Catonsville Rails To Trails April 2012 Newsletter


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April, 2012
Catonsville Rails To Trails Newsletter
Planning Board Hearing for West County Bike Plan set for this
Thursday, April 5.  CRTT Needs Your Support in Towson
Urgent Plea to Show Your Support of Western County Bike Plan
Quick Links

Cardin-Cochran Amendment
 ment 
  
 image   Many thanks to
for providing CRTT with a truckload of recycled concrete for a project on the trail. 
 
Many thanks to the 
Catonsville Women's Circle of Giving
 for providing funds to clear the entrance areas along Maiden Choice Ln.
 
ABC Rental
Rick and Andrew Smith feed chipper
We are proud of our partnership with
on Geipe Rd. 
The great folks at ABC have given thousand of dollars for in-kind rentals.  Please support them the next time you need to rent equipment.
 
 image
 
 
is Friday, May 18, 2012. CRTT is trying to organize a Catonsville group.  Contact CRTT if you can help us out.  Watch for details!
 
Bike riders on trail 
 
Dear (Contact First Name),
     The West County Bike Plan (WCBP) has been presented to the Baltimore County Planning Board for approval as an amendment to the County's master plan. The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 104, Jefferson Building, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson 21204. If approved by the Planning Board, the plan will be submitted to the Baltimore County Council for adoption.
     CRTT needs your support!  We need to send a clear message to County officials that safe bike and pedestrian routes are important to Catonsville residents and need to be part of all future plans.
     What can you do to help?  Plan to attend Thursday's Planning Board Hearing.  We know this is not the most convenient time of day to get to Towson but having a large group of supporters will send an important message to decision-makers.
     If you can't attend, send an e-mail to Barbara Weaver before Thursday.  Let her know that you support the Western County Bike Plan and would like to see bikes lanes and more walkable neighborhoods in Baltimore County.  
     CRTT needs your financial support.  Please consider becoming a member.  Not sure if you paid your membership?  Check out our list of donors for 2012.   If you are not a member, consider joining and receive a coffee mug and $10 Atwater's Gift Card. 
 
Mug incentive
   There are only 9 incentive mugs/cards remaining, so join today and support CRTT. 
  
 
Tom Ajluni
President of CRTT    
UMBC Students Spend Spring Break on the Short Line Trail
 
UMBC ASB Clean Up Day
UMBC's Alternative Spring Break volunteers pose for a picture before unloading a truckload of debris.  Doug Stull (right hand side, top) coordinated the event with CRTT.  
 
      On the first day of Spring, a group of energetic UMBC students descended on the Short Line Trail as part of an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program.  Instead of leaving town for their week off, these students volunteered in a variety of environmental and charity activities in the local community.  
     Most of the student volunteers assisted with removing 4.1 tons of debris from the trail and placing it in a rented dumpster.  Other students raked out mulch piles, fed a wood chipper or hauled pieces of concrete for recycling. 
 
 
Jack MacDonnell and Tom Bagg
Decked out in rain gear, Jack MacDonnell and Tom Bagg discuss the impending bike ride on March 24, 2012 
Rain Dampens Spring Bike Ride Attendance
But Not Spirit 
 
 
The morning of March 24 started with a clap of thunder and a light rain causing many potential bike riders to assume that the CRTT Spring Bike Ride to Dickeyville had been canceled.  By 10 a.m. the rain had stopped and ten hearty bike riders took off from Atwater's Bakery.
 
While attendance was down, membership was up with 7 new members joining CRTT.  Thanks to George Brookhart of Maryland Residential Realty who provided a membership incentives - a travel coffee mugs and a $10 Atwater Gift Cards to all who joined at the race.  There are still 9 membership incentives left so join on-line today.
 
Our bike ride expert, Charlie Murphy, is considering dates for the next ride and is considering a "do-over" of the ride to Dickeyville.  CRTT will keep you posted. 
 
Thanks so much for your past support and for helping us to build the Catonsville trail system.  We are proud to lead this volunteer effort to promote bike and pedestrian-friendly initiatives.  With your financial support we can make real progress in 2012!  
Sincerely,
 

Tom Ajluni, President Catonsville Rails To Trails
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Bikeways Grant FAQ's


[B' Spokes: Before I share the following email I have a pop quiz for you all: How does one become a Priority Funding Area? No idea? Congrats, that's the correct answer!

While I was really impressed with the out reach for MDOT Trails Plan, MDOT's Priority Funding Areas is a whole other matter. As far as I can tell it's totally top secret with no public comments allowed, or it's just a simple matter that no one really bothers to set these things up, as only in rare occasions have I seen the term actually used for a project and even then it seems to be more of a perk to give a developer then anything else, and that's not right.

High pedestrian fatality rates, really low bike modal share numbers, these do not seem to be enough to make a Priority Funding Area. [heavy sigh]

But there is hope with the County Priority Letter; start writing your County's Exec to prioritize your bike projects, (though still annoying this is outside the normal planning processes.)

And please remember, a simple Bike Master Plan is not enough to get funding.]

Hi all,
As a reminder, the new Bikeways program is accepting applications for funding through May 4. Information and application materials are at www.cycle.maryland.gov
Many of you may be getting questions from potential applicants, or may be suggesting that local governments consider applying. I’ve compiled a few key pieces of info to help with initial screening and questions from potential applicants. You can continue to direct questions to me, but I thought this would be helpful.   
What types of projects can be funded?
The program is pretty broad, and can help fund almost any bike project for general public use. On-road facilities and off-road trails; Local and state roads (though most state road projects will be handled through bike retrofit, system preservation, etc.)
Is (blank) project eligible for Bikeways funding?
To be eligible for Bikeways funding, a project must be:
-          Located substantially (80%) within the Priority Funding Area (PFA), and/or
-          Located within ½ mile of a rail transit station, and/or
-          Addressing a gap identified in the MDOT Trails Plan A Greener Way to Go, and/or
-          Identified as a transportation priority in a County’s most recent annual priority letter submitted to MDOT
We have created an online map showing these areas that can be accessed from the webpage with the application materials. If a project is not covered by any of these criteria, then it will not be considered for Bikeways funding.
Are local road projects eligible?
Yes, as long as the project falls within an eligible area listed above.
What types of projects are likely to receive funding?
This is a new program, so we don’t know how competitive it is likely to be this year. Projects that have the greatest potential to improve bicycling as a transportation option will be rated the highest. So, for example, projects that provide access to transit and connections to employers, schools and other destinations will be favored. In addition, projects that are included in the MDOT Trails Plan will be rated highly.
Who can apply?
Local governments, state agencies, MPOs, RPOs, transit entities, and federal public lands agencies. Private and non-profit organizations can not apply directly, but they can partner with an eligible applicant.
What is the required match?
The required matching fund level varies from 0 to 80% depending on the location and type of a particular project.
The first step is to determine if a project falls within a bikeways priority area. We have created an online map showing the priority areas. They include:
-          Rail transit station areas (within ½ mile)
-          Planned missing links in MDOT Trails Plan 
-          Sustainable Community Areas (designated by DHCD)
-          Maryland Main Streets
-          Central business districts (not an official designation, but evidenced by land uses) and major institutions
-          (e.g. universities, major hospitals)
-          Census tract(s) at or below 60% of Area Median Income 
The next step is to look at the type of project. Match rates are as follows:
 
In Bikeways Priority Area
Not in Bikeways Priority Area
Minor Retrofit (up to $100,000 for signing, pavement markings, etc)
0%
50%
Feasibility Assessment/Planning
20%
50%
Design
20%
50%
Construction
70%
80%
There are not hard and fast rules about soft match, cash match, what can count toward match, etc. Projects with stronger cash match will be more competitive for funding.  
Is this federal money?
No, it’s 100% state money. So it can be used toward an Enhancements grant match.
Please continue encouraging local governments to apply – getting word out about the new program is critical to its success!! Please also filter back any feedback or concerns you are hearing to me.

Thank you,
Kate  
Kate R. Sylvester
Office of Planning and Capital Programming
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
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Plenty of hiking and biking to do on Southern Maryland's trails


by KATIE FITZPATRICK, Staff Writer, somdnews.com

Spring has sprung, and people are looking forward to warmer weather, sunshine and more outdoor activities.

One outdoor activity that seems to be a growing trend in Southern Maryland is hiking and biking on the many area trails, some of which have been expanded and some of which have been recently established.

Expansion, growth

With about 51 miles of various types of trails, Tom Roland of Charles County Parks said Charles has been “pretty progressive over the last couple of years” by continuing to add more trails.

“We hear from the public that trails are something that are desired by the community, and it makes Charles County a better place to live,” Roland said. “That's part of our mission, to increase the quality of life for our residents.”

Residents and visitors can enjoy about 22 miles of trails in Maxwell Hall Park and Oak Ridge Park in Hughesville; about four miles of trails in Friendship Farm Park and Mallows Bay Park in Nanjemoy; and about two miles of trails in Gilbert Run Park in Bryantown.

Charles County's major attraction is the 2½-year-old Indian Head Rail Trail, which offers 13 miles of paved trails, Roland said. The trail connects Indian Head with White Plains, and it primarily passes through undeveloped land.
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Hagerstown officials on board in support of Civil War Railroad Trail


By C.J. LOVELACE, Herald-mail

Hagerstown officials earlier this month joined the Washington County Board of Commissioners in support of a new biking and hiking trail that would connect Hagerstown’s City Park to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal near the Potomac River.

The pledge came after the five-member Hagerstown City Council heard a proposal March 6 to create a Civil War Railroad Trail, running 23.4 miles south to Weverton, Md.

Dick Cushwa of the city’s Bicycle Advisory Committee outlined the project, which would follow the former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line and ultimately connect to the 184.5-mile C&O Canal.

The proposed trail project would promote tourism, economic development and healthy lifestyle opportunities for city and county residents, Cushwa said.
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Hagerstown road projects list


By C.J. LOVELACE , Herald Mail

...
Fourth on the priorities list is a proposed Civil War Railroad Trail, which is a 24-mile scenic pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting Hagerstown to Weverton that would promote tourism, recreation and healthy living.

The final priority is the city’s retrofit sidewalk program and the Safe Routes to School Program, which has been used in the past.

Recent legislation requires local jurisdictions to submit their priorities by April, although Department of Transportation officials won’t tour the state until late 2012.
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Loch Raven mountain bikers welcome council resolution, but compromise on trails remains elusive


By Jon Meoli, Baltimore Sun

...
"I'd say it's farther along than it ever was," said Dave Ferraro, president of Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE), a mountain biking advocacy group.

But he added, "I wouldn't say it's close, because my constituency — trail users — have been using trails out there for 30 years. "There's this legacy network that's basically being shut down.

"What we're trying to find is where the happy medium is. Is it close? I'd say it's starting to get there, but we're not there yet."
...

<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/news/ph-tt-reservoir-update-0208-20120131,0,3189111.story">http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/baltimorecounty/news/ph-tt-reservoir-update-0208-20120131,0,3189111.story</a>;
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Maryland news - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Northeast Region


[B' Spokes: While I like trails I do not like Maryland's current stress of trails at the expense of on-road accommodations.]
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By National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Current projects
1. Bacon ridge natural area master plan
anne arundel county dept of recreation and parks and scenic rivers Land trust
2. catoctin Land trust strategic plan
catoctin Land trust
3. canal towns Heritage tourism
canal town partnership, c&amp;o canal trust, c&amp;o canal national Historical park
4. Forest Heights Elementary school - park connection
Forest Heights Elementary school and oxon cove national park
5. Lower susquehanna trails strategic action plan
Lower susquehanna Heritage Greenway
6. patuxent tidewater conservation plan
patuxent tidewater Land trust
7. september 11th national memorial trail
september 11th national memorial trail alliance
8. Walkable Bikeable Berlin
Lower shore Land trust, town of Berlin, Grow Berlin Green

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