Douglas Patterson Park

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Parks

Maryland

Nearby: South Forestville Park Michael J Polley Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Douglas Patterson Park is a 70-acre park located in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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Summary

It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities for visitors of all ages and interests.

One of the main attractions of the park is its extensive trail system, which includes over five miles of paved and natural surface trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park also features a large playground, a picnic area with grills, a fishing pond, and a dog park.

In addition to its outdoor recreation offerings, Douglas Patterson Park is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. Visitors can often spot deer, foxes, and other animals while exploring the park's trails and wooded areas.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former farm and the presence of several historic buildings on the property. The park is also named in honor of Douglas Patterson, a local conservationist who played a key role in preserving the land that is now the park.

The best time of year to visit Douglas Patterson Park depends on personal preferences and the specific activities visitors are interested in. Spring and fall are popular seasons for hiking and enjoying the fall foliage, while summer is a great time for picnicking and enjoying the park's water features. Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, with opportunities for snowshoeing and winter wildlife watching.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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