Patapsco’s Cascade Trail System Receives 2005 Annual Achievement Award
From The Coalition For Recreational Trails

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the second time this month, the Maryland Park Service has again received national recognition for one of its trails. The Cascade Trail System in Patapsco Valley State Park was one of nine trails and the only one on the East Coast to receive a 2005 Annual Achievement Award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT). The awards were handed out at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on June 7.

The Cascade Trail System at Patapsco Valley State Park is a very popular and heavily used trail system in central Maryland convenient to both Baltimore and Washington visitors. Over the years, many diverse users groups -- including hikers, bikers and equestrians -- have enjoyed the trail system; however, due to heavy use, erosion and weathering conditions the system was in need of extensive repair.

Several sections of the trail were declared impassable because of the hazardous conditions the presented. Park staff corrected the erosion concerns by the installation of cribbing and water bars, and rock steps were constructed to alleviate hazardous and often slippery conditions. The installation also lessened some of the erosion along the stream banks. An aesthetically-pleasing natural bridge was constructed of locust timbers and switchbacked re-routing was developed to improve the system.

In addition to accepting the Annual Achievement Award at the ceremony, the Maryland Park Service also received a citation for outstanding achievement from Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md, 8th District) for the innovative work with the Cascade Trail. A complete list of award winners can be found at http://americantrails.org/awards/CRTawards.html.

Nominations for the Annual Achievement Awards are qualified and funded through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). First established in 1991 and then reauthorized as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the program returns a portion of federal gasoline taxes generated by non-highway recreation to the states for trail-related purposes. The RTP is administered by the Federal Highway Administration. The funding has become the foundation for state trails programs in every state, making an investment of nearly $50 million a year in trails and greenways that benefit all Americans. The CRT supports the implementation and ensuring of adequate funding for recreational trail projects.

The Coalition for Recreational Trails is a federation of all of the major national and regional organizations that support trails. The members of the CRT work together to build awareness and understanding of the RTP, to support its effective implementation, and to help ensure that it receives adequate funding. The CRT is assisted by the American Recreation Coalition. For more information, visit http://www.funoutdoors.com/coalitions/crt.

The Maryland Park Service, a division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), oversees 48 state parks, seven natural environmental areas, and 23 natural resource management areas.

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June 16, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov