State of the Trail Report
Agencies
Assessment by County
Policy |
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General
Prince George's County, Maryland, is almost entirely suburbanized in part because of its strategic metropolitan location and its physical suitability for development. Like many other counties in the D.C. metropolitan area, the population of the County is growing and public support for trails and greenways is on the rise. In 1998 the population in Prince George's County was approximately 778,000 and is projected to reach 852,400 by 2010. Interest in and improvements to non-motorized transportation opportunities have contributed to a positive climate for trail connections between parks, schools, commercial areas, and neighborhoods in Prince George's County.
Prince George's County is home to many parks and attractions including the Piscataway Park, Fort Washington Park, Fort Foote and Oxon Hill Farm Park. Within Piscataway Park, the Accokeek Foundation operates the National Colonial Farm and the Alice Ferguson Foundation operates Hard Bargain Farm. Although no riverfront trails have been developed outside of federal parks along the Potomac at this time, interest is growing in Prince George's County to develop better public access to the river.
Existing Trail Segments
The Potomac River Water Trail has been designated and several connecting land trails are planned. In addition to the Potomac River Water Trail existing trails along the Potomac River frontage of Prince GeorgeÕs County are within Oxon Hill, Fort Foote, Fort Washington, and Piscataway National Parks. The only major connecting trail is the Henson Creek Trail, which currently reaches from Suitland Parkway to Oxon Hill Road.
An on-road Potomac Heritage Trail bicycling route and guide was published by Prince George's County in late 2000, and is being revised and expanded.
Prince Georges County also features prominently in the developing Potomac Water Trail.
Planned Trail Segments
The county has included the Potomac River Heritage Trail in local plans since 1975; the County and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) identify this corridor as a priority and the Potomac Heritage Trail subcommittee of the Prince GeorgeÕs County Bicycle and Trails Advisory Group (BTAG) is currently studying options for an off-road, multi-use alignment of the PHT. As over 54% of the Potomac River shoreline is publicly owned in this county, a priority will be to connect parks and historic sites in order to offer enjoyable trail experiences for a variety of user groups.
A cross-river link on the replacement Woodrow Wilson Bridge is also planned, and plans should be monitored to ensure a continuous and safe connection to the Potomac River Heritage Trail.
In addition to planning an appropriate off-road alignment PHT, future steps for the PHT in Prince George's County include:
- creating a map of the off-road alignment of the PHT that shows existing trails and potential connections;
- interpreting the many historic natural and cultural resources along the trail;
- placing signs along the on-road bike route;
- planning for future bicycle compatible road improvements.
Contacts
Accokeek Foundation
3400 Bryan Point Rd.
Accokeek, MD 20607
Wilton Corkern, Executive Director
(301) 283-2113; FAX (301) 283-2049
Maryland Greenways Commission
580 Taylor Ave., E2
Annapolis MD 21401
(410) 260-8780; FAX (410) 260-8779
Email: lgutierrez@dnr.state.md.us
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Prince George's Co. Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Eileen Nivera, ASLA, Park Planner
(301) 699-2522
Email: enivera@pgparks.com
Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club
Jim Hudnall, President
(301) 567-0089
Email: info@ohbike.org
Prince George's County Bicycle and Trails Advisory Group (BTAG)
Fred Shaffer, Co-Chair
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 952-3661; FAX (301) 952-3612
Email: fred.shaffer@ppd.mncppc.org
Southern Prince George's Trail Coalition
Mark Holt, Coordinator
(301) 292-0852
Email: mholt@crs.loc.gov
Trail Riders of Today
Mary Angevine
P.O. Box 1069
Beltsville, MD 20704
(301) 588-TROT
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