Patapsco Heritage Greenway

Working to advance the interests of the Patapsco Valley for all who share it.

Maryland’s Heritage Areas allow us to explore parts of Maryland in a truly unique way. Within the Heritage Areas, individuals, businesses, non-profits, and governments form partnerships to preserve the best of Maryland’s historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes, and long-lasting traditions.

In 2015, Patapsco Heritage Greenway celebrated a major milestone when the Patapsco Valley became one of Maryland’s 13 certified Heritage Areas. This designation depended upon the unanimous approval of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA) Management Plan by both the Baltimore and Howard County governments.

In 2020, the PVHA boundary expanded northwest to extend from Granite and Marriottsville as well as southwest to the Baltimore City-County line including Daniels, Ellicott City, Oella, Catonsville, Ilchester, Relay, and Elkridge.

Vision

In 2025, the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area lies at the heart of a network of protected lands along the Patapsco River, representative of Maryland’s Piedmont forest and industrial heritage. Natural processes, natural beauty, and history combine to create a unique opportunity for neighboring residents and visitors from across the state and beyond, to understand and enjoy Maryland’s most dramatic river valley. Through the efforts of many partners, the public appreciates the significance of the valley’s heritage, understands its history, and enjoys the experience it has to offer

Mission

As the non-profit managing organization for the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA), Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) is dedicated to preserving, protecting, interpreting, and restoring the environment, history, and culture of Maryland’s most dramatic river valley for all.

The organization’s mission is closely aligned with the goals and vision outlined in the Management Plan for the Heritage Area.

Goals and Objectives:

Here are the five strategic goals that will help achieve our vision:

Stewardship: Promote and facilitate the stewardship of heritage resources to support interpretation and appreciation of the history of the Patapsco Valley, enhance the quality of life for residents, and ensure a unique visitor experience.

Interpretation: Provide heritage experiences for visitors focused on interpreting the Patapsco Valley’s vital importance in Maryland’s industrial revolution and its role in Maryland’s evolving resource stewardship and conservation ethic.

Heritage Tourism: Increase the economic benefits of heritage tourism in the Patapsco Valley.

Recreation: Offer residents and visitors opportunities to explore and learn about the heritage areas through a variety of quality recreation experiences.

Management: Maintain Patapsco Heritage Greenway, Inc as a strong, sustainable organization for Patapsco Heritage Greenway, Inc.

PVHA Historical Organization Partners, Grantees and Sponsors
  • Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
  • Baltimore County Arts Guild
  • Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences
  • Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks
  • Baltimore County Office of Tourism & Cultural Arts
  • Baltimore County Public Schools
  • Benjamin Banneker Foundation
  • Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum
  • Boy Scouts of America-Howard County and Baltimore County
  • Catonsville Arts and Entertainment District
  • Catonsville Chamber of Commerce
  • Catonsville Middle School
  • Catonsville Rails to Trails
  • Catonsville Recreation and Park Council
  • Catonsville Restaurant Association
  • Catonsville Tree Canopy Project
  • Chesapeake Conservancy
  • Choose Clean Water Coalition
  • Community College of Baltimore County
  • Community Ecology Institute
  • Defensores de la Cuenca
  • Diggs-Johnson Museum
  • EC250, Inc.
  • Elkridge Heritage Society
  • Elkridge Rotary Foundation
  • Ellicott City Partnership
  • Ellicott City Sunrise Rotary Club
  • Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park
  • Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
  • Girl Scouts of Central Maryland-Howard County Cluster
  • Granite Historical Society
  • Greater Arbutus Business Association
  • Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition
  • Greater Patapsco Community Association
  • Historical Society of Baltimore County
  • Howard County Arts Council
  • Howard County Chamber of Commerce
  • Howard County Conservancy
  • Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks
  • Howard County Historical Society
  • Howard County History Day (HCPSS)
  • Howard County Poetry and Literary Society
  • Howard County Tourism and Promotion (Visit Howard County)
  • Howard County Truth, Lynching and Reconciliation, Inc.
  • Howard EcoWorks
  • Izaak Walton League of America/Save our Streams
  • Lurman Woodland Theatre
  • Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership
  • Maryland Civil Air Patrol, Nike Missile Site BA-79
  • Maryland Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE)
  • Maryland Ornithological Society-Baltimore Bird Club
  • Maryland State Parks (Patapsco Valley State Park)
  • Oella Historical Society
  • Patapsco Valley State Park
  • Patterson Park Audubon
  • Restoring Bull Branch
  • Rotary Clubs of Howard County
  • Spring Grove Arboretum
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County (Choice Program)
  • Upper Patuxent Archaeology Group
Funding Support

Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability
Baltimore County Government
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Forever Maryland Foundation
Howard County Government
Howard County Office of Community Sustainability
Maryland DNR (Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund)
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority<
Maryland Humanities
Preservation Maryland