Soils

The soils of Patterson Park reflect the park’s geological characteristics. The highest elevations, located in the northwest quadrant, consist of soils that are underlain by the sand facies of the Arundel Geologic Formation . They have a fine sandy loam texture and are well drained. Immediately to the southeast are soils that drain poorly and have a loamy texture at the surface with clay only one foot below the surface. The eastern section of the main park, which was previously a stream valley and marsh, consists entirely of filled land placed in the nineteenth century that contains ash, debris, and soil. The park annex to the east of Linwood Avenue is a former clay pit.