Leakin Park - Baltimore, MD

Leakin Park and adjoining Gwynns Falls Park were at one time the grounds of the estates of wealthy Baltimoreans, donated to and acquired by the city to form a stream valley park. Over the years, the neighborhoods surrounding the park have seen many challenges as the population changed from estates to more modest row houses and apartments. The park itself gained nationwide fame after being featured on the NPR podcast "Serial."

Aside from the historic features of the park itself, no museums exist in the immediate neighborhood. However, at the nearby library in Owings Mills, the Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball showcases this period in American baseball history through displays, artifacts and memorabilia.

For 42 years, the Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival has attracted vendors, artists and art lovers from all over Maryland. Each September, hundreds of booths line Frederick Road, displaying and selling arts and crafts.

The restaurants and diners lining Edmondson Avenue south of Leakin Park reflect the no-frills character of the neighborhood, serving no-nonsense food in plain, comfortable surroundings. Shirley's Family Diner in Catonsville has your basic diner breakfast fare: huge portions of eggs, waffles and pancakes. Try the strawberry cheesecake pancakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. When looking for Shirley's, be warned that it looks like an IHOP since it used to be one.

Nothing hits the spot like hot soups and sandwiches, the specialty of the house at Grilled Cheese & Co. in Catonsville. Get buttery, gooey comfort food on thick slabs of toasted ciabatta or white bread. Try the Crabby Melt, which drips with cheese and crab dip.

Each of the neighborhoods around Leakin Park favors its own corner bar or lounge. Bullwinkle's Saloon, one of the best, prides itself on being a fun dive bar for a night out on the town. Grab a cold brew, put some tunes on the jukebox and shoot some pool or play a round of cornhole with friends.

Residents in the Leakin Park area can choose from a broad spectrum of transportation options. As an urban area, most local destinations can be reached on foot or by bicycle. Bicyclist must be careful though; they must share the street with cars, since bike lanes are rare.

Car owners have easy access to I-70, which terminates on the west end of Leakin Park. The west side of the neighborhood also meets I-695, otherwise known as the Baltimore Beltway. I-695 encircles the city and provides the main commuter route. Route 40, Edmondson Avenue, runs directly into the center of Baltimore, and west to farther-flung bedroom communities. Parking can be a challenge, as in most urban areas.

Several bus routes run through and around the Leakin Park vicinity, making mass transit a convenient and economical way to travel. Uber and cab companies serve the area as well.

As the heart of this neighborhood, Gwynns Falls and Leakin Park consist of over 1200 acres of continuous parkland, most of it so heavily forested that it resembles wilderness. The film "The Blair Witch Project" shot scenes here for the remote feel. In reality, the park serves as a center of the community, with activities and amenities for all ages. Trails for biking and hiking thread through the park, including the 15-mile Gwynns Falls Trail which follows a stream from the north to the south sides and connects other parks as well. Children enjoy riding the Chesapeake and Allegheny Live Steamers, a miniature steam railroad that gives free rides during the warmer months. The Carrie Murray Nature Center houses a rehabilitation center for injured wildlife, a Bug House, live reptiles and amphibians and a hawk house.

Orianda Mansion, the former residence of the Winans family, still stands on the park grounds and rents the ballroom for events. Each year, the Baltimore Herb Festival takes place in May in the gardens of the estate near the Celeste Winans Chapel, featuring vendors, exhibitors, lectures and music.

Leashed pets are permitted in the park.

The cost of living around Leakin Park varies depending on the precise location. The neighborhood closely follows Baltimore City, running about 2 percent higher. For a one-bedroom apartment, residents pay on average $917 per month. Bus service to the center of Baltimore is $1.60. A beer in a local pub goes for around $4, and gas prices hover around 4 percent lower than the national average.

For shopping opportunities, the Leakin Park neighborhood has two major malls nearby. To the west, Security Square Mall houses dozens of stores and restaurants, with other retailers surrounding it. Honeycomb Hideout in Security Square stocks the trendiest women's fashions from the hottest designers as well as jewelry and accessories from local artisans. On the east side of the area, shoppers flock to Mondawmin Mall for shops such as Forever 21, Ross, Marshalls, and GameStop.

Grocery shopping can pose a challenge for residents in this neighborhood. The Giant supermarket on Edmondson Avenue may not be convenient for everyone. Local groceries and mini-marts in each area provide most of the staples. The nearest farmers market, Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore, requires a long trip but supplies every kind of fresh produce and also provides a meat counter.