About Holt Park
Nestled in the heart of the Overlea Fullerton Community is the Holt Center, donated to Baltimore County by Lillian Holt in 1974.
The park is comprised of sixteen acres of meadow, woodland, and lawn, with landmarks such as a lily pond, garden, campfire ring, outdoor amphitheater, historic cabins, and walking trails. The Holt Center offers educational nature and art programs which are affordable or free.
The park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. The Holt Center and offices are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Holt Park is not able to rent facilities for private events. Several other county parks do have pavilions for rent.
History of the Park
What is now a public park was originally the McCormick family farm. In the 1930s, the country was in the grips of the Great Depression and Lillian, then in her 40s, was unmarried. Her father worried for her future and from this concern grew a plan: he and others built six rustic cabins on the property, three to be rented for income and one for Lillian, which she later called “The Marcharlotte House.”
From the time that the McCormick family moved there, Lillian’s parents Tom and Hattie ensured that the land was shared with the community. Tom led religious study in the woods and Lillian held a Sunday School class for children. Lillian earned a degree in religious education and, in 1925, a preacher’s license, which was very uncommon for a woman of her time.
Lillian married Methodist minister John E. Holt in 1945, and they enjoyed nineteen years of marriage before his death in 1964. She often painted from her porch, and it is in the memory of her love of the arts, including storytelling, that our art programs have been developed.
When Lillian McCormick Holt died in 1976, she left her land to Baltimore County with the wish that it remain “tranquil in nature.” Since then, it has been host to live music and public events, used as studio and gallery space by local artists, and been a home to the continuation of Lillian’s legacy of sharing arts and education with the community.
Park Rules
Holt Park is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Please be aware of our park rules and regulations to ensure that Holt Park is a safe place for everyone to enjoy, including our wildlife.
Park employees are the authority on the interpretation and enforcement of park rules. Any violation of the rules and regulations shall result in the persons being asked to leave the Park. Those persons may also be subject to legal action.
- Do not enter the park after sunset unless you are registered for a staff-led program.
- Place trash and recyclables in the appropriate container, or take them with you when you leave.
- Fireworks, balloons, and confetti are not allowed in the park.
- Live music is welcome at the park, but please play acoustically or keep your speaker at a low volume.
- We are a smoke and drug free park. Please refrain from smoking at park facilities, and dispose of trash properly. Alcohol is allowed only with a written permit.
Pets at the Park
Pets must be leashed at all times and in all areas of the Park. Owners are responsible for cleanup. Waste bags and receptacles are located near the parking lot. Those who do not comply may be issued citations.
Holt's Trails and Facilities
- Bicycles are welcome on our paved surfaces. Please do not bike on fields or trails within a day of rain--allow the ground to dry first to prevent erosion.
- Motorized vehicles are NOT allowed in the park, with the exception of mobility devices. Dirt bikes and ATVs are prohibited.
- Campfires are NOT allowed in the park unless part of a staff-led or Scout program. Campfire rings may NOT be used by the general public. Scout groups must contact the Park Office to schedule campfire ring use prior to their program.
- The amphitheater and picnic areas are first-come, first-served, unless reserved for a scheduled program. We do not offer facility reservations to outside groups at this time.
Volunteer at Holt
Holt Park needs volunteers year-round for gardening, trail maintenance, and educational programs. Talk to us about opportunities for scout projects, too!