Pathways, Carriageways, and Entryways
Carriageways and pathways, paved at the turn-of-the-century have undergone
only modest changes over the years. The existing land forms, the rolling
terrain with serpentine drives, the slightly depressed pathways express
the 19th century pastoral approach to landscape design.
Pathways - Much of the pathway system in Patterson Park
today was well established by the turn of the century and still is an
important part of the park experience. By 1915 the major elements of the
circulation pattern were in place. Five principles seemed to have guided
the design of the circulation system: the separation of carriage and pedestrian
travel; easy access from adjacent urban streets; connection of major amenities;
necessity of a formal pedestrian mall; diversity of choices.
Many of these original characteristics have been retained. The circulation
within the park is generally clear. An assortment of paving materials
include asphalt, asphalt block (both hexagonal and rectangular pavers),
brick and concrete. Twenty different sections of stairs are located around
the perimeter and within the interior of the park.
Carriageways - The drive was an essential part of Baltimore’s approach to the design of open spaces in the 19th century. Twenty-five feet in width, they allowed passage of two carriages. The first carriageway was designed to circumnavigate the western park. Later a second loop was designed around the eastern addition, creating a figure-eight. A traveler could engage in a leisurely carriage ride along the curvilinear roads without intruding on the interior of the park. At the crossing of the figure-eight there was an esplanade that encircled a rain shelter. Here carriages could park and enjoy the scenic view of the eastern lake. The original layout of the carriageways exist today, with minor modifications.
The Mall - In the 1870s the Park Commission favored the
creation of a straight, broad pedestrian avenue, called the Mall. At the
northern end of the Mall was the prominent and prolific Taurus Fountain.
By 1915, the Mall was connected to the carriageway by a broad diagonal
pathway leading from the Luzerne Street carriage entrance. The Mall and
the diagonal connection remain today.
Pedestrian Pathways - The character of the pathways in the western park, eastern park and annex differ. This is not surprising given the park’s incremental development. The complex system found today in the western park is similar to the historic layout and is characterized by pathways linking entrance ways with the many park features. Walkers had an abundance of choices in selecting their path through the park with pathways paralleling the carriageway in only a few locations. In addition, the paths were set into the terrain in such a way as to minimize their visual intrusion into the broad grassy vistas of the park.
In contrast, the eastern park was limited to two walks which were situated
parallel to each side of the carriageway. The carriageway, pathways, lake,
and surrounding terraces were one organic unified whole. By 1915, however,
the Olmsted Brothers introduced straight lines, axis, and symmetry to
the composition as athletic facilities were established. Still there was
simplicity and order to the composition. The eastern annex, relatively
unchanged since its original design, has an elegant simplicity as pathways
connect the entryways and gracefully encircle the playing fields below.
Entryways - The entrance gates of Patterson Park were
added over a period of 50 years as the park evolved. When first established,
the park was surrounded by undeveloped land, access was limited to one
entrance and the park was enclosed by a fence. As development in the surrounding
blocks occurred and the park grew, entrance ways evolved to accommodate
entry from most of the surrounding streets. The variety of design styles
provides a charming eclectic personality to the edges of the park. The
entryways seem a fitting symbol to a park that is such an integral part
of its community.
Entrances in Patterson Park:
- South Patterson Park Ave./Lombard St. - Made of marble in the Renaissance Revival style, this entrance was designed by George Frederick in 1869 and was the original gate to the 1860’s park. Considered costly for the times - $9,000 - they were the most elegant gates in the park with intricate marble work and gold. They were opened and closed by a guard who was housed in a wooden stick style watch box nearby. Behind the marble pillars sits the White House.
- South Patterson Park Ave./Gough St. - Built in 1893. Rough granite pylons with carved crosses. Once a carriageway entrance.
- East Baltimore St./Lakewood Ave. - Originally a carriageway built in 1895. Consists of granite pylons in the Renaissance Revival style.
- Eastern Ave./South Patterson Park Ave. - Originally a carriageway, this Romanesque Revival entryway is made of Sandstone and was built in the late 19th century.
- East Baltimore St./Luzerne Ave. - Built between 1894 and 1915 this entry way is a series of small granite blocks.
- Kenwood Ave./E. Baltimore St. - Built between 1894 and 1915 this stone masonry entryway is reminiscent of Jacobean design.
- Ortmann Field Entrance - Circa 1910, this entryway consists of an iron arch and grill work, with brick piers with limestone coping.
- South Patterson Park Ave./E. Baltimore St. - Circa 1910. Not the original gate. It is made of cast stone and was once a carriageway.
- East Baltimore St./Linwood Ave. - Made of cast stone. Winged walls originally had iron lamps attached. Built in 1916.
- Eastern Ave./Linwood Ave. - Built in 1921, this entryway is made of cast stone and probably once had iron lamps attached.