O’Malley Announces 42 Trail Grant Winners
In another step forward for his Cycle Maryland Initiative and for his Statewide Trails Vision “Maryland Trails: A Greener Way To Go,” Governor Martin O’Malley today announces more than $1 million in grants for the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The 2013 grants are awarded to 11 counties, 12 municipalities and eight nonprofit associations to support a variety of projects involving construction of new trails, maintenance of existing trails, as well as equipment purchases.
“Trails provide connections and help people enjoy Maryland’s natural treasures, reducing the impact on the land and improving fitness and well-being,” said Governor O’Malley. “These funds will support the development of a statewide trails system that complements Smart Growth, sustainable communities and enhanced quality of life for all of Maryland’s citizens and visitors.”
The RTP provides grants that range from $5,000 to $64,000 for trail maintenance, construction and stewardship projects for all types of trails including bicycling, pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use), in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding and four-wheel driving.
The selected projects include off-road bicycle route connections, trail restorations, bike route signage, safety improvements and trail guides. One highlight is $40,000 in funding to build a new connector trail between the town of Indian Head and the Indian Head Rail Trail.
The list of 2013 grant recipients is below:
| Recipient | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adkins Arboretum | Trailhead & Trail Construction at Adkins Arboretum | $30,000.00 |
| Allegany County | Great Allegheny Passage/Safety/Maintenance Equipment | $16,312.00 |
| City of Brunswick | Brunswick Trailside Amenities | $10,107.92 |
| Baltimore County Department of Recreation & Parks | Phase 2 of the Northeast Trail at Indian Rock | $30,000.00 |
| Baltimore County Department of Recreation & Parks (PRIORITY 2 ) | Stabilization of the West Towson Trail | $30,000.00 |
| Cromwell Valley Park Council | Blue and White Trail Stabilization Project | $30,000.00 |
| Cylburn Arboretum Association, Inc. | Trails Improvement Project, Phase II | $37,200.00 |
| Town of Easton | Easton Rail Trail – Mecklenburg Extension | $40,000.00 |
| Town of East New Market | Friendship Heights Walking Trail | $16,000.00 |
| Mayor and Council of the Town of Federalsburg | Completion of Boardwalk/Fishing Dock Marsheyhope Creek Greenway Trail Spur | $8,000.00 |
| Grants Continued | ||
| Town of Hancock | Western Maryland Rail Trail Enhancements II | $26,277.00 |
| Howard County Conservancy | Howard County Conservancy Accessible Trail Improvements | $24,750.00 |
| Town of Indian Head | Indian Head Downtown Connector Trail | $40,000.00 |
| State of Maryland Horse Industry Board | Maryland’s Public Equestrian Trails Brochure | $5,998.00 |
| MNCP&PC Prince Georges County | Horsepen Trail | $40,000.00 |
| MNCP&PC Prince Georges County | Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis (WB&A) Trail – Lemons Bridge Spur | $64,640.00 |
| Montgomery Parks Foundation MNCPPC Montgomery County | Boardwalks for Upper Rock Creek Trail | $32,800.00 |
| Queen Anne’s County | Rte. 18 Park Recreation Trail Renovation Total Park Accessibility Phase III | $37,630.00 |
| Queen Anne’s County | Old Love Point ADA Trail Renovation and Extension | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Ridgely | Enhancement to the Greater Ridgely Rails to Trails, Trail Phase II | $10,800.00 |
| James B. Richardson Foundation, Non-Profit | Richardson Maritime Heritage Center Interpretive Trail Phase II | $16,400.00 |
| City of Rockville | Crooked Creek Path Restoration | $30,000.00 |
| Historic St. Mary’s City | Historic St. Mary’s City Scenic Visitor Trail Vehicle | $30,000.00 |
| St. Mary’s County | Three Notch Trail Phase VI | $40,000.00 |
| Town of Sharpsburg | Canal Town Trail Amenity Refurbishment | $24,324.59 |
| Historic Sotterley, Non Profit | Nature Trails Access and Restoration of Sotterley Plantation. (PRIORITY 1 ) | $30,000.00 |
| Town of Williamsport | Town of Williamsport Trail Development | $5,512.00 |
| Trail Conservancy | Emmitsburg Shared Use Trails and/or other Maryland Trail Projects | $30,000.00 |
| Maryland Agricultural Resource Council | Ag Center Farms Trail Equipment | $16,800.00 |
| DNR – Maryland Forest Service | Algonquin Cross Country trail | $25,000.00 |
| DNR – Park Service | Patapsco Trail Labor | $29,920.00 |
| DNR – Wildlife & Heritage Service | Cedar Point Accessible Trail | $15,625.00 |
| DNR – Forest Service | Green Ridge State Forest Trail Maintenance | $30,000.00 |
| DNR – Park Service | Trail Guide Printing | $28,000.00 |
| DNR- Wildlife & Heritage Service | Warrior Mountain WMA Trail Project | $9,600.00 |
| DNR – Forest service | Doncaster Phase VI Dennis Trail Restoration | $30,000.00 |
| DNR – Park Service | Patapsco Accessible Trail | $25,920.00 |
| DNR – Wildlife & Heritage Service | Dans Mountain WMA Trail Project | $14,000.00 |
| DNR – Forest Service Elk Neck | Contractual Staff Trail Maintenance | $30,000.00 |
| DNR – Park Service | MCC Trail Labor | $30,000.00 |
| DNR – Wildlife & Heritage Service | MT. Nebo Trail Maintenance | $15,000.00 |
| TOTAL | $1,066,616.51 |
The RTP supports Governor O’Malley’s Statewide Trail Vision “Maryland Trails: A Greener Way To Go,” by focusing trail investments on missing links in the statewide trail network. The program connects people with natural and cultural resources as well as access to more active lifestyles. Since taking office, Governor O’Malley has awarded $7 million in RTP funds to communities across Maryland.
SHA partners with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), other State agencies and trail user groups to solicit and select good projects that meet statewide trails goals. They include economic development, transportation, environment and public health. Selected RTP grant projects maximize Maryland’s existing trail network usage and make needed connections and/or enhance existing state designated investment areas such as designated Scenic Byways, Heritage Areas and/or Main Streets.
Governor O’Malley created the Cycle Maryland Initiative to consolidate and coordinate bicycle programs to make bicycling a true transportation alternative and to encourage more people to get outside and ride. The goal is to support the economy to provide a cleaner environment and to encourage a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life for all Marylanders.
Engage us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Tweets by @mymcmedia