A Time for Trailblazers

My equestrian friend Chris, who joined me on my first "Here 2 Play" adventure more than a year ago, was boundlessly enthusiastic about the recent Trails Summit hosted by the DNR in Linthicum.

Chris was there on behalf of the Annapolis Rec Board, but also to learn about equestrian-friendly trails in the state.  She was pleased to see that her horse friends were well represented by such advocacy groups as TROT (Trail Riders of Today) and EPIC (Equestrian Partners In Conservation.)

In fact, there were many interest groups attending, including representatives from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware.  A major focus of this pow wow was not just building new trails, but the most productive and expedient means to connect existing ones.

Our neighbors to the north already share two wildly popular multi-use trails with us.  The 20 mile Torrey Brown (North Central) in Baltimore County blends seamlessly into the York County Heritage Trail, which takes it another 21 miles beyond the Mason-Dixon line into to the city/county seat. 

Another of the most popular rail trails between the two states is the Great Allegheny Passage, of which the Allegheny Highlands Trail is the Maryland segment from Cumberland.  Together with the C&O Canal towpath, this creates a scenic route along old transportation routes from Georgetown to Pittsburgh.

Our friends to the east would like to see some similar connectors that would access Fair Hill, the 5633 acre DNR land preserve with trails and equestrian facilities.  Fair Hill, once the property of the DuPont family, is popular with mountain bikers and hosts many cycling as well as equestrian events.  Fair Hill shares borders with both Pennsylvania and Delaware and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts from all three states.

Virginia also sent a representative to the summit, who applauded Maryland's initiative to collaborate with neighboring states and pledged participation.

The Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) took an active role in the conversation.  Maryland, with its rugged terrain and vast expanses of public land, is a favorite destination for regional riders. MORE representatives are eyeing connectors between some of the existing trails and the virtually untouched state parks in Western Maryland.  They are also interested in identifying new/old trails in newly acquired conservation districts like the South River Greenway in Anne Arundel County.

The exciting thing about the summit is that it brought together all types of trail users and the conservation interests who support them as a means to promote stewardship of public lands.

Trails in Maryland have come a long way since the mid-1980's when the abandoned North Central railbed was envisioned as a recreational amenity.  DNR Secretary John Griffin, who addressed the conference, reminisced about the difficulties in overcoming NIMBY opposition to a linear park adjacent to private property. Today, of course, the North Central -- renamed to honor the visionary former DNC Secretary Dr. Torrey Brown -- is immensely popular with neighbors and visitors alike.  One of the questions frequently raised was "how can we connect to the Torrey Brown?"

Secretary Griffin reconfirmed his personal commitment to expanding and connecting the DNR's 1,000 mile system.  He unveiled a new DRN website which provides a data base of existing DNR trails and will eventually include other state, county and municipal trail information.

Of the 200+ in attendance, some were interested in trails as basic transportation, others as recreational and fitness facilities.  There were those who see them as linear parks and a means for preserving open space, and many who appreciate their appeal to the visitor industry and our heritage.  All had appreciation for the positive environmental and conservation impact that trails have in Maryland.  That was the common denominator for the very diverse assemblage in Linthicum.

As for "Here 2 Play," we celebrate trails as one of the many sports venues that our state has to offer visitors who love the outdoors and spend their time (and money) here.

Kudos for Cal at TEAMS

Terry is reporting from the TEAMS conference that the Cal Ripken World Series World Championship Game just won the SportsTravel Award for Best Single Sporting Event.

This is a national award, and the globally televised game (the culmination of nearly a week of tournament play with hundreds of kids and their families in attendance) beat out some pretty stiff competition. 

It is particularly gratifying since Harford County is represented at the TEAMS Conference.

Congratulations to Harford County, City of Aberdeen and the Iron Man himself for staging such a successful youth sports event.  It is a recognition well deserved.

The Match Game

Here's TEAM Maryland, with their captain/coach/cheerleader on the right. 

They are assembled on their court for a high stakes scrimmage known as The Match Game.

Think of it as speed dating for sports events and economic impact instead of love and marriage --although those elements are relevant in this romantic wooing.  For getting a major rights holder to fall madly in love with your destination, venue and amenities and committing to a long-term relationship means big, big bucks for the folks back home.

(Sorry for putting it in gold digger terms, but you get the picture.)

Terry and the TEAM found Maryland to be a hot ticket among the rights holders.  In fact, their dance card was filled with 22 scheduled appointments and even a few who were not originally on the list.

Part of the conference included networking opportunities and open sessions. TEAM Maryland was the sponsor of The State of the Sports Event Industry session.

 A panel of industry leaders talked about the promising growth of sports travel, participation, and attendance even as the rest of the economy struggles.   They identified new approaches by sponsors to get or remain in the game while resources are at a low.

The conference is still in progress, so Terry and TEAM Maryland are prospecting for more gold.  He plans to give a full recounting when he gets back.

Trolling TEAMS with Terry

It's hunting season again, and Terry is stalking big game in Charlotte, NC.

Not the kind with antlers, but the type that attracts spectators and participants, fills loads of hotel rooms, and generates a bundle of tax dollars.

That's right -- sports events and activities.  This time, Terry has lots of company with representatives of the major jurisdictions who now comprise TEAM Maryland.  Delegates from Harford, Prince Georges, Howard, Anne Arundel, Wicomico, Montgomery and Frederick Counties are participating, along with Baltimore City.

They have appointments with major rights-holders for events that have enjoyed similar success in Maryland (such as triathlons) and some that could be splendidly adapted to entire regions of our geographically diverse state -- like orienteering.

They will be meeting one on one with youth tournaments, arena invitationals, water sports and field competitions.

Terry has promised to send us a picture of Team Maryland in action.  Stay tuned.

Fans Afloat

I checked into one of my favorite designated Ravens watering holes before leaving on a Bermuda vacation.  Happy to see they appreciate Joe as much as I.  This Raven scarecrow blended in perfectly with the season (and the sentiment)

Although the boat would be somewhere in the Atlantic when the ball was snapped Sunday, I still packed my gear, determined to figure out a way to tune in, despite the lack of an international signal.

Silly me.  I should have realized the hard core had taken care of the problem before we had even passed Fort McHenry.  I heard a fellow passenger say to another "I'll see you in the Bolaro tomorrow."  It only took a moment to learn this ringleader had already negotiated for the satellite signal to be repositioned to accommodate the boatload of Raven fans on Sunday at sea.

So it was with pride and a sense of camaraderie that I decked out in full Flacco before hitting the buffet Sunday morning.   I hadn't made it any further than the omelette station when a realization hit me:  there were Steeler fans aboard.  In fact, there were more of them than there were of us.

Who would have thought?  I know they're as ubiquitous as Red Sox Nation, but on a boat from Baltimore, for heavens sakes?

Yes, and making no apologies.  There were as many Hines and Polarmos as Flaccos and Heaps.  And we had to share a lounge transformed into a sports bar for the occasion.

"Don't worry," said the ringleader I met earlier -- now decked out in a vintage Unitas jersey.  "We can take these guys."

I can't really do justice to the mayhem that ensued for those few hours.  The ship was rocking and rolling even before the game, but it was really tossing during the action.  Even the few stray Redskin and Giants fans (also in uniform) got into the act.

Despite the threats to make the losers swim home, everyone really got along great.  An informal and bipartisan tailgate broke out with food smuggled from the buffet and everyone partook (no need for designated drivers, either.)

It might have been more exhilarating to be in Heinz Field for the thrilling victory, but sharing a floating sports bar with a great bunch of homies and some good sports from the north was something this Ravens fan won't forget.

Go Ravens!  Beat Denver!