Project Details Page

synopsis

Although Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. had previously completed work on Mount Vernon Square (see 02043) in the 1870s, it was the Olmsted Brothers who planned and developed the majority of The Baltimore Park System. Led first by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and later by Henry Hubbard, two reports, prepared in 1904 and 1926 respectively, laid out recommendations for its design and expansion.

Although Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. had previously completed work on Mount Vernon Square (see 02043) in the 1870s, it was the Olmsted Brothers who planned and developed the majority of The Baltimore Park System. Led first by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and later by Henry Hubbard, two reports, prepared in 1904 and 1926 respectively, laid out recommendations for its design and expansion.

Hired by the Municipal Arts Society, the Olmsted Brothers' first analysis of Baltimore’s emerging park system was a 120-page document titled ‘The Report Upon the Development of Public Grounds for Greater Baltimore”. Referencing Paris, London, New York, and Boston as inspiration, they concluded that the growing city of Baltimore should have “small playgrounds and squares…large parks and reservations'' and “connecting parkways”. When approaching this project, they specified their approach as “first, to secure a roughly equitable distribution...second, to avoid the more costly land in any neighborhood... third, wherever possible to choose land having natural attractions.” [Report upon the development of public grounds for greater Baltimore_Olmsted Brothers_1904_HTDL-p.18&50]

The revised 1926 plan titled “Report and Recommendations for Park Extension in Baltimore”, now sponsored by the city, focused on adding more recreational facilities and acquiring new park lands.

more