wiggy
February 17th, 2005, 12:58 AM
ANNAPOLIS -- Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) today unveiled a $75K grant to MORE, the region's largest mountain bike club, to help the club continue its work of developing and improving trails in Maryland.
A top priority for MORE is to develop trails on so-called "Brownfield" sites that will turn distressed land into a resource for healthy outdoor recreation.
"We're thrilled and honored to receive this generous grant from the State of Maryland," said MORE President Eric von Eckartsberg. "The grant will help us create new trail systems for all Marylanders to enjoy."
If approved by the General Assembly, funding could become available in July.
MORE has received state funds in past years for a number of projects, including new trails at Rosaryville State Park in Prince George's County and Black Hill Regional Park in Montgomery County. MORE was also recently recognized by the State of Maryland with several awards for exceptional contributions at area parks.
Multi-use trails developed by MORE at Schaeffer Farm, near the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, have been lauded by both mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts. Bicycling Magazine touted the trails as providing an outstanding biking experience, while the book "50 Hikes in Maryland" said hikers find the trails so enjoyable they should return "over and over again."
The trails are also regularly used by equestrians from a nearby private stable and by local trail-runners. "Our well-designed recreational trails have proven popular not just with bikers but all outdoor enthusiasts including hikers and equestrians," said von Eckartsberg.
With over 500 members, the Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, or MORE, is an entirely volunteer run organization and registered 501(3)c non-profit. It is an affiliate of the International Mountain Biking Association, or IMBA.
Information on MORE is available at the club's web site www.more-mtb.org
FOR FURTHER INFO:
Eric von Eckartsberg: 703-598-8105
Mark Wigfield: 703-979-0339
David Scull 301-897-3424
A top priority for MORE is to develop trails on so-called "Brownfield" sites that will turn distressed land into a resource for healthy outdoor recreation.
"We're thrilled and honored to receive this generous grant from the State of Maryland," said MORE President Eric von Eckartsberg. "The grant will help us create new trail systems for all Marylanders to enjoy."
If approved by the General Assembly, funding could become available in July.
MORE has received state funds in past years for a number of projects, including new trails at Rosaryville State Park in Prince George's County and Black Hill Regional Park in Montgomery County. MORE was also recently recognized by the State of Maryland with several awards for exceptional contributions at area parks.
Multi-use trails developed by MORE at Schaeffer Farm, near the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, have been lauded by both mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts. Bicycling Magazine touted the trails as providing an outstanding biking experience, while the book "50 Hikes in Maryland" said hikers find the trails so enjoyable they should return "over and over again."
The trails are also regularly used by equestrians from a nearby private stable and by local trail-runners. "Our well-designed recreational trails have proven popular not just with bikers but all outdoor enthusiasts including hikers and equestrians," said von Eckartsberg.
With over 500 members, the Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, or MORE, is an entirely volunteer run organization and registered 501(3)c non-profit. It is an affiliate of the International Mountain Biking Association, or IMBA.
Information on MORE is available at the club's web site www.more-mtb.org
FOR FURTHER INFO:
Eric von Eckartsberg: 703-598-8105
Mark Wigfield: 703-979-0339
David Scull 301-897-3424