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!

Mueveton + BabyFest 5K Wrap Up

On September 7th, Friends of Patterson Park was thrilled to partner with Baltimore Medical Systems and Johns Hopkins Centro Sol for the annual Mueveton + BabyFest 5K & Health and Fitness Expo! This year’s event was held with the 5K run/walk starting and finishing near the Patterson Park Observatory. In partnership with Road and Trail Events, the race was timed and chipped for the first time ever and, even on a rainy Sunday morning, we had 123 finishers of the 5K! Check out the race results and race photos from the event!

We want to thank our lead sponsor Johns Hopkins Medicine, along with media sponsor Somos Baltimore Latino, and all of the wonderful community partners, organizations, and volunteers who came out to make this year’s Mueveton + BabyFest 5K and health and fitness expo a success! A special thanks to USTA Mid-Atlantic’s Tennis Play Day, and SaveMart and Leftover Love for providing delicious post-race food.

Lastly, we want to thank all of the kids, adults, babies in strollers, and dogs who came out to participate in the free 5K around the park and the expo. We can’t wait to see everyone for next year’s Mueveton + BabyFest!

Summer Concert Series Wrap Up

Thank you for another WONDERFUL Friends of Patterson Park Summer Concert Series presented by PNC w/ media partners WYPR & WTMD!

We want to thank everyone who came out throughout the summer for some amazing concerts below the Observatory, as well as thank all of the performers, sound engineers, sponsors, and vendors that made the series another great one!

Thank you to presenting sponsor PNC and media partners WYPR and WTMD, as well as supporting sponsors Mark Supik & Company, David Rosario State Farm Insurance, Maryland State Arts Council, and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks!

Click through below to see some of the photos from this year’s concert series.

Citi DC Open Kids Day Wrap Up

We want to thank the kids, coaches, and parents who got on the bus early Saturday morning and went with Friends of Patterson Park to the Mubadala Citi DC Open! Our Tennis 101, Match Ready, and Girls Rule the Court™ players all got to be on center court with the pros in the morning participating in fun tennis games and drills. We then got to watch some great tennis matches, get player autographs, participate in all of the days activities (in part with Coach Janet on court!), and get an up close look at how the pros get ready for a match on the practice courts (including Venus Williams!).

We of course want to thank USTA Mid-Atlantic, the Kahlert Foundation and USTA Foundation for supporting free youth tennis programming in Patterson Park and this trip!

We can’t wait to start up the next session of FPP youth tennis later this month and look forward to more Patterson Park tennis throughout the year!

Park After Dark Campout Wrap Up

In honor of the stories of neighbors sleeping out in the park to escape the heat, we revived the camping event Park After Dark, affectionately known as PAD.  More than 100 people enjoyed s’mores, a nature walk, Baltimore-themed Trivia, and a beautiful night in the park!  This year, we were also joined by folks from the UMBC Observatory, who brought their telescope out and shared fun facts about the night sky. Huge thanks to our partners Breath of God Lutheran Church, Realtor Rebecca Hall, and Leftover Love who organized and provided the food for the event. We couldn't have done it without them or the people who pitched their tents with us!

Friends announces Interim Director

Friends of Patterson Park Names Katie Long
as Interim Executive Director

Friends of Patterson Park (FPP) is pleased to announce that Katie Long, the organization’s current Program Director, will serve as Interim Executive Director beginning this spring. Katie steps into this leadership role following the departure of longtime Executive Director Jennifer Arndt Robinson, who served the organization from 2014 to 2025 and is leaving to pursue new opportunities.

Katie will lead the organization during this period of transition, working closely with the current staff to manage day-to-day operations and ensure continuity of programs and partnerships. FPP’s Board of Directors is preparing to open a search for the executive director position and has engaged nonprofit management consultant Laurie Kinkel to support the executive search and guide the organization through this important leadership transition.

“Katie has been an integral part of our team and has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to Patterson Park and the community we serve,” said Teddy Walsh, President of the Friends of Patterson Park Board. “Her leadership, institutional knowledge, and thoughtful approach make her the ideal person to steward the organization at this time.”

A respected and experienced nonprofit professional, Katie has served as FPP’s Program Director for the past several years, during which she has launched and overseen many annual park events, introduced a simultaneous family programming model, and developed and enhanced collaborations with nonprofit partners, funders, and community members.

“I’m honored and excited to step into the role of interim executive director for Friends of Patterson Park,” said Katie Long. “This park and its amazing community have meant so much to me over the years, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity. I’m committed to continuing our work to make Patterson Park a vibrant space for everyone to enjoy.”

As the organization looks ahead, Friends of Patterson Park remains dedicated to its mission to preserve, promote, and protect Patterson Park for the benefit of all. FPP thanks Jennifer Arndt Robinson for her extraordinary leadership over the past 11 years, and the entire community for their continued support during this exciting new chapter.