Baltimore City's Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park Forest Management Plan

Baltimore City, in partnership with consultants, developed a forest management plan for the approximately 1,200 total acres of Gwynns Falls/ Leakin Park (GFLP) located along the western edge of the city. The purpose of this plan is to guide the City in managing the variety of forest communities within the park and to achieve successful reforestation, new forest establishment in some areas, and comprehensive improved forest condition. Furthermore, this plan is intended to provide the City with: 1) assessment and prioritization for control of invasive plant species concentrations within the park, 2) recommendations for management activities required to improve overall forest health, and 3) the budget projections required to conduct effective  management activities that occur within the plan. 

In a nutshell, this resource offers:

• A characterization of existing vegetation communities and evaluation of site conditions within Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park.
• Planning-level cost estimates for management implementation.
• A site prioritization with short- and long-term maintenance recommendations.

How to use this resource:

• As an example of a management plan that examines the needs and management of urban natural areas.
• As an example of conducting an in-depth plant inventory, plus specific recommendations to expand or enhance vegetation areas where appropriate, divided by management units.
• As an example of budget estimations for forest management. 

Author: City of Baltimore, Biohabitats, U.S. Forest Service

Date published: 2017

Point of contact: BCRP.Info@baltimorecity.gov

Citation: Dihle, E.; Duckworth, A.; Martello, T.; Moore, R.; Morgereth, E.; Murphy, C.; Nunnery, K.; Salladin, Bryon. 2017. Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park Forest Management Plan. City of Baltimore Department of Parks and Recreation, Baltimore, MD.

Resource is available online here.