# Cromwell Valley Kilns Attract Birds and Hikers

> Historic lime kilns at Cromwell Valley Park now draw birds and hikers after stabilization.
- Title: Cromwell Valley Kilns Attract Birds and Hikers · The Banner
- Summary: Historic lime kilns at Cromwell Valley Park now draw birds and hikers after stabilization. Cromwell Valley Park’s lime kilns, stabilized in 2015, attract…
- Keywords: cromwell valley park, lime kilns, baltimore county, birding, history nights, thirties and birdies, fox kits, shanklin family, furnace town living heritage village, baltimore county council, news, local
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/community/local-news/cromwell-valley-park-kilns-birds-QAO65DVQZZH23AKHRMN2WSP3W4
- Author: Rona Kobell
- Published: 2026-09-30T09:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cromwell valley park, lime kilns, baltimore county, birding, history nights, thirties and birdies, fox kits, shanklin family, furnace town living heritage village, baltimore county council, news, local
## Kilns Attract Birds
Hikers visit Cromwell Valley Park’s lime kilns for history and stay for birds.

> Hikers come to Cromwell Valley Park’s kilns for the history and stay for the birds
## Bird Species in Kilns
Seven woodpecker species and red-winged blackbirds flock to the kilns area.
## Kilns Stabilized
Jim Kelly stabilized crumbling lime kilns with $300,000 from the France-Merrick Foundation.
## Historic Kilns
The lime kilns date back to 1785 and were built by the Risteau, Jenifer, and Shanklin families.
## Kilns and Fox Kits
Fox kits have been seen nesting in the kilns, attracting photographers.
## Park Construction
Cromwell Valley Park’s road widening project will continue until January 2027.
## History Programs
Volunteers host history nights and birding programs at the park.
## Kilns as Historical Reminder
The kilns remind visitors of Baltimore County’s agricultural past before modern development.
## Key takeaway

Cromwell Valley Park’s lime kilns, stabilized in 2015, attract birds and hikers while preserving Baltimore County’s agricultural history.