-10a Ages 14+ FREE
Sat, Oct 10
Fall Harvest and Arts Festival
An outdoor celebration of cider making, hay scrambling, live birds of prey demonstrations, food trucks, art vendors, live music, fall family activities, crafts, and so much more. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Advance registration is not required. Event is rain or shine, and will be held on the Sherwood side of the park at 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road. From sunrise to 4p, the park will be open only to festival attendees. 2992 10a-4p All Ages
Sun, Oct 11
The Less-Walked Path
Learn to navigate Cromwell Valley Park through its lesserknown interconnected back trails. 2993 9a-11a Ages 8+ $3
Fri, Oct 16
Trails with Tots
Enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors with your little ones. Adults accompany their children in this program. Join the naturalists this fall on the first and third Friday of each month. 2969 10a-11a Ages 0-5 FREE
Sat, Oct 17
Farmer Kids: From Garden to Table
Learn to plant, harvest and prepare seasonal fruits and vegetables. Each session covers which foods are in season, how to plant and harvest them, and working in the kitchen to discover tasty ways to cook them. 1636 9:30a-11a Ages 5-12 $12
Sun, Oct 18
Forest Fibers and Natural Weaving
In this hands-on program, 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 years, try simple cordage and weaving techniques to create a small nature craft. 2994 1p-3p Ages 10+ $3
Thu, Oct 22
Project Feeder Watch Training
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 begins October 22, 2026 and runs until April 2027. Registration required. 2995 10:30a-11:30a Ages 18+ FREE
Fri, Oct 23
The Full Hunter Moon
Deer are on the move at this time of year! Learn about our whitetail population, their antler growth, and how to find their rubbings, tracks, and scents. Dress for the weather. 2996 7p-8:30p Ages 8+ $6
Sat, Oct 24
Drop In Gardening
Roll up those sleeves and spend the morning helping out in the garden! The park provides tools, gloves, and guidance. Bring energy, a hat, and sunscreen.
Great for all experience levels. 3017 9a-11a Ages 13+ FREE
Roots to Rootheads
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! This program is for adults and kids alike. 2997 1p-2:30p Ages 8+ $3
Sun, Oct 25
Room on the Broom
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. 2998 10a-11:30a Ages 5-10 $6
Sat, Oct 31
Halloween Trail Trek
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 only required for those who would like a treat bag at the end. This is a very family friendly Halloween activity for all ages. There are no scares on the trail or overly frightening decorations. Participants work together to fill in silly Halloween clues in an activity booklet. 2999 10a-3p All Ages $3
Sun, Nov 1
Filtration Frenzy
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. 3000 noon-1p Ages 10+ $3
Mon, Nov 2
Morning Bird Walks
Most Saturdays and the first Monday of the month, join a park naturalist in search of local and migrating birds. Bring binoculars if you have them, and please dress for the weather with sturdy
shoes. 3026 8a-10a
Ages 14+ FREE
Fri, Nov 6
Trails with Tots
Enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors with your little ones. Adults accompany their children in this program. Join the naturalists this fall on the first and third Friday of each month. 2970 10a-11a Ages 0-5 FREE
Sat, Nov 7
Harvest & Seed Swap
Collecting and sharing local native plant seeds is a rewarding and cost-effective way to help spread the beauty of these beneficial plants. Learn the basics of harvesting and storing seeds in this hands-on workshop, then use the Seed Swap Box to share some with others. 3001 10a-noon Ages 12+ $3
Sun, Nov 8
Cooking in Clay Pots
Ceramics opened up new possibilities for early humans to cook hardy soups and extract more nutrients from food. Join us at the Primitive Technology Lab to learn these techniques. 3002 1p-3p Ages 18+ $6
Sat, Nov 14
Animal Olympics
Can you run as fast as a cheetah? How about jump as far as a cricket? Come test your skills against the world’s best animal athletes! 3003 noon-1p Ages 5-10 $3
Sun, Nov 15
Fri, Nov 20
Trails with Tots
Enjoy the benefits of being active outdoors with your little ones. Adults accompany their children in this program. Join the naturalists this fall on the first and third Friday of each month. 2971 10a-11a Ages 0-5 FREE
The Full Beaver Moon
Learn how the beaver builds its home and then hike with a naturalist to find signs of these resident rodents. 3005 6p-7:30p Ages 8+ $6
Sat, Nov 21
Let’s Talk Turkey
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national symbol? Find out why and meet our live turkeys – Gravy, Tater Tot, and Drumstick. Gobble up some fun by seeing who has the best turkey call. Registration required. 3006 1p-2p Ages 5+ $3
Sat, Nov 28
Debris Shelter
Learn how to build a survival shelter that could save your life. Construction will be entirely from foraged leaves, branches, and bark. Registration required. 3009 1p-3p All Ages $3
Sun, Nov 29
Build A Model Tree House
Let your imagination soar while building a model tree house using natural materials. We’ll provide the base and “tree” - you create the rooms, platforms, bridges, ladders and amenities. 3010 1p-3p Ages 7+ $6
Bark & Bud Tree Detectives
Think you need leaves to identify trees? Think again! Discover how naturalists recognize trees using bark patterns, buds, and twig clues. During a guided walk, we’ll examine different tree species and make bark rubbings while learning what makes each tree unique. 3004 1p-2:30p Ages 8+ $3
More fun for the whole family is in the Fall Program Guide. baltcorec.info/guide
Fall Harvest and Arts Festival
An outdoor event filled with family-centered festivities, craas, music, a celebration of our migrating raptors, and more!
• Live music • Apple cider • Art vendors • Face painting • Goat exhibit • Children’s games and craas • Meet the Nature Center animals • Popular Baltimore-area food trucks • Hawk Watch: Scheduled talks on counting and identifying migrating birds
Saturday, Oct 10 10am-4pm All Ages $5 per vehicle
Cromwell Valley Park 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road Parkville, Maryland 21234
The park will be open for festival events only
Scan for registration and details or visit baltcorec.info/cvp For accommodations such as language interpretation or large print, please provide as much notice as possible to 410-887-3871 (voice), 711 (TTY), or recparks@baltimorecountymd.gov