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.