Who: Open to the Public

What: Regional Stakeholder Outdoor Recreation Evaluation

When & Where:

• Western Region ─ March 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro
• Eastern Region ─  March 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Talbot County Community Recreation Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway (Rt. 50), Easton
• Central Region ─ March 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Howard County Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia

Cost: Free

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking citizens for their input on State outdoor recreation facilities and services in areas throughout Maryland. The Department gathered information from those in Southern Maryland earlier this month.

The recreational evaluations are 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.

The public input will help guide the update of the Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan, which will serve as a 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.

State Grant Moves Trails Forward

Towson, Maryland (August 23, 2012) - Catonsville will have an expanded Short Line Trail and a new bike route from UMBC to the Frederick Road business district thanks to a $100,000 design grant awarded to Baltimore County from the Maryland Bikeways Program, part of the Governor's Cycle Maryland Initiative. Catonsville Rails to Trails will be providing in-kind services to support the planning and engineering needed to extend the bike trails network..

"In this era of high gas prices, traffic congestion and a renewed emphasis on physical fitness, bike trails really make sense," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. "We thank the State for its support of Catonsville's growing network of trails and bicycle routes."

Short Line Trail to UMBC

With a new bike spur from the Short Line Trail to UMBC, the community will have safe bicycle commuting, more recreational options, and convenient connections to and from the university campus to the shops and restaurants along Frederick Road.

"Catonsville's bike trails are a wonderful way for neighbors and families to connect with each other," said Councilman Tom Quirk. "We're proud that Catonsville Trails to Rails has been a leader in bringing this wonderful amenity to our community."

The UMBC spur would tap into the existing Short Line Trail, which serves as the backbone of a growing network of trails and bicycle facilities that link educational, business and recreational destinations in the greater Catonsville area. Key destinations include:

• Charlestown Retirement Community
• Western High School
• Bloomsbury Community Center
• Catonsville and Paradise Village Centers
• Maidens Choice Shopping Center
• Catonsville High School
• Lurman Woodland Theater

Rails to Trails

"Catonsville Rails to Trails is pleased to partner with Baltimore County and the State to build a network of trails to serve the residents of Catonsville and the entire county," said Thomas M. Ajluni, President, Catonsville Rails to Trails.

"We're pleased to be able to support Catonsville Rails to Trails through the state's cycling program," said State Senator Edward Kasemeyer.

 "Bike routes and trails truly add to our quality of life," said Delegate Jimmy Malone.

"Catonsville bike trails and routes help bring our community even closer together - while making our environment cleaner and safer," said Delegate Steven DeBoy.

Other Regional Projects

Other recently funded bicycle projects in the area include a signed bicycle route from UMBC to the Halethorpe MARC rail station, and bike lanes and routes on Frederick Road and Edmondson Avenue. Together with the existing number eight Streetcar Path connecting Frederick Road and Edmondson Avenue and the number nine Trolley Trail, which connects to historic Ellicott City, these projects will begin to establish a comprehensive bicycle network serving the region.