State of the Trail Report
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Assessment by County
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 | Charles County, Maryland |
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General
Charles County has a lengthy Potomac River shoreline, but little of it has been developed with trails. The Southern Maryland Regional Trail and Bikeway System (SMRTABS) includes a proposed route for a Potomac National Heritage Trail to follow existing roads that are nearest the Potomac River shoreline. The Potomac River Water Trail has been designated within the river and spurs are planned to connect to several landing points in Charles County.
Existing Trail Segments
In addition to the Potomac River Water Trail (1), existing trails near the river lie within General Smallwood State Park and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Indian Head (9). None of the existing trails in the corridor are designated PHT segments.
Planned Trail Segments
The Potomac River Water Trail will be augmented with the planned designation of spurs from the Wicomico Recreation Area spur (2) at the eastern end of the county to Pamunkey Creek spur (8) up river from Indian Head. The SMRTABS draft study dated March 2001 indicates that planning has begun to identify an on-road bicycle touring route connecting numerous points along the Potomac River shoreline in Charles County. This route is will be called the Potomac National Heritage Trail (13). A connecting trail is planned on the northern side of Mattawoman Creek (11) following the active right-of-way of the Indian Head-White Plains Railway. A branch trail is also planned along upper Mattawoman Creek (10). Development of a trail along the Popes Creek Railway (12) could also provide a connecting trail in the future.
Issues and Concerns
Rapid development of suburban communities is occurring in Charles County. The county has a stream valley protection program that restricts development within stream corridors, but no greenways or trails exist at present. The county has adopted the concept of a Potomac River Greenway and several public parks lie along the riverfront; Piscataway National Park, Purse State Park, General Smallwood State Park and Ruth B. Swan County Park. Also, Chapel Point State Park and Friendship Landing County Park lie in tidal tributaries to the Potomac. The NSWC at Indian Head is a large federal facility that has some potential for development of greenway connections and trails near the Potomac. Aside from these properties, the entire Potomac riverfront is in private ownership, which presents a formidable challenge to development of the PHT close to the water.
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