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BALTIMORE, MD (October 15, 2013) – As part of the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s Cycle Maryland Initiative, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced $1.21 million in grants for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The 2014 grant recipients include five counties, six municipalities and 15 non-profit organizations that will use the funds to improve pedestrian/bicyclist trails. The work being done through a total of 52 projects includes constructing new trails, maintaining existing trails, purchasing equipment and signage.
“Maintaining and expanding Maryland’s recreational trail network supports healthy lifestyles and encourages the preservation of our natural resources,” said Governor O’Malley. “These grants also will help local jurisdictions throughout the State expand their nature-based tourism and economic development opportunities.”
The RTP, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $64,000 on a reimbursement basis with funds for numerous transportation trail and recreational trail uses. They include 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.
Some of the winning projects include:
• Catonsville Rails to Trails: $30,000 in funding to build a walking and bicycling trail along the former Short Line Railroad route connecting the center of Catonsville with the Charlestown Retirement Center;
• Town of Friendsville: $40,000 to construct a trail between the town and a trailhead for the Youghiogheny Water Trail; and
• Town of Sykesville: $20,000 to resurface and widen the Hawk Ridge Linear Trail.
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 2007, Governor O'Malley has awarded more than $7 million in RTP funds to communities across Maryland. In the Department of Transportation’s draft six-year capital budget (FY 2014 – FY 2019), nearly $5 million is programmed for recreational trails.
“The popularity of alternative transportation projects, like recreational trails and bikesharing, is growing throughout Maryland,” said Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr. “We have responded to this demand by investing nearly $200 million over the next six years for projects that support bicycle and pedestrian use and help get people to where they want to go.”
SHA partners with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), other State agencies and trail user groups to solicit and select 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 - often enhancing existing state designated investment areas including designated Scenic Byways, Heritage Areas and/or Main Streets. For more information on the Recreational Trails Program, please visit
http://www.roads.maryland.gov/Index.aspx?PageId=98.
Governor O’Malley launched the Cycle Maryland Initiative to consolidate and coordinate bicycle programs in Maryland in an effort to make bicycling a true transportation alternative. For more information on Cycle Maryland efforts and great bicycling resources, please visit
www.cycle.maryland.gov, on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/cyclemaryland and follow on Twitter @CycleMaryland.
The Maryland Department of Transportation is currently updating the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which was adopted in 2002. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan establishes a 20-year vision to support cycling and walking as modes of transportation in Maryland. Learn more at
www.mdot.maryland.gov/BikeWalkPlan.
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