As part of a series for the rest of the year, each of Taneytown’s parks will be featured over the next six months, spotlighting their history, amenities, and the vision behind them. In July, readers will explore Bollinger Park, a 102-acre nature preserve and the city’s largest park. August will highlight Flickinger Park, a compact neighborhood playground named for former Mayor W. Robert "Bob" Flickinger. In September, Memorial Park will take center stage, with a focus on its role as both a community gathering space and a site of remembrance, including a tribute to Taneytown’s 9/11 loss. October brings attention to Roberts Mill Park, just in time for soccer season and fall walks around its scenic pond. November will feature Roth Avenue Park, a modest but vital green space for southeast neighborhood families. And in December—a month of celebration—Festival Park will be introduced, sharing the city’s exciting plans for this ambitious future venue for concerts, rallies, and large-scale events.

"Our parks are the heartbeat of Taneytown," said a former Mayor. "They reflect our community values and serve as welcoming spaces for play, reflection, and connection."

Coming in July: Bollinger Park

Located at 3775 Fringer Road, Bollinger Park is Taneytown’s newest and largest recreational area. It began with a generous gift in 1997 from Percy and Pauline Bollinger, who donated 51 acres with the vision of creating a peaceful nature reserve. The city expanded the property by acquiring 11 additional acres in 2003 and 40 more in 2014. After years of planning and phased development, the park officially opened in April 2024.

Bollinger Park is designed as a conservancy, not a sports complex. A paved, wheelchair-accessible trail stretches nearly a mile through wooded areas and meadows, with benches and a carved black bear sculpture providing resting spots and photo ops. A two-acre pollinator meadow supports native flora and fauna, while Piney Run Creek flows along the park’s edge. Solar-powered lights enhance the safety of the parking area for year-round visits. Already, the park is being embraced for Scout projects and nature education programs.

"We wanted to preserve something beautiful for future generations," stated an individual on behalf of the Bollinger family. "This park is our gift to the people of Taneytown."

August Spotlight: Flickinger Park

Tucked into the Copperfield subdivision, Flickinger Park offers a pocket-sized refuge for young families. Bordered by Morning Frost, Bancroft, and Kenan Streets, the park was developed in the early 2000s and officially dedicated in 2007. It honors Mayor W. Robert "Bob" Flickinger, who helped guide the city through a period of growth.

Flickinger Park features a central playground with separate toddler equipment, shaded benches, and open green space. Though modest, it provides a safe and convenient spot for local children to play. Proposed future upgrades include a picnic area and looping trails to enhance usability.

"Bob Flickinger believed in building community from the ground up," said one longtime resident. "This park is part of his legacy."

September Focus: Memorial Park

Located at 300 West Baltimore Street, Memorial Park is the heart of Taneytown’s recreational landscape. Nearly 40 acres in size, the park serves as a hub for sports, celebrations, and remembrance. Its namesake memorial, dedicated in 1953, honors local veterans and includes a tribute to a Taneytown resident lost in the September 11 attacks.

The city began assembling land for the park in the late 1940s, driven by a post-WWII push for recreational space. In 1999, an additional 22 acres were added to the south to allow for future expansion. Today, Memorial Park boasts multiple sports fields, three playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, a gazebo, a pond, a Story Stroll walking path, and eight public pavilions. Plans currently underway include four new natural turf athletic fields, a new playground, athletic-association building, and eco-friendly bioretention features.

"It’s more than a park," said one long term resident and veteran. "It’s a place where we remember, where we honor those who gave everything."

October Feature: Roberts Mill Park

Located at 4501 Stumptown Road, Roberts Mill Park was developed in the 1990s on land once used for agriculture. The 28-acre park is centered around a spring-fed pond popular with local anglers for trout, bass, bluegill, and crappie.

A paved, lighted walking trail loops around the pond, making it ideal for exercise and wildlife watching. The park includes three picnic pavilions, a large playground, a basketball court, and lighted soccer and lacrosse fields. A dual-section dog park was added in 2022, offering space for both large and small breeds. With its mix of active recreation and natural charm, Roberts Mill is a favorite fall destination.

November Highlight: Roth Avenue Park

Serving the southeast neighborhood, Roth Avenue Park is small but meaningful. Built in the early 2010s as part of a residential development, the park includes a toddler tot lot, a compact playground, and benches for resting or supervising children.

Although not suited for large events or sports, Roth Avenue Park provides a convenient, safe environment for young children to play close to home. Its simplicity is its strength, filling a vital need in the local community.

Coming in December: Festival Park

Festival Park is Taneytown’s most ambitious future park project. Located on a 26-acre tract north of Roberts Mill Park, the land was acquired in the 2010s with plans to create a venue for large-scale community events.

Proposed amenities include an amphitheater, open event lawns, RV hookups, restrooms, and ample parking. Once completed, the park will be the go-to spot for concerts, fireworks, food truck rallies, and seasonal celebrations. Festival Park will embody Taneytown’s spirit of community and serve as a regional draw for years to come.

"Festival Park represents our city’s future," said Parks Director Lorena Vaccare. "It’s where we’ll come together to celebrate, reflect, and grow."

Taneytown’s parks are more than green spaces; they are reflections of the city's growth, values, and commitment to improving quality of life. From the quiet trails of Bollinger Park to the bustling fields at Memorial and Roberts Mill, each park offers its own story and purpose. Over the next six months, residents will have the chance to rediscover these gems—and perhaps find new favorites along the way.