Central Forest Park
Neighborhood Reviews
The power of community
When some of the homes were built in the early 1900s, they were grand, two- and three-story residences. In 1935, Central Forest Park residents might have walked to see the debut screening of “Page Miss Glory” at the Art Deco-style Ambassador Theatre. Some may have hit the first golf balls on Forest Park Golf Course's original nine holes when it opened in 1934. Time took its toll on the community, however. The Ambassador closed after a fire, and “for many years, the area was a food desert,” Rodgers says. “From about 1988 to 2014, there was nowhere to buy food for miles.” Passionate community members lobbied for a grocery store and have worked to get the Ambassador Theatre restored. When the theater is completed, it will have a stage and a screen for movies, says Ramona Jones-McClaine, the executive director of Excellent Productions, who serves on the board for the Ambassador Theatre project. “It will be a hub for Black performers from around the country.” The golf course is a popular feature as well, and it now offers 18 holes for play.Large renovated homes in Central Forest Park
Along Central Forest Park’s wide, one-way streets, a mix of Foursquares, Queen Annes, Dutch Colonials and bungalows sit back from the sidewalks atop grassy lawns. The city’s decline in the mid-1900s led to most residences being converted into multifamily rental properties. Now, Rodgers says, change is moving in the other direction, and buyers and developers are switching homes back to their original layout, but with a few changes. “They often have first-floor bedrooms to allow for multigenerational living. An older family member can live on the first floor,” he says. Most residences exceed 2,000 square feet, and a few offer more than 5,000 square feet of living space over multiple floors. Some boast Queen Anne-style towers, colorfully tiled roofs or second-story balconies. Because of the degree of variety in the neighborhood, home prices vary depending on size and renovations. On average, an unrestored multifamily residence might sell between $200,000 and $300,000, while fully renovated single-family houses often list from $400,000 to just under $600,000. Noise from passing traffic on Liberty Heights Avenue may disturb homeowners, particularly those who live closest to it.
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Forest Park Golf Course and nearby parks
Homes in the community are less than 1 mile from three popular green spaces. A few blocks south is the Forest Park Golf Course, a public 18-hole course that remains open throughout the year. To the east is the 100-acre Hanlon Park, which is currently being updated. About 1 mile south of Central Forest Park is the expansive 1,000-plus-acre Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, with a community center, several tennis courts and picnic areas, as well as a nature center. In the summer months, residents can cool off in the Liberty Swimming Pool beside Liberty Elementary School.
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Central Forest Park is no longer a food desert
Though the neighborhood was once part of a large food desert, there is now a ShopRite just a few blocks away. One of the largest grocers in Baltimore City, the store includes a pharmacy, bakery and deli. It also offers a section of ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meals called Fresh to Table. Residents can walk to takeout restaurants along Liberty Hill Avenue, where they might find everything from fried chicken to Chinese food. Those looking for sit-down restaurants can drive or take the bus about 4 miles to the Charles Village neighborhood, which surrounds Johns Hopkins University, or to Mount Vernon, where museums and restaurants abound. Less than 3 miles east is the Mondawmin Mall, with chain retail shopping and a TGI Fridays restaurant.
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The Concord Community Parade and National Night Out
Annual events often involve residents of Central Forest Park, Gwynn Oak and Howard Park because they are all close to each other. In August, neighbors come to National Night Out, where there are snacks, a DJ and live performances. The event is an opportunity for community members to meet the police, firefighters and local delegates who also attend. On the third Saturday in December, marching bands and performance groups from around the area join the Concord Community Parade, which begins on Liberty Heights Avenue at the Concord Baptist Church. After the parade, participants ice skate and enjoy holiday refreshments as Santa passes out toys.Just a short walk to Liberty Elementary School
During the school year, children can walk to Liberty Elementary School on Maine Avenue, where they may learn from preschool through fifth grade. After they complete fifth grade, students select from middle and high options within Baltimore City Public Schools. One choice is Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School. Forest Park High School was rebuilt in 2018 as part of the Transform Baltimore: Build Schools, Build Neighborhoods initiative. It now includes an indoor pool and an upgraded media center. Forest Park offers after-school activities like a broadcast club, student government and drama club. All three schools receive a C-minus on Niche.
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Getting to work from Central Forest Park
Though many residents rely on cars for travel, the Maryland Transit Administration’s CityLink buses make several stops along Liberty Heights Avenue. Riders can connect to spots all around the city, including Johns Hopkins University or the Seagirt Marine Terminal, Port of Baltimore, where there are many employment opportunities. “A lot of people come to the area from Washington, D.C.,” Rodgers says. “The same house in D.C. is a $2 million house.” For these residents, access to Interstate 695, or the Beltway, is about 3 miles west. Some take Amtrak trains to and from their D.C. jobs — Baltimore Penn Station is less than 5 miles away.
Written By
Ginny West
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Son
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Ali Velasco
Ali Velasco
RLAH @properties
(888) 250-3158
59 Total Sales
1 in Central Forest Park
$490,000 Price
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Donnell Spivey
Donnell Spivey
EXIT Spivey Professional Realty Co.
(240) 394-7676
123 Total Sales
1 in Central Forest Park
$325,000 Price
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Darek Bogacki
Darek Bogacki
Cummings & Co. Realtors
(667) 303-1995
185 Total Sales
1 in Central Forest Park
$290,000 Price
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Lisa Harbour
Lisa Harbour
HER Properties, LLC
(667) 771-4077
32 Total Sales
1 in Central Forest Park
$539,900 Price
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Diane Kenworthy
Diane Kenworthy
Responds QuicklyNorthrop Realty
(443) 501-2785
71 Total Sales
1 in Central Forest Park
$150,000 Price
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Cynthia Taylor-Hicks
Cynthia Taylor-Hicks
Responds QuicklyLong & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
(240) 547-4181
199 Total Sales
1 in Central Forest Park
$298,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Hanlon Park
- Lake
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Howard Park
The Rev. Dr Graham Bryant Legacy Community Park
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Playground
William Mcgill Park
Windsor Hills Park
- Playground
Transit
Reviews
Niche Reviews
10/31/2015
Niche Review
Only thing I can say is it's ok, I can't afford to live anywhere else.
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Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Central Forest Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Forest Park Demographics and Home Trends
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$3,500,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$2,250,000
Last 12 months Home Sales
0
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$154
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
273
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,304
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,105
Median Age
46
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,088
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$59,308
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.5%
College Graduates
17%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.8%
% Population in Labor Force
53.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
30°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
47
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
67
/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
56
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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Dorchester
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East Arlington
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Forest Park
Long-standing Baltimore community with a variety of housing
Garwyn Oaks
Large residences in a historic Northwest Baltimore suburb
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