Greetings Trail Enthusiast!

Alert: Trail Summit Reports Now Available - Click here for Regional Summaries

The first ever Maryland Trails Summit convened on October 19, 2010 at the Holiday Inn BWI Airport Hotel in Linthicum was a huge success! This historic event brought together more than 200 enthusiastic trail users and stake-holders from all over Maryland and the neighboring states to discuss a vision for the future of trails in Maryland.

Attendees previewed a Web enabled interactive trails map and a Maryland Trails Website. The GIS mapping system allows citizens to see where trails are in the state, as well as gives planners data on where to make future connections. DNR’s trail Website was developed as a fluid clearinghouse for trail enthusiasts to share information, maps and suggestions in a comprehensive, easy-to-use site.

The Summit was the culmination of ideas and input from four regional roundtables that DNR hosted this summer,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.” “We will continue to build on our partnership with Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) who has helped fund trail initiatives thru recreational trails grants and staff assistance, resulting in terrific outcomes like the recently released commuter trails map. This will be followed by a trail initiative connecting the commuter trails to recreation trails around the state,” said Griffin “We look forward to continuing these conversations in the development of a shared vision for a Statewide Trails network.”

In addition to notes taken at the Regional Breakout Groups, here are some of the presentations made to the group at the Summit.

Thanks to our Trail Summit Sponsors

The Summit was supported in part by the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, REI, The NorthFace, National Park Service Challenge Cost-Share Program, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Office, and the Toole Design Group.