Three Notch Trail

St. Mary County Department of Recreation & Parks is pleased to announce that the Three Notch Trail project is currently under construction. The recreational trail is being constructed along the 28-mile, County owned railroad right-of-way (ROW), which runs south from Hughesville (in Charles County) to Lexington Park (to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station). The trail will be a non-motorized pedestrian, bicycle and equestrian trail. The trail is being constructed of asphalt and will be 10 feet wide in most sections. Appropriate signage, benches, crosswalks and road barriers are also included in the scope of work. The project will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Phase I of the trail begins at Route 236 in New Market and proceeds approximately one mile north to the Northern County Senior Center in Charlotte Hall. This area of the trail provides connections between the Charlotte Hall Library, the St. Mary’s County Farmers’ Market, the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, the new St. Mary’s County Welcome Center and the Northern Senior Center and links the villages of New Market and Charlotte Hall. Phase I is now complete.

Phase II of the trail begins at the Northern Senior Activity Center and runs about 2.25 miles north to Deborah Drive, in Charles County. This section is also now complete.
Phase III, from Wildewood to Wal-Mart, is being constructed by several private developers in the California area. The Wildewood, South Plaza and Wal-Mart sections are now complete. The County is in the process of constructing Phase IVA, from Wal-Mart to Chancellor’s Run Road. Phase IVB, from Chancellor’s Run Road to Pegg Road, will be constructed in the future as part of the FDR Blvd. community road project.

Construction is also complete on Phase V, from John V. Baggett Park in Laurel Grove to MD Rt. 5 in Mechanicsville. The design and engineering for Phase VI, from MD Rt. 5 to MD Rt. 236, is currently underway and construction is anticipated in FY 14. When Phase VI is complete, the northern portions of the trail will run for 11 continuous miles. Phases VII, VIII & IX, from Wildewood to Baggett Park, are planned for FY 16 and beyond, as funding permits.

Parking and restrooms along the Charlotte Hall section of the trail can be found at the Northern Senior Center, St. Mary’s County Welcome Center and at the Charlotte Hall Library. Parking along Phase V of the trail in Mechanicsville is located at the Gospel Light Baptist Church and at John V. Baggett Park at Laurel Grove.

The plan for the trail is included in the June 2001 Southern Maryland Regional Trail and Bikeway System (SMRTABS) Study prepared for the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. The 2000 & 2005 St. Mary’s County Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plans also recommend the development of a network of greenways, bikeways, and trails in the County and specifically refer to the Charlotte Hall to Lexington Park trail. The plan for the trail is also consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

Development of the County’s railroad right-of-way into a hiking, biking and equestrian trail will provide numerous recreational, tourism and transportation opportunities. The trail will also help promote the health and wellness benefits of walking, biking and rollerblading.

Indian Head Rail Trail

The Indian Head Rail Trail is Charles County’s exciting new recreational trail. A generous gift through the Department of Interior’s Federal Lands to Parks Program, Charles County has completed converting this abandoned railroad corridor into a 13-mile bike trail. Connecting the Town of Indian Head to Route 301 in White Plains, the IHRT traverses approximately halfway across our County.
Without doubt, the IHRT is a unique opportunity to enjoy some of Southern Maryland’s most undeveloped natural areas. Originally built in 1918 as a supply route for the Navy’s Indian Head Powder Factory, this elevated rail bed passes through the Mattawoman Creek stream valley. Cyclists, hikers and nature enthusiasts will experience the surroundings of mature forests, natural wetlands and occasional farmland. Wildlife abounds! Visiting the IHRT is almost like stepping back in time.

Western Maryland Rail Trail

Beginning approximately one-half mile west of historic Fort Frederick State Park in Big Pool, Maryland, the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) winds along the Potomac River through rolling farmland, woodlands, and rural towns to its terminus at the southern slope of Sideling Hill Ridge. In August of 1990, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources acquired 20.3 miles of the abandoned segment of the Western Maryland Railroad Line, and the three lots in the Town of Hancock from CSX Transportation, Inc. The rail corridor was purchased with state-wide DNR Program Open Space funding at a cost of $1,042,000.

The WMRT follows a path rich in history. The Potomac River valley has been an important transportation corridor for hundreds of years. From the Native Americans to the National Road to the C&O Canal, people have always traveled the path of the Potomac River. The Western Maryland Railway was no exception. In its heyday, the Western Maryland Railway was a lifeline to the tri-state area of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Through the construction of the WMRT on this abandoned railroad bed, numerous opportunities are now available to visit old ruins of days past. There are interpretive signs along the length of the trail at many of these locations.

The WMRT currently offers about 23 miles of flat, paved trail surface. The eastern terminus of the trail, known as Big Pool Station, is located ½ mile west of historic Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County, Maryland. Many visitors begin their WMRT excursions here although some prefer to start at the western terminus located in Pearre, Maryland, near Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area. The WMRT parallels the C&O Canal for its entire length.

Common activities that people enjoy on the trail include hiking, biking, jogging and inline skating. The easy grade and paved surface make this path ideal for families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (the trail is very wheelchair friendly) to enjoy a trek outside. The trail is suited to anyone seeking a pleasant, leisurely outdoor experience. Biking and walking are the most popular uses of the WMRT. Pets are permitted on the trail.

The Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT), an asphalt paved path that was reclaimed from the former Western Maryland Railroad and is maintained by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The WMRT is a 20+ mile trail that follows the bends and curves of both the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. The WMRT is perfect for hiking, biking, inline skating (roller blading) or, weather permitting, crosscountry skiing. And it's handicap accessible. From Hancock, Maryland, the trail travels 10 miles to the east to about 1/2 mile from Fort Frederick State Park, and another ten miles to the west to Polly's Pond (a small body of water where canal boats would winter). The trail is especially suited to families, novice cyclists (it's almost completely flat), and for anyone seeking a pleasant, leisurely ride.

The section from Fort Frederick opened in 1998, and the western route provided an additional ten miles in 2002. Crossovers to the C & O Canal will be found at mile markers 117 and 119 and at the Hancock Station parking area.

The trail is open year round and offers ample parking at the Hancock Station, just off Main Street in the historic town of Hancock.

Area Information contact:

Hancock Chamber of Commerce
126 W. High Street, Hancock, MD 21750
Phone: 301-678-5900
E-mail: info@HancockMaryland.com 
Hours: 9AM-4:30PM

Greater Allegheny Passage

When completed, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage will connect with the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Maryland to create a 334.5-mile traffic and motorized vehicle-free route between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. The Montour Branch will, when completed, connect McKeesport to the Pittsburgh International Airport and Coraopolis.

The trail has a packed crushed limestone surface for a smooth ride. Built mainly on abandoned rail beds, the trail is nearly level with the average grade of less than 1%. The steepest eastbound grade - 0.8% - is from Harnedsville to Markleton and Garrett to Deal. The steepest westbound grade is from Cumberland to Deal at 1.75%. Near the Big Savage Tunnel, the trail crosses the Eastern Continental Divide. From that point going east, the trail drops 1,754 feet in 24 miles to reach Cumberland and, going west, it drops 1,664 feet in 126 miles to reach Pittsburgh.

From Cumberland to Washington, DC, you drop 625 feet to sea level on the C&O Canal towpath. The towpath is overall much less improved than the GAP, as it was built for mules and not railroads. Be prepared for ruts, tree roots, mud and mosquitoes.

Bicycling and hiking are the two most popular activities. In addition, sections of the trail system are open to equestrians. Horses are permitted only on the grassy areas between Boston & Connellsville; Rockwood & Garrett; Frostburg & State Line. The trail system is universally accessible between dawn & dusk. Winter snow allows cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Fishermen take the trail to favorite fishing spots. Bird watching is another favorite activity.

• Economic Impact Great Allegheny Passage - 2010-2011
  

Gunpowder Falls State Park: Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

Named for the third Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Torrey C. Brown (TCB) Rail Trail follows 21 miles of the former the Northern Central Railway (NCR) in northern Baltimore County.

The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail extends from Ashland, Maryland north to the Maryland-Pennsylvania line, and passes through historic communities including Ashland, Phoenix, Monkton, White Hall, Bentley Springs and Freeland. Hikers, joggers, bicyclists, horseback riders and pets on leashes are welcome. The TCB Rail Trail users are welcome to continue their journey north into Pennsylvania by traveling on the York County Heritage Trail.

Points of interest include:

The Torrey C. Brown Trail, completed in 1984, is one of the best hiking and biking trails in the Mid-Atlantic region. It allows for more than 20 miles of flat travel on the crushed-stone surface, punctuated by a number of access points and an abundance of trees that provide refreshing shade on hot summer days. The trail begins in Cockeysville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore, and ends just over the state line in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, where the Mason-Dixon Line divides the southern Atlantic states from the Northeastern states.

The history of the rail-trail dates back to 1832, when the Northern Central Railroad carried passengers—people vacationing at Bentley Springs—and freight between Baltimore and York or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The railroad ran for about 140 years, and you can still see part of the old bed, which was converted to a rail-tail in the early 1980s. Today, the Torrey C. Brown Trail is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park.

Amenities along the route include picnic and park benches, drinking fountains for hikers and bikers—dogs too—and portable restrooms. Just off the trail you can enjoy a small art gallery, an antique shop and several places to buy food and drinks. Hotels and motels can be found within a mile of the trail, and there is easy access to a bike shop that rents and repairs bikes. The trail cuts through several charming Maryland towns: Monkton (a major stop for hikers and bikers), Parkton, Falls Overlook and Bentley Springs. At the MD–PA border near New Freedom, PA, the trail continues as the Heritage Rail Trail County Park.

Patapsco Valley State Park Trails

Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 16,043 acres and eight developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails, as well as picnicking for individuals or large groups in the park’s many popular pavilions.

The park is nationally known for its trail opportunities and scenery. We have 170 miles of trails, with 70 of those miles identified as maintained trails. There are hiker only trails and multi-use trails accessible from many areas of Patapsco.

In one of Maryland’s first state parks (1907), the valley and its natural resources have been enjoyed by the Native Americans, explorers, settlers and present-day citizens. With its source in Frederick and Carroll counties, the Patapsco serves the Port of Baltimore, and empties into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Avalon Visitor Center houses exhibits spanning over 300 years of history along the Patapsco River. Housed in a 19th century stone dwelling in the Avalon Area, the center includes a re-creation of a 1930’s forest warden’s office.

Patapsco Valley State Park encompasses 16,000 acres and five developed recreational areas. It is home to 170 miles of rugged, natural-surface trails that climb the hillsides along the river, popular among mountain bikers, equestrians and distance hikers. But one need not be a triathlete to enjoy the park's amenities. For those looking for a less strenuous workout, there is the Grist Mill Trail, a more moderate route and popular destination for parents with children in strollers, families on biking trips and people with disabilities. The Grist Mill Trail parallels the river for a mile and a half and provides a close-up view of its scenic beauty, while leading past numerous sites of historic interest.

In the fall of 2003, a new multi-use section of the trail opened near Ellicott City to enhance ADA- (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible recreational opportunities. The original section of the Grist Mill Trail connects the famed swinging bridge in the Avalon Area of the park to Lost Lake, a special fishing area for children under age 16, senior citizens and visitors with disabilities, and once a reservoir for the Avalon Iron and Nail Works and the Baltimore County Water Company. The 1.2-mile extension leads from the swinging bridge to the river's edge near Ilchester. The trail temporarily terminates at an old railroad bridge abutment, but plans are in place to build a bridge over the river to connect to local roads. The new segment brings the total amount of paved trails in the park to slightly more than 2 1/2 miles and extends the Grist Mill Trail to a distance of five miles.

Trail users stroll past several historic sites worth noting. The Patapsco Valley's rich resources attracted entrepreneurs who harnessed the river's waterpower for 18th and 19th century industries, and because of its proximity to Baltimore, it served as a gateway between western Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. As a result, the valley was developed as a transportation route and serves as a crossroads for the National Road, regional turnpikes and the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad. Remnants of these early industries and the railroad can still be seen along the trail.

An observant cyclist or hiker may serendipitously find the ruins of the Orange Grove Flour Mill, which opened in 1856, and the Bloede Dam, an engineering feat of the early 20th century. It was the first hydroelectric dam in the U.S. where the turbines are located inside its hollow core, maximizing efficiency in power generation.

The original path of the B&O Railroad between Baltimore City and Ellicott City (1830) is also here; these were the first 13 miles of railroad track laid in the country. Horses drew the original rail cars while the steam engine was being perfected. Relics from the B&O Railroad include portions of the Patterson Viaduct and granite stringers that were used to hold the earliest iron rails that formed the railroad.

The park's legendary swinging bridge was once used by flour mill workers walking from their homes in the town of Orange Grove on the west side of the river in Howard County to the saw mills on the east side of the river in Baltimore County. Visitors can also see railroad tanker ruins and the lasting effects of erosion along the riverbank dating back to Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972.

Cross Island Trail

In September 2001, Queen Anne's County opened this nice little trail running across Kent Island. The Cross Island Trail starts in the Terrapin Nature Area (located directly across the bay from Sandy Point Beach) and runs all the way to Kent Narrows. This wide, paved trail offers some nice views of the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding forests of Kent Island. The county has also constructed a couple of nice bridges along the trail which offer great views of the local waterways.

This level 5.8-mile-long paved trail running along Romancoke Road from Matapeake State Park to Romancoke Pier, the Kent Island South Trail is not a rail trail and does not connect with the Cross Island trail. About half of the trail passes through woods and the other half is out in the open without shade. Kent Island is located just across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis.

Catoctin Trail

This can be done as a 2 day backpack with camping around mile 16.6 at the Manor Area Campground of Cunningham Falls State Park, reservations suggested. Cars cannot be left at the Gambrill SP Trail System Parking Area overnight. You can park at Gambrill State Park (call them) and take the Red access trail from there to the Trail System Parking Area. No camping is allowed along the Catoctin Trail. This hike will take you through 2 state parks, a Municipal Forest and a National Park. You will also cross many streams and hike by at least 4 beautiful ponds. Watch out for mountain bikers on much of the trail.

BWI Trail

At Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie the B&A Trail ends and the BWI Trail begins. The BWI Trail circles BWI Airport for an additional 12.5 miles of paved trail. A parking lot and a children’s playground are located at the Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area on Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie. Several scenic views of the Airport are found along this loop trail. A spur trail from BWI Trail at Andover Road leads to the Linthicum Light Rail Station. Both Trails are open dawn to dusk.

Baltimore & Annapolis Trail

The scenic, paved 13-mile community trail is brimming with history lessons and boasts a solar system of information. The trail follows the route of the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line, which started running freight and passenger service in 1880 and helped shape this suburban region near the nation's capital. Today, the 112-acre linear park winds through parks, neighborhoods and natural wooded areas. The trail also passes the Marley Station shopping mall, and the Ranger Station at mile marker 6.3, where public grills and a large field-perfect for disk throwing-make an ideal picnic stop.

Portions of the trail are sponsored by trail volunteers who fill the flowerbeds and kiosks along the trail, lending it a colorful, seasonal flair. Along the trail you will find a literal alphabet of historical markers, from A to Z. The A marker, at mile 0.1, is the Winchester Station House at Manresa near the Annapolis start of the trail. At mile 13.3 you will find the Z marker identifying the Sawmill Branch, the area's source of water and power in the early eighteenth century. To follow along with each marker, you will want to pick up a flyer at the Ranger Station. Near Harundale Mall you will come upon the Planet Walk, a linear museum with educational displays for the sun and each planet. Sponsored by NASA, the planets are true to scale and will each have educational storyboards that teach about our solar system. The trail, and its educational opportunities, end in the small town of Glen Burnie. But you may continue on the BWI trail loop for an additional 12.5 miles around the Baltimore Washington International Airport.

The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST)

DNR is partnering with the Potomac Heritage Trail Association and the National Park Service to evaluate an alignment for hiking between Point Lookout State Park and Marshall Hall, potentially connecting 11 DNR-managed lands, including Chapman’s Landing (Chapman State Park), Smallwood State Park, Chicamuxen WMA, Nanjemoy Natural Resource Management Area, Wilson Farm, Purse State Park, Chapel Point State Park (on Port Tobacco River), Cedar Point (1,737 acres), New Towne Neck (776 acres) and St. Inigoes (985 acres). A natural-surface, mostly off-road trail in the Potomac River corridor, if feasible, would be a significant part of a multi-use trail network between the Chesapeake Bay and two northern termini—Point State Park in Pittsburgh and the northern terminus of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail near Johnstown.

Garrett Trails

Governor O'Malley has put $300,000 in his proposed budget for trail design and environmental upgrades on state lands in Garrett County. DNR recently finalized a Trail License Agreement with Garrett Trails in Western Maryland for the proposed Meadow Mountain section of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail (ECDL), from I-68 to just south of Frank Brennerman Road.

The ECDL will eventually connect to the Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP) in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania and run through Savage River State Forest, Deep Creek Lake, Oakland, Herrington Manor and Swallow Falls State Park, Friendsville, and then back into the GAP at Confluence, PA.

The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) and the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) are also assisting Garrett Trails in building sustainable mountain bike trails on The Wisp and closing rogue (illegal) trails throughout the county.

Western Maryland Rail Trail Phase IV

The Maryland Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration have appropriated funds through the Transportation Enhancement Program to add another 4.7 miles to the 20-mile-long Western Rail Trail that is managed by DNR and currently runs from historic Ft. Frederick State Park, through the town of Hancock, and ending along the Potomac River at the forgotten canal town of Pearre. Over 135,000 visitors rode this very popular trail last year.

The new trail extension will bypass the 106-year-old Indigo Tunnel located ten miles southwest of Hancock, MD within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This abandoned railroad tunnel is one of the largest and still healthy hibernaculums, or roosts, in the state and is home to five species of bats including the Eastern Small-footed bat listed by Maryland as endangered and the Indiana bat on the federal endangered species list. In order to reduce any chance of introducing White Nose Syndrome which has decimated bat populations along the eastern seaboard, the trail will bypass the tunnel.

The National Park Service is the lead on this project and is currently conducting an environmental assessment. The public is welcome to comment. For more information: http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/578996/Trail-focus-of-meeting.html?nav=5006

The September 11th National Memorial Trail

The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a planned 1,140-mile on-road and off-road trail connecting the three 9/11 memorial sites in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa. The trail will be a tribute to all those that perished in America's single worse terrorist attack and serve as a symbol of the resiliency and character of the communities in which the victims and their families lived and worked. The patriotic volunteers at the Memorial Trail Alliance are hoping to create a multi-use, hiking, biking, and driving pilgrimage that will officially be designated by the federal government as a national trail. The Maryland segment, running along the C&O Canal Trail, is already in place all the way to Cumberland and beyond.

W3R Trail

The Washington-Rochambeau was designated a National Historic Trail in 2009, and follows the rambling route taken by General George Washington's Continental Army and French soldiers led by General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau, starting in Newport, Rhode Island and ending in Yorktown, Virginia where British General Cornwallis surrendered. The Maryland segment of what is primarily a driving trail will include army encampments at Head of the Elk River, Lower Ferry, Bushtown, White Marsh, Baltimore, Annapolis, Scot's House, Spurrier's Tavern, Snowden's Iron Works, Bladensburg, and Georgetown. There will be an official National Park Service website up and running in early 2012, followed by Facebook and Twitter presence, and a blog for highlighting events, stories, and interactive discussion.

Maryland Department of Transportation
Launches NEW Bike Ped Website

MDOT launched their new website in early May of 2012 . There’s now a bike/walk tab on the homepage that provides more direct links to some of the maps and bike/walk resources, including some DNR resources. 

Cycle Maryland Showcase Is Here!

The Cycle Maryland Showcase submission form and our calendar of bike month events are now up on the Cycle Maryland webpage. We’d greatly appreciate your help spreading the word about the Showcase and encouraging folks to participate. We’ve tweeted and posted to facebook, and will continue to promote there.

The Showcase gallery will be a collection of great photos that highlight all different kinds of cycling and cyclists across the state. We need help building a photo gallery that will help us tell the story of cycling in Maryland, and hopefully entice more people to get out and ride.

MDOT's New Bikeways Program Means More Money For Bicycle Projects in Maryland

The Bikeways Program was designed to support transportation trails (Shared-Use Paths), Cycle Tracks, Bicycle Lanes, Shared Lanes, and Designated Bike Routes.

Bicycle Maps

Looking for trail maps? Well here's the one stop shop for free state, county and regional trail maps. Bike Maps.

County and City Bike Trails

Looking for county and city trails around Maryland? Well here's the one stop shop for the complete county-by-county rundown on trails throughout the Free State. County and City Bike Trails.

New SHA Share The Road Sign

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) recently posted nine rectangular signs stating "Bicycles May Use Full Lane" along MD-953 in Glenn Dale, a narrow 2-lane road that crosses the Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis Trail.

SHA plans to post similar signs on 18 state highways in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The signs will "warn motorists that bicycles may be operating anywhere within a traffic lane," according to SHA Administrator Melinda Peters, marking a step forward for driver education and cyclist safety in Maryland.

Within the Capital Beltway, SHA operates most of the direct bike routes into the District of Columbia from Prince George's and Montgomery counties, as well as key cross-county routes such as University Boulevard and East-West Highway. Decades ago, SHA converted most shoulders on these roads into general travel lanes, forcing cyclists and drivers to share the road.

The meaning of "share the road" has evolved. For decades, the law required cyclists to keep as far to the right as practicable. This made sense when most cyclists were children proceeding slowly. But at higher speeds, riding too far to the right is hazardous. Drivers and pedestrians are not looking for fast vehicles close to the curb, and cyclists can't see them emerging from driveways, cross streets, or parked cars.

When lanes are too narrow for a car to pass a bike safely, too many drivers try to pass bikes within the lane anyway. So on those roads, it is safer for a cyclist to ride near the center of the lane, according to Maryland's Driver Manual.

Section 21-1205(a)(6) of the Maryland Transportation Code says that a cyclist may ride in the center of a narrow lane. But many drivers learned to drive (and bike) back when cyclists were supposed to simply keep to the right. And on any given road, drivers and cyclists may have different perceptions about whether the lane is too narrow to share. So "drivers and cyclists often must guess what the other is going to do," says Shane Farthing, Executive Director of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association.

The Federal Highway Administration's official handbook of highway signs, The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), included a new sign in its most recent update to ensure that drivers and cyclists have the same expectations. This sign, called the R4-11, says "Bicycles May Use Full Lane." Because it has the shape of a white rectangle, R4-11 is technically a "regulatory sign," giving it the force of law. Wherever it's posted, cyclists may ride in the center of the lane, even in states that have not legalized this practice, such as New Jersey. In Maryland, which allows cyclists to take the lane, the shape and color of the sign does not change the driving rules. But there are certain requirements for the placement of all regulatory signs, according to Tom Hicks, who recently retired as SHA's Director of Traffic and Safety. Those requirements can be administratively burdensome, so SHA will also use a yellow diamond "warning" sign with the same words. "The signs will increase safety by providing drivers with a warning about where bikes may be," says Dustin Kuzan, SHA's bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

Maryland Trail Projects *

The Trails Division of the Department of Natural Resources is working with our federal, state, county, municipal and private partners on a wide variety of projects. Not every project listed below is necessarily a DNR initiative; for some we are merely providing technical assistance.

* The projects listed below involve multiple government and private initiatives and are not necessarily DNR projects.

February – March 2013

DNR Activities

• DNR Trails Committee – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is kicking off a lengthy process to update the state’s Land Preservation & Recreation Plan (LPRP) which is required by the federal government, and a draft must be submitted to the National Park Service by December 2013. As part of this year-long planning process, Secretary John R. Griffin has decided to create a DNR Trails Committee to ensure that the Maryland LPRP includes a trails section.
  
  The 2014 Maryland LPRP establishes a 5-year vision for land preservation and recreation, and is based on input received from our land managers, local government, the public, and advisory groups like this committee. The Maryland LPRP will contain a separate trails section that addresses the needs of motorized and non-motorized user groups. The Maryland LPRP will provide guidance and investment strategies to support the many needs of the state's trail users as part of Maryland’s state-wide network.
  
  Here is a link to the last State Recreation Plan done in 2009, as a frame of reference in advance of this meeting. As you will see, the last plan did not focus on trails, and this time around, we want to make sure that trails are a priority. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/land/stewardship/pdfs/CompleteDNRORP.pdf
  
  The DNR Trails Committee will include 15 people representing a broad range of perspectives, priorities and expertise related to trails.
  
  Specific items that the DNR Trails Committee will be asked to review and provide input on include:
  
  
  • Reviewing the responses to the Statewide Recreation survey;
  • Conducting a trails needs assessment from each user group;
  • Providing input on Plan goals and objectives;
  • Discussing how to prioritize trail investments;
  • Submitting a list of trail recommendations for the LPRP.
  
  The DNR Trails Committee will meet 4 times during 2013. We intend to send periodic email updates and occasionally request feedback on issues or draft documents between meetings.
  
  If you would like to get on our e-mail list so that you can receive updates on this process, please e-mail Steve Carr scarr@dnr.state.md.us
  
  
  DNR TRAILS COMMITTEE
  
  
  • Dr. Virginia Busby – Water Trails
  • Laura Collard - Education - Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)
  • Dave Ferraro - Mountain Biking - Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE)
  • Ronnie Gathers - County Recreation & Parks - Maryland Recreation & Parks Association (MRPA)
  • Steve Green - Bike Business - High Mountain Sports
  • Dan Hudson - Sustainable Trails - International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA)
  • Richard Hughes - Heritage Areas - Maryland Heritage Area Authority
  • Ken Kyler - ORV’s - Mid-Atlantic Four Wheel Drive Association
  • Ellen Moyer- Local Government - Former Mayor of Annapolis
  • Ronald MacNab - Equestrian - Trail Riders of Today (TROT)
  • Rico Newman - Native American Trails - Maryland Indian Tourism Association
  • Mike O'Connor - Hiking - Mountain Club of Maryland
  • Carol Sildorf - Road Biking & Advocacy - Bike Maryland
  • John Wetmore - ADA - Perils for Pedestrians
  • Elizabeth Wyble - Friends of Groups - Friends of Anne Arundel Trails
    
    

• Marylanders Asked To Provide Recreation Information– The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is asking citizens throughout the state for their input on state outdoor recreation facilities and services. This recreation evaluation is the first step in a comprehensive statewide effort to enhance existing recreation areas in Maryland, these include: State parks, forests, wildlife areas and trails. DNR will ask participants to assess the extent to which outdoor recreation facilities, programs, and services meet the needs of the community and identify future demand and need. There will be four regional stakeholder sessions DNR will hold across the state in February and March 2013. The public input will help guide the update of the Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan, which will serve as the roadmap for future State outdoor recreation facilities and services. The Department has hired a nationally-known parks and recreation management consulting firm, GreenPlay, LLC, to oversee the Recreation Component of this planning process. There will be an on-line survey available for those unable to attend the regional workshops. Contact Person – Steve Carr scarr@dnr.state.md.us
  
  
• New Geologic Map Released for Westernmost Counties – Map will guide decisions on best use of landscape - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has created a new geological map for Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties, that will not only provide information on the region’s geology, but guide decisions about the wise use of its landscape and natural resources.
  
  DNR Geological Survey members David K. Brezinski and Robert Conkwright developed the Geological Map of Garrett, Allegany and western Washington Counties in Maryland - the first comprehensive geologic map for this region published in more than 50 years. The map covers the westernmost counties of the State, providing a current look at how bedrock units and major surface deposits are distributed.
  
  As residential, commercial and recreational development increases in the western portion of the State, and with the potential for the Marcellus Shale to serve as a natural gas resource, the updated map will serve as a land management tool, helping decision-makers balance the impact of human activity with the preservation of natural resources.
  
  The map includes short descriptions of geologic units and a cross section showing their distribution under the earth’s surface. Among other uses, the map will provide users with a better understanding of the distribution, depths and thickness of Marcellus Shale. This map will be especially useful in showing the interplay between geologic formations and groundwater availability and quality.
  
  The map updates geologic information to be consistent with neighboring states, redefines boundaries between formations from the previous maps, and updates the subsurface cross section based on new review of geologic cores and geophysical logs. The geologic information is available to users in a modern Geographic Information System format, and as a printable map at www.mgs.md.gov/geo/wmdgeomap.html.
  
  
• DNR Trail Atlas – DNR is updating the Trail Atlas on our website. The Trails Atlas shows all of the trails - federal, state, county and municipal - in the state and combine DNR's interactive trail atlas with http://www.mdmerlin.net/. This will be an on-going effort that will eventually include non-state trails. The trail atlas will provide a link to the MDOT/SHA map, showing on-road connections and levels of service for each state road. It will also provide a link to the Tourism's website at http://visitmaryland.org/Pages/MarylandHome.aspx showing tourist-related information, and the visitmaryland map at http://visitmaryland.org/map/Pages/Maryland.aspx SHA, MDOT and DNR have agreed to continue making their map data available to one another as needed. SHA is also beginning to develop a standard template for attribute fields and symbology. State agencies will be working together on these mapping efforts so that our maps are consistent.
  
  
• Get Social with DNR! – The advent of social media has presented DNR with the opportunity to reach stakeholders in an unmediated setting. We have developed a hub & spoke business model at DNR with an overall umbrella account based in communications devoted to sharing your information, calls to action or good works.
  
  https://twitter.com/AccessDNR
  http://www.facebook.com/AccessDNR
  
  
• DNR Launches New Interactive Newsroom – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Office of Communications today unveiled the brand new AccessDNR Newsroom - a more interactive, user-friendly way for DNR to share its latest news and happenings with the public and members of the media. “The internet and social media have opened the stream of information directly to our customers and stakeholders,” said Josh Davidsburg, DNR senior communication manager. “Through this new format, we’re going to make it easier - and more importantly, faster - for the public to get critical information directly from our scientific experts, resource managers and policy makers.” The new format will allow anyone to sign up for email alerts and RSS feeds, and allows users to easily find their way through news, videos and social media. Users will be able to share news posts with their Facebook friends and Twitter followers with the simple click of a button. “Social media is quickly becoming an alternative outlet for the public to consume news,” said Lori Livingston, DNR social media manager. “The newly designed newsroom will give our followers the opportunity to learn, share and discuss what’s going on in the department with others.” As news has broken away from the cycle system and developed into a constant flow, 24 hours a day, DNR is also moving towards a daily posting cycle. DNR will post news as it breaks, allowing readers the fastest access to what is happening in the department. These updates can be easily accessed from a computer, tablet or Smartphone.To check out the newsroom or to sign up to receive RSS feeds, citizens may visit http://news.maryland.gov/dnr
  
  
• DNR Map Tech – DNR will soon be hiring a seasonal map tech with GIS experience to begin a state-wide GPS mapping of all DNR trails. This position was funded by the Recreational Trails Program.
  
  
• State Trail App – DNR is working with a private firm OhRanger to provide a free app for smart phones so the public can access park and trail information. The trail app is constantly being updated, and is available on the OhRanger website: http://www.ohranger.com/
  
  
• Western Maryland Trails – DNR has allocated $300,000 for the design of a stacked-loop mountain bike trail system at Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls state parks, connector trails from Deep Creek State Park, and ORV trails in Western Maryland. DNR is working with Garrett Trails and our land unit managers to design and build a premiere trail system that will make Western Maryland a mountain bike destination and economic generator.
  
  
• Off Road Vehicles (ORV’s) – DNR and the ORV Advisory Committee continue to explore potential sites on public & private lands that could be developed for ORV’s. DNR and the Maryland Department of Environment are reaching out to private mine owners regarding the use of their properties as ORV facilities during the reclamation process. DNR has visited potential mine sites around Maryland and is exploring potential partnerships with private land owners and user groups, including the Maryland Competition Riders, Inc., a private motocross group, to re-open the Antietam Motor Sports complex, and the owner of the Wicomico Motorsports Park, utilizing Recreational Trails Program funds.
  
  
• ORV Permits Available at New Locations - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that off-road vehicle (ORV) permits can now be obtained at three new locations. ORV permits will be available for purchase at Deep Creek Lake and New Germany State parks effective January 19, and at Savage River State Forest effective January 22.
  
  
• Stony Run Path – DNR is working with local community leaders and Baltimore City to construct the Stony Run Path in Baltimore City, connecting Gilman School with Wyman Park and the Jones Falls Trail.
  
  
• Patapsco Trails – DNR is working with park managers, and private groups like Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE), to address erosion problems on our park trails and create a Patapsco Trail group that can help regularly maintain park trails.
  
  
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Task Agreement – Under a recently approved Task Agreement, DNR will be working with the National Park Service to develop a color map and feasibility analysis for developing a walking/mountain bike trail along the Potomac River, from the Wilson Bridge to Point Lookout State Park through multiple DNR land units.
  
  
• PG County Trails – DNR Trails Team is working with PG County Recreation & Parks staff to develop a trail through DNR land to connect the Bowie Heritage Trail and the WB&A Trail, beginning at Bowie State University.
  
  
• Conowingo Dam – DNR staff is working with local cycling advocates regarding a trail crossing below the dam connecting to DNR lands @ Conowingo Village which is owned by DNR. As part of the EXELON’s federal relicensing, DNR is in the process of developing a comprehensive recreational master plan. DNR is also working closely with the Vulcan Mining Company to develop a trail through the outside perimeter of the property, connecting Havre de Grace and Susquehanna State Park. This trail was recently GPS'd following the existing, blue-blazed Mason-Dixon Trail and will be part of the Lower Susquehanna Greenway.
  
  
• Children in Nature – The Maryland Children in Nature Committee has finalized its 2012 Action Plan. CIN is looking for organizations willing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that commits them to partnering in the program. Please let us know if your group would like to partner with DNR on this initiative.
  
  
• Equestrian – DNR is working with TROT and Maryland Horse Industry Council to determine where equestrian use is permitted on each state land unit, and then update the DNR website to reflect equestrian opportunities. Developing regional equestrian camping facilities will also be a high priority.
  
  
• Deep Creek Trail Master Plan – DNR staff @ Deep Creek Lake State Park have initiated a Deep Creek Trails Master Plan.
  
  
• Montgomery County – DNR met with reps from the Montgomery County Recreation & Parks Department about extending the Patuxent River Greenway between Damascus and Georgia Avenue, making trail connections to state lands, the county’s trail sign plan, and enhancing the Rachel Carson trails.
  
  
• Bicycle Friendly Building – DNR recently installed a new bicycle rack in the basement of the Tawes Office Building near the shower facilities as part of the Green Team's Office of Sustainability efforts to achieve Bicycle Friendly Building status. The rack was generously donated by long-time bicycle advocate Bill Kelly of Ellicott City.
  
  

State-Wide Activities

• State Bike/Ped Master Plan Update – The 16th Annual Bike Maryland Bicycle Symposium is Wednesday, February 27, 2013 from 8:30am to 4pm in the President’s Conference Center in the State Miller Senate Building located at 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.
  
  
• State Bike/Ped Master Plan Update – The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is launching an update of the 20-year Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master plan establishes a 20-year vision to support cycling and walking as modes of transportation in Maryland. The Plan will provide guidance and investment strategies to support cycling and walking. There will be several opportunities to get involved in the plan development, and we welcome your input!
  
  Please visit the project webpage to learn more about the planning effort and to complete the bicycle and pedestrian needs survey: www.mdot.maryland.gov/bikewalkplan. The survey is designed to help MDOT better understand how people currently use bicycle and pedestrian facilities and what types of improvements are most important.
  
  Please help us spread the word about this important opportunity to set a course for improving biking and walking in Maryland. Project Contact – Kate Sylvester ksylvester@mdot.state.md.us
  
  
• New State Bicycle Guidelines – The State Highway Administration has recently completed its draft Bicycle Design Guidelines. DNR submitted comments on the guidelines as it relates to DNR lands. Here is the link to the zip file: http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20
  Capital%20Programming/Bicycle/Documents/Bicycle_Guidelines.zip
  
  
• Bikeways Grants – The $3.5 million program for 2013 received 31 applications from all parts of the state. Several projects have been amended for approval since the review committee made their award recommendations - Indian Head, Williamsport, and Annapolis. Baltimore City will get $320,000 for design and construction of a cycle track running north/south through the city and east/west bike lanes. Garrett Trails will scratch the bridge design project and go with a trail connection through Friendsville from the Kendall Trail to the Community Park. There will be $500,000 in un-appropriated Bikeways funds which will be rolled over for special projects this year, or into next year's grants. Federal (TEP & RTP) funds were leveraged for some of the projects. Several projects have been amended for approval since the review committee made their award recommendations - Indian Head, Williamsport, and Annapolis. Baltimore City will get $320,000 for design and construction of a cycle track running north/south through the city and east/west bike lanes. Garrett Trails will scratch the bridge design project and go with a trail connection through Friendsville from the Kendall Trail to the Community Park. There will be $500,000 in un-appropriated Bikeways funds which will be rolled over for special projects this year, or into next year's grants. The Bikeways Program supports assessment, design and construction of bicycle transportation projects, including on-road bike routes and off-road trails. The Bikeways program focuses on making bicycling a transportation option, by closing missing links to connect trails and bike routes with town centers, main streets, transit stops, schools, and other destinations. For more information, go to: http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20
  Capital%20Programming/Bike/Bikeways.html
  
  
• Recreational Trails Program – Congress reauthorized the Federal Highway Transportation bill (MAP21) for the next two years. The RTP program gives each state the option of opting out of the program. This years round of applications includes 37 DNR projects totaling $759,000 and 35 non-DNR projects totaling $1 million annually. There are motorized and non-motorized projects as required by federal law. Secretary Griffin sent a letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation and the State Highway Administration in support of the program. The Recreational Trail Program funds the development of motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. RTP focuses on improving multimodal transportation, economic prosperity, improved health and environmental stewardship by enhancing access to recreational, natural, cultural and historic resources. RTP funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, water trails, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. For more information, go to http://www.roads.maryland.gov/Index.aspx?PageId=98
  
  
• Transportation Alternatives Program - (formerly Transportation Enhancements Program) is a reimbursable, federal-aid funding program for transportation-related, community projects designed to improve the quality of life for citizens. TA funds projects that enhance the cultural, aesthetic, historic and environmental aspects of the intermodal transportation system. The program can assist in funding projects that create bicycle and pedestrian facilities, conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for trails, construction of turnouts and viewing areas, inventory and control of outdoor advertising, historic preservation of transportation facilities, vegetation management in transportation rights-of-way, archeological activities relating to impacts from transportation projects and environmental mitigation. For more information, go to http://www.roads.maryland.gov/index.aspx?pageid=1
  
  
• MDOT Website – MDOT has a new website for all bicycle and pedestrian programs, beyond just Cycle MD. Check it out at: http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/IncludedContent/New%20MDOT%20Site
  /tabPages/Bike_Walk.html
  
  
• Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) – The new law took effect on October 1, 2012. The most important change with MAP-21 is that it gives far more power to the Maryland Department of Transportation and regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations, like the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, to determine how money goes to bicycling and walking. For instance, states are still required to have a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator but there is no specific funding source to pay for them. And the requirement to have Safe Routes to School Coordinator is gone, but it's still an eligible position to fund. Those choices are up to the state DOT. States and MPOs for urbanized areas with more than 200,000 people will conduct a competitive application process for use of the sub-allocated funds; eligible applicants include local governments, transit agencies, and school districts. Options are included to allow states considerable flexibility in the use of these funds.
  
  
• Critical Trail Links – DNR/MDOT/SHA will continue to explore making critical On-Road & Off Road Connections between BWI Trail & Patapsco State Park, and from the Torrey C. Brown Trail to the Baltimore City trail system.
  
  
• The 3-Foot Passing Law – Motorists are now required to give cyclists 3 feet of clearance when passing. The 3-foot law has an exemption for roads that are too narrow to allow 3 feet of clearance safely. In this case, drivers are allowed to pass cyclists with less than 3 feet.
  
  
• TrailStat – Currently, trail connection information is hard to track through the SHA data base. All SHA projects, including trails, are tracked and then included in the Annual Attainment Report, but the projects do not specifically track projects that made trail connections, primarily because connections has yet to be defined. MDOT anticipates that the Bike/Ped Master Plan update should make a recommendation that connections be defined and tracked annually.
  
  
• Cycle Maryland Activities - Social Media is being utilized by our state agencies to promote on-going events. MDOT welcomes your contributions through their website.
• Governor Harry Nice Bridge - The 70 year old Governor Harry Nice Bridge spans the Potomac to connect Charles County MD with King George County VA via US 301. The 5 year planning phase of the Harry Nice Bridge rebuilding was just completed when the Federal Highway Administration approved the Alternate 7 proposal which includes a two way bicycle/pedestrian path.
  
  
• Susquehanna News Report - The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership has recently released its 2012 Progress Report. The report summarizes the work of SGP and its partners in creating places where people are connected to the natural and cultural resources of the Susquehanna and can live active, healthy lives. Here is the link to the report: http://susquehannagreenway.org/sites/default/files/SGP_Progress_
  Report%202012_forWeb.pdf?utm_source=NPS+Chesapeake+Bay+news+for+
  January+2013&utm_campaign=September+2012+NPS+CHBA&utm_
  medium=email
  
  
• Vulcan Quarry Trail – DNR and the Vulcan Materials Company have proposed a natural surface trail around the Vulcan mine near Havre de Grace that will be part of the Mason Dixon Trail and the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail (LSHGT). DNR will soon be meeting with reps from Vulcan, the LSHGT, and the
  Mason Dixon Trail to discuss partnerships in building and maintaining the trail.
  
  
• Star-Spangled Banner Trail – The comprehensive management plan and environmental assessment for the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is now complete. The plan will guide development and management of the trail. http://www.nps.gov/stsp/index.htm
  
  
• 9/11 National Memorial Trail – The 1,140-mile 9/11 National Memorial Trail will connect New York City’s National September 11 Memorial, the Pentagon Memorial in Virginia near Washington, DC, and the Flight 93 National Memorial to commemorate the worst terrorist attack in America, and to honor those heroes who gave their all that fateful day. The Pentagon Memorial-to-Flight 93 link will use the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage to Rockwood, but an on-road link is needed at least temporarily from Rockwood to Flight 93.
  
  
• WB&A Trail – The recently approved Bikways Maryland Grant to Anne Arundel County will authorize SHA to design the bridge over the Patuxent River. PG County is working with DNR to extend the trail on the P.G. County side of the river to Bowie State and the MARC station. SHA is hoping to perform an alternatives analysis to determine the appropriate location for the bridge and recommend that the county conduct public outreach for the project.
  
  
• Anacostia Trail – The D.C. Department of Transportation just received a $10 million TIGER Grant, combined with $3.5 million from the District and $1.5 million from Maryland, to complete four missing miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths on the Kenilworth Gardens Trail, connecting hundreds of miles of existing trail networks in Maryland and DC. This path will create new options for bicycle commuters and bring economic and health benefits to communities along the trail. The overall project includes the construction of five bridges, raised pathways, and multi-use paths. It will connect 16 waterfront neighborhoods to the Anacostia River, as well as the Southwest Waterfront, the Nationals baseball stadium, the Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, the National Arboretum, and other popular destinations. Mayor Vincent Gray invites the public to attend the design unveiling for the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail – Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Segment on Monday October 15, from 11AM – Noon @ River Trace Park.
  
  
• The Lower Potomac River Trail – “One Hundred Thousand Paddle Strokes to Improving Recreational Access on the Tidal Potomac” is a new initiative from the Potomac Riverkeeper. The goal of the program will be to improve access for kayakers and other recreational paddlers on the Lower Potomac from Washington D.C. to the Chesapeake Bay by proposing the creation of a Lower Potomac River Trail. The proposal would utilize existing Federal, state and local parks, along with private recreational facilities, to create a series of riverside landings, campsites and public access points to create a river trail for the approximately one hundred miles of the tidal Potomac.
  
  
• Citizen Soldiers Trail (CST) – Mr. Robert Reyes, the CST trail champion, has been meeting with various federal, state and county officials about the trail that runs from North Point State Park through Baltimore County land, making it a local government project supported by DNR.
  
  
• Anacostia Trail – USDOT recently announced the latest TIGER grants recipients and the Anacostia Trail was awarded a $10 Million grant. Most of the project is in DC, but it will be a welcome trail connection for the region.
  
  
• Garrett Trails – Trail Maintenance – Clean-up after Hurricane Sandy is in progress. Theresa MacLennan is to contact Mark Spurrier, John Denning and Wade Dorsey to get a weekly update on trails that are cleared so Garrett Trails can post that information on the FB page and website. Wade Dorsey stated that anyone clearing trails within the SRSF needs to complete a volunteer form, which can be obtained by calling 301.895.5759. Rodney Glotfelty, Trail Maintenance Chair, is planning a trail maintenance meeting for early in 2013 once a chainsaw training date/location has been set to determine a trail clearing priority list for volunteers and set a volunteer trail cleaning date.
  
  
• Howard County Trails – The Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks offer an extensive system (183 miles) of natural surface trails and paved pathways with the park and open space lands located in the County. Opportunities exist for hiking, biking, horseback riding, trail running and bird watching. Here is the link: http://www.howardcountymd.gov/HowardCountyParks.htm
  
  
• County Annual Program LPRRP's – The 5-year recreational master plans for all Maryland counties and Baltimore City were due by July 1st. DNR has received most of the plans and is reviewing and providing comments. The public is welcome to contact the counties to review the plans and provide comments.
  
  
• Baltimore Metropolitan Council's Bicycle Advisory Group – BPAG is working on its Action Plan. http://www.baltometro.org/commuter-options/bikeped-beacon-electronic-newsletter
  
  
• Howard County Bicycle Master Plan – Howard County is developing its first Bicycle Transportation Master Plan. The Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) is the lead agency administering the planning process. To ensure a comprehensive look at bicycling, DPZ has secured the involvement of a number of other county agencies including the Office of the County Executive, the County Council and Department of Public Works. Visit the Technical Advisory Group page for a list of agencies and representatives involved.
  
  The master plan will address bicycling for both transportation and recreation; and will look at on-road and off-road bicycling facilities. A variety of methods will be used to gather public input, including a series of public workshops, in the Fall of 2012, an online survey, and availability of an interactive online map. The master planning process is expected to last a year from June 2012 – June 2013. http://bikehoward.com/
  
  
• Cecil County Bicycle Master Plan – During the past few months WILMAPCO met with Towns and the County to present the final document and recommendations. The 2012 Cecil County Bicycle Plan was adopted by the Cecil County Board of Commissioners, Towns, and the WILMAPCO Council. Binding the final document is delayed, awaiting an extra item in the appendices. You can download it from here: www.wilmapco.org/bikececil. Please note, this current online version has a placeholder in the appendices, and will be updated as soon as possible.
  
  Contact Person
  Tamika K. Graham
  Senior Planner
  Wilmington Area Planning Council
  Phone: 302-737-6205, Ext. 1-16
  Fax: 302-737-9584
  www.wilmapco.org
  
  
• Carroll County Trails Plan– Carroll County is undertaking the Freedom Trail Master Plan. The Freedom Trail will eventually connect to Patapsco Valley State Park.
  
  
• Harford County Trails Master Plan – Harford County is in the process of completing a County Bicycle Plan.
  
  
• Baltimore City Bicycle Plan – Baltimore City is updating their Bicycle Plan.
  
  
• Anne Arundel County Bike Studies – Anne Arundel County is undertaking bike studies along MD 170 (Odenton) and MD 648 (Severna Park - Pasadena).
  
  
• Allegany County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan – The focus of Allegany County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is connecting communities. The connections between the trails and towns will offer more than recreational activities, but also provide for transportation and bring economic benefits. Among the projects described in the plan is connecting the town of Mount Savage to Frostburg and the Great Allegheny Passage, while creating a small loop trail that supports the Great Allegheny Passage. The new connection would primarily make use of an abandoned rail bed to connect the two towns. Another project would rehabilitate the tunnel under Frostburg’s Main Street to restore a connection between the GAP and Frostburg, according to the plan. The proposed trail heads south from the tunnel to become the Georges Creek Rail Trail ending in Westernport. The trail will provide a “backbone” to link all the parks in Frostburg, according to the plan. Another project would connect Dan’s Mountain State Park to the Dan’s Rock Overlook Park by a hiking and biking trail. http://www.gov.allconet.org/ACT/121128_MasterPlan_Booket.pdf
  
  Email: CumberlandMPO@allconet.org
  Mail: Attn: Siera Wigfield
  1000 Lafayette Ave
  Cumberland, MD 21502
  Fax: 301-722-0326
  
  
• Annapolis Bicycle Master Plan – Over the past few months many of you have been involved in the development and preparation of the City of Annapolis Bicycle Master Plan, which will guide the City over the next 5-10 years in developing a comprehensive program for cycling. This program includes facilities, policies as well as education tools for both cyclists and drivers.
  You can view the plan at: http://www.annapolis.gov/Government/Departments/
  Transportation/BikeAnnapolis/plan.aspx
  
  
• Montgomery County Trails Master Plan – M-NCPPC, Montgomery County Department of Parks is updating the Countywide Park Trails Plan. This plan serves as the guide for park trails of countywide significance, both hard and natural surface. Since last fall, they have been meeting monthly with a “Trails Working Group” (TWG), which consists of representatives from the major trail user groups, to discuss various plan objectives and policy issues. The TWG is helping to advise and guide our planning process for the amendment.
  
  
• City of Rockville Bike Master Plan – Rockville has recently completed a draft a draft map of the planned recommendations. For more information please contact Rebecca Torma RTorma@rockvillemd.gov. Or, go to: www.drivelessrockville.com
  
  
• Potomac Appalachian Trail Club – All meetings are at 7 pm at the Greenbrier State Park Visitors Center and are open to the public. Meeting dates can be obtained through ATC's website at http://www.patc.net/PublicView/
  
  
• C&O Canal Trust– The C&O Canal Trust hosts a wide range of trail activities. For more information http://www.canaltrust.org/trust/
  
  
• Off-Road versus On-Road - MDOT, SHA and DNR have begun what will be an on-going informal cost-benefit review rail trails versus on-road trails. Assuming there is local support, signage and maps could quickly and inexpensively provide on-road connections as an interim measure while nearby rail trail projects which often take many years and are quite costly are being pursued.

For more information, please contact:

Steve Carr
Land Trails Planner
Land Acquisition & Planning
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Avenue, E-4
Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: 410-260-8478
FAX: 410-260-8404
scarr@dnr.state.md.us

Trails Inventory

We are also working to develop a comprehensive inventory and data base for all existing and planned public trails and trail systems in Maryland.

If you are aware of a trail or trail system that is not currently listed on this website, please contact the state Land Trails Planner Steve Carr at scarr@dnr.state.md.us so we can add your trail information to this growing list.

Let's Get Connected!

Momentum is Building to make Trails in Maryland "Second-to-None."