Winter Lights at the Observatory Wraps Up 2025 for the Friends of Patterson Park

We had an amazing time at the 11th annual Winter Lights event in Patterson Park last weekend! We were joined by amazing food and craft vendors, holiday characters, activity partners and musical performers who delighted all who came to the park to enjoy the festivities and the lighting of the Patterson Park Observatory.

Thats to all of the volunteers and members who supported the event, and to everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities. A special thanks to our sponsors who make this event possible, including Stage & Light Sponsor GAF, Fountain Sponsor Autani, and Window Sponsors Spa Adagio, Bike Powered Events, Snake Hill Baltimore. Patterson Park Academy of Music, and The Exchange Club of SE Baltimore.

The lights will remain up through January...be sure to get out to see them!

This event marks the end of our 2025 park calendar. Thank you to everyone who came out to the park this year to take a walk, a run, a bike ride, to play a sport or have a picnic, to enjoy the boat lake or attend an event, to visit the Observatory or anything in between! Keep an eye on our park calendar for upcoming programs and events in the park at pattersonpark.com/parkcalendar!

Check out our photo wrap up below!

Photos by Michael Ivan Schwartz

BCRP UPDATE: Mimi DiPietro Skating Center

(Español Abajo)

According to an official statement from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks regarding recent news about the Mimi DiPietro Skating Center in Patterson Park:

"Mimi DiPietro Skating Center is currently closed due to concerns about the structural integrity of the wall that houses the rink’s ammonia refrigeration system. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) has determined that, if repairs are successful, the rink will reopen briefly for the 2025–2026 season only [the earliest estimated reopening is late December 2025 or early January 2026]. After this season, the facility will close permanently due to its age and overall structural condition."

"Mimi DiPietro [Skating Center] has served the community for 39 years [or 58 years, including before the dome was added], but long-standing structural issues— including foundation concerns, dome integrity, and soil movement—were identified as far back as the 1998 Patterson Park Master Plan.

A new, structurally sound ice rink would cost $5–10 million, and given the City’s broader infrastructure demands, BCRP has reached the limits of what maintenance can safely support. Therefore, the 2025–2026 season will be the final operating season before long-term closure."

Please read the full statement below for more details. We expect more updates and will share them as they become available. Updates are also expected to be posted at bcrp.baltimorecity.gov.

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Aquí compartimos la declaración oficial completa del Departamento de Recreación y Parques de la Ciudad de Baltimore sobre el centro de patinaje Mimi DiPietro Skating Center en Patterson Park. Compartiremos cualquier noticia a medida que esté disponible. También se espera que más detalles y información se publiquen en bcrp.baltimorecity.gov.

«El Centro de Patinaje Mimi DiPietro está cerrado actualmente debido a preocupaciones sobre la integridad estructural de la pared que alberga el sistema de refrigeración por amoníaco de la pista. El Departamento de Recreación y Parques de la ciudad de Baltimore (BCRP - Baltimore Recnparks) ha determinado que, si las reparaciones tienen éxito, la pista volverá a abrir brevemente solo para la temporada 2025-2026 [ la reapertura más temprana estimada es a finales de diciembre de 2025 o principios de enero de 2026.]. Después de esta temporada, el edificio cerrará definitivamente debido a su antigüedad y al estado general de la estructura».

«Mimi DiPietro [Skating Center] ha prestado servicio a la comunidad durante 39 años, pero ya en 1998, en el Plan Maestro de Patterson Park, se identificaron problemas estructurales, entre ellos, problemas con los cimientos, la integridad de la cúpula y el movimiento del suelo. Una nueva pista de patinaje con una estructura sólida costaría entre 5 y 10 millones de dólares y, dadas las amplias necesidades de infraestructura de la ciudad, el BCRP ha alcanzado el límite de lo que el mantenimiento puede soportar de forma segura. Por lo tanto, la temporada 2025-2026 será la última antes del cierre definitivo».

Para más detalles, lea la declaración completa (por el momento solo disponible en inglés) a continuación.

2025 Brewfest Wrap Up

Thanks for coming out on such a picture perfect Fall day to celebrate our 8th Annual Patterson Park BrewFest! The event was a great hit and completely sold out! You helped us raise over $25,000 that goes towards Friends of Patterson Park and all that we do! Thanks to our attendees, breweries, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers who made it such a success!!

Special thanks to our amazing sponsors Window Nation, Wow Your Closet, Serve on Spring, and Capital Remodeling Inc!!

Thank you to our participating breweries for doing such an amazing job and bringing the brews to the park: Checkerspot Brewing Company, Mobtown Brewing Company, Oliver Brewing Company, UNION Craft Brewing, Raven Beer, M8 Beer, and Mystique Barrel Brewing and Lager House!!

Thanks to our awesome food vendors: Bmore Greek Grill, Taco Bar Food Truck, Diner on the Boulevard, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. As well as our craft vendors: Jewish Jerky Brand, Ellicott City Sauce Co, Art by Barton, and with an X art!!

Look out for our save-the-date for next year’s 9th Annual Patterson Park BrewFest!!

Thanks to our Sponsors:

FPP Announces next Executive Director

Katie Long

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Friends of Patterson Park, I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Katie Long as our new Executive Director.

Having served with Friends of Patterson Park as Program Director for 16 years, Katie brings with her a deep passion for community building, urban green spaces, and inclusive public engagement. With over a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and a strong record of fostering partnerships and driving mission-based growth, Katie is positioned to guide Friends of Patterson Park into its next exciting chapter.

She joins us at a pivotal moment as we continue to expand our impact in the community through programming, advocacy, and stewardship of Patterson Park, as well as growing our new Cedar House space. Katie’s background in community development and her commitment to equity and access align perfectly with our mission. We are confident she will be a strong voice for the Park and the people who love it.

The Board conducted a thorough search process, and Katie’s vision, experience, and enthusiasm stood out every step of the way. Her leadership will be instrumental in deepening our community connections and continuing to have Patterson Park remain a treasured green space among future generations.

"I’m both thrilled and deeply honored to step into the role of Executive Director with Friends of Patterson Park. This Park and this community mean so much to me—it’s been a joy to grow alongside both over the past 16 years. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful Patterson Park is as a gathering place, a resource of recreation and wellness, and a source of pride for so many people. I’m excited to continue building on that legacy with the rest of the fantastic FPP team and to invite even more neighbors, partners, and visitors to experience everything this incredible park has to offer.”

We also want to take a moment to thank our staff, volunteers, members, and partners for their ongoing dedication and support during this time of transition. The work of Friends of Patterson Park has always been grounded in collaboration, and we are excited to move forward together under Katie’s leadership.

Please join us in welcoming Katie Long in this new role with the Friends. We look forward to “re-introducing” her to many of you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, feel free to stop by our office or reach out with a note of welcome—we know she would love to hear from you.

With gratitude and anticipation,

Ted Walsh
Board President
Friends of Patterson Park

Park Volunteers Rock!

Volunteers are essential to caring for Patterson Park! We’re incredibly grateful for all that they do to not only make the park look beautiful, but how passionate they are about the health of our treasured green space. Check out this video highlighting Spring 2025’s Spring into Action volunteer day in Patterson Park!

Interested in getting involved? Sign up below for upcoming opportunities!

Video produced by Jeffrey White.

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Towson University Tennis Day Wrap Up

For the second time, Friends of Patterson Park partnered with the Towson University Women’s Tennis Team and USTA Mid-Atlantic to host the Towson University Tennis Play Day! Kids from Patterson Park were invited to join the TU team on the tennis courts at Towson University, where everyone got to show off their amazing tennis skills! The event began with a doubles exhibition match with TU players and was followed by a special on-court clinic where kids practiced their tennis skills, participated in fun games and drills, and received instruction from TU college players as well as TU Head Coach Jamie Peterson!

We want to thank all of the youth players, parents, Towson University Tennis Team, and coaches (along with TU Coach Peterson, we were joined by Coach Laura, Coach Maddy, and Coach Pinkett!) who came out to make the day so special. It was a great kickoff to the Fall Tennis season and we look forward to seeing everyone on the Patterson Park Tennis Courts!