Baltimore County presents two concepts for 22-acre Gerst Road park; residents push for passive, walkable design

Baltimore County officials on a public call presented two concept layouts for the 22-acre Gerst Road Park site in the Perry Hall area and said roughly $1 million is allocated for planning and design. County staff said they plan to hire a design consultant in the spring and aim to show consultant-developed concepts in fall 2025; construction, if funded, was estimated to begin in summer 2027.

The presentation, led by Bob Smith, director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, walked through two internal concepts — one largely passive with meadows, pollinator gardens and walking paths, and a second that added a concentrated active area with parking and multiple pickleball courts. "We have about $1,000,000 allocated toward design and planning for this site," Smith said, and noted the county has additional supplemental bond funding for design posted to the capital projects page.

Residents who spoke during the Q&A repeatedly urged a passive design and improved pedestrian access. "I believe that this space should just stay mostly green," resident Joe…