PHOTOS: Robert E. Lee Park Re-Opens

It had been a year and a half since Brian Devlin last cast his line into Lake Roland, and the amateur angler was itching for a catch.

He left empty-handed Friday, but the Roland Park resident was happy to be back at his perch at The Baltimore City-owned park officially re-opened Friday under a long-term lease with Baltimore County and following several years of multi-million dollar renovations.

And just in time, too.

"It's a beautiful park," Devlin said. "It's coming into one of it's most beautiful seasons."

Robert E. Lee Park, once part of an 18th century land grant by Lord Baltimore, was home to a Baltimore City reservoir in the 1850s and became a city-owned park in the 1940s. But by the 21st century, the park, designated as a national historic district in 1992, had become a haven for crime and was littered with trash.

Residents rallied and Baltimore County eventually the 415-acre park, located just north of the city line, from the city. The county and state have pledged $6.1 million toward renovations there, $3.7 million of which has been spent.

The renovations are "really aimed at restoring this treasure into what I believe will be one of the finest multi-faceted parks in the region," said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Improvements include a new foot bridge over Lake Roland, a pedestrian bridge from the Falls Road light rail station and a two-acre dog park.

Future plans include regular nature activities led by the park's new rangers and Acorn Hill, a play area for children. Peter Maloney, president of the park's nature council, said his group is still seeking funds for the project.

Check out our pictures, or if you're an amateur nature photographer, go ahead and add your own by clicking the green button under the photos.