Don't build this trail, too many people will use it.


Planning Board Votes Unanimously for Lake Frank Trail

by washcycle

The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the Lake Frank trail alignment "B" that WABA supported. One board member said he had previously supported the other option near the spillway but that he trusted the staff's opinion that it wasn't feasible. Another board member said that she had to rely on the master plan and not oppose a trail that's been in the plan for decades. Chairman Royce Hanson (in what may have been his last hearing and last decision as chair) made a statement including the point that every major trail that's ever been built in the county was opposed by neighbors but once built they're very popular. Parks staff noted their intent to remove the parking lots soon, without ICC money. Park staff said they would delay a trail connector from the Matthew Henson Trail to a neighborhood to do this but would try to find a state source of funds. The connector in question comes from a neighborhood that at first opposed the Matthew Henson Trail, but now wants a connection to it.

There were a number of people testifying against any paved trail along the lake, not just against the connector path. Some even supported the connector but not the path next to the lake (the next segment of the North Olney Trail). Arguments were mostly that the lake is pristine and meant for hikers wanting to enjoy the natural setting, not bikers flying through on their way somewhere. They contrasted it to Lake Needwood. They were very concerned about having the existing natural surface trail paved over. Jack Cochrane of MoBike pointed out in his testimony that no one wants to replace the existing natural trail with a paved one. The plan is to add a paved trail where there's only a natural one and add a natural trail where there's only a paved one. Users will have both.

People opposing the trail kept saying it would be part of a giant route to Olney and get too much through-use, calling it a &quot;bike road&quot; and &quot;bike highway&quot;. Which is an odd argument to make. &quot;Don't build this trail, too many people will use it.&quot; <a href="http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/06/planning-board-votes-unanimously-for-lake-frank-trail.html">http://www.thewashcycle.com/2010/06/planning-board-votes-unanimously-for-lake-frank-trail.html</a>;

Followup to:<a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20100522162614788">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20100522162614788</a>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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