Talking History with Michael Paskowsky

By Scott Grove

Photography by Turner Photography Studio

Culler Lake, one of the amazing amenities in Frederick’s Baker Park, was constructed in 1939 and was a project of the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration. Michael Paskowsky, a local resident and member of the Friends of Baker Park, shares the little-known history of the lake, its decade-long renaissance and the recent opening of Culler Plaza.

Scott: Culler Lake had originally been the site of a farm. What’s known about the farm? 

Michael: It was owned by Jacob and Fannie Kidwiler and occupied the areas of what is now Culler Lake and Frederick High School. It was used as pasture for cattle and included two goldfish ponds and one ice pond that were situated near the present location of Culler Lake. Believe it or not, Frederick County was a huge commercial producer of goldfish in the 1920s. 

Scott: How did the land transfer into public ownership?

Michael: The Kidwilers conveyed nearly 40 acres to Frederick County in 1938. The Kidwilers’ original 18th-century stone farmhouse was razed, making way for a new modern high school. 

Scott: This was the plan for use of the land?

Michael: Yes, 4.25 acres was earmarked for the high school. The rest of the land was used as an extension to Baker Park’s original acreage. At this time, 2nd Street was also extended.

Scott: What was the reasoning for extending Baker Park?

Michael: It would allow for additional amenities and more space in general: the lake for boating and skating and a baseball field. 

Scott: Is Carroll Creek the stream that feeds Culler Lake?

Michael: Yes, Carroll Creek originates in Catoctin Mountain west of the city and joins with Rock Creek just west of the U.S. 15 overpass. Once they merge, the stream is called Carroll Creek.

Scott: Was the stone structure next to the lake once used as a skaters’ shelter? 

Michael: Yes, and probably a boat house in the summer. I don’t know a lot about the interior but there are built-in cubby holes for storing shoes and skates.

Scott: Why was the lake named for Mayor Lloyd Culler?

Michael: Lloyd Culler shaped Frederick in many ways. He served seven terms as mayor of Frederick between 1922 and 1950. In that time, Frederick modernized, doubled in size and Baker Park was created. His construction firm built homes, schools and churches, including Hood College, the Maryland National Guard Armory, Pythian Castle, the Baker Park Carillon and Calvary United Methodist Church. The dedication of Culler Lake took place on Jan. 8, 1940, and was a huge affair with a crowd of more than 2,000 attending.

Scott: How popular was ice skating among locals at the time? 

Michael: Ice skating was a favorite pastime, and many Frederick old-timers have nostalgic recollections of fishing, boating and skating on Culler Lake, captured in newspaper articles, postcards and photographs. There is also a darker and troubling aspect to the story. Being in an era of segregation, African American citizens were denied access to Baker Park. This mistreatment was well-documented by prominent individuals. For instance, Lord Nickens was arrested and fined for simply walking through Baker Park and William O. Lee recounted being chased out of the park. 

Scott: 2011 signaled the start of major renovation of Culler Lake. 

Michael: The Culler Lake Renaissance project was initiated by Friends of Baker Park in 2013 with the aim of reimagining the stark rectangular Depression-era design of the lake and enhancing its aesthetic character. Improving stormwater management was also a priority. The 2016 dredging of the lake removed 6,552 cubic yards of silt, the volume equivalent of two Olympic-sized pools. Three vegetated wetlands were designed to create a more naturalistic scene, but more importantly to promote a healthy lake environment.

Beneath the surface is a complex system that treats stormwater and improves the quality of outflow into Carroll Creek. A series of biological and engineered systems control the amount of sediment and harmful nutrients entering the lake. The disc-like hydrodynamic separator on 2nd Street pre-treats stormwater by removing grit, oils and trash. Water flows into the wetlands where plants absorb excess nutrients from street and lawn runoff. A submerged pump supplies the fountain, which cools and aerates the water. Fish habitat, salvaged from the rubble of the old, demolished fountain, supports aquatic species.

This was truly a community-wide project, primarily supported by the city government with substantial contributions from the state and generous individuals.

Scott: Is the construction of the plaza a part of the original 2011 plan? 

Michael: Yes, the recently finished Culler Plaza represents the culmination of the Culler Lake Renaissance, which took more than a decade to complete. It draws attention to the original stone bench and dedication plaque. It brings the story to the present by connecting the lake improvements to the natural environment. An interpretive panel and a depiction of the Monocacy River watershed etched on the granite hardscape illustrate how Carroll Creek feeds into the Monocacy River, which drains into the Potomac before flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. It highlights the fact that we live in a watershed.

Scott: Why do you have such affection for Baker Park?

Michael: I enjoy seeing the park used in so many ways. I like to think that Baker Park is to Frederick what Central Park is to New York City.

Michael Paskowsky, 71, was born in Philadelphia and moved to Frederick in 1977. He had a 37-year career with the National Park Service and is now employing his professional experience in the development of the AARCH Society’s African American Heritage Center in Frederick. Scott Grove is the owner of Grove Public Relations, LLC., a marketing and advertising firm. His work also includes interpretive planning and exhibit design for museums and historic sites. For more info, visit www.scottrgrove.com.