Wilson Point Park is an award winning 25-acre neighborhood park located in Middle River, Baltimore County, MD. It is part of Baltimore County’s “east side renaissance” program to revitalize struggling older neighborhoods and attract people to the eastern area of the County. The property was formerly a mid-rise residential community that evolved into section-8 housing, a commercial business and several dilapidated homes. Baltimore County purchased the land, met numerous times with the local community and Department of Natural Resources to establish the uses for the park.

The park includes a double boat ramp with piers, floating dock, boardwalk, performance trellis and festival lawn, picnic pavilions, restroom facilities (comfort station), playground, athletic fields, pathway system, and parking for cars and boat trailers.

The County was creative in raising funds, partnering with the Federal and State governments to raise $7 million for the Wilson Point Park project. This commitment towards public parks is significant. The property is in the Critical Area (within 1000 ft. of Chesapeake Bay) and subject to restrictions. Requirements of Maryland Department of Environment, Army Corps of Engineers, and Maryland Aviation Administration; required numerous & extensive reviews to assure compliance with regulations. The Challenge was to meet all of the diverse needs within the available funding and still make the park relevant to the Middle River community.

The site’s character on the north end is influenced by views of the Lockheed Martin facility & Martin State Airport (formerly Glenn Martin Manufacturing); a distinctly industrial flavor. During the search for inspiration for a design theme, we discovered interesting history about the former Glenn Martin facility. This historical legacy became the impetus for an aeronautical theme. The park structures and amenities are designed with standard metal components to provide an image consistent with aeronautical facilities. The design is representative of aircraft components and airport facilities such as hangers, compasses, wings, tails, propellers, struts, trusses, cables, aluminum panels and other simple metal components.