Austin
December 15th, 2006, 05:16 PM
Anne Arundel County residents; Help get trail!
There is neither a significant amount of nor quality of trail in any Anne Arundel County Park to be considered a destination for mountain bikers to drive to, let along ride from their homes. People have to drive to Patapsco or Rosaryville to get even a minimum of 9-10 miles of trail.
MORE approached Anne Arundel County Parks over the past two years regarding the potential of new trail in Crownsville. The existing park is small and does not provide enough land to develop more than a mile or two. However, if the adjacent State Hospital land were to become part of the Anne Arundel County Park system, then the potential of at least 8 miles of trail is worth the effort for MORE to invest our volunteer time and grant money.
We reviewed some of the land with IMBA, and it seems soil and slopes would be ideal for a sustainable multi-use trail system. Some of the State land--the best for a park and trails--is now being considered for transfer to Anne Arundal County Parks. MORE would like to be the lead organization that the parks turn to for trail volunteer assistance. We have the experience, commitment and record of quality sustainable trail building and maintenance in parks throughout the MD/VA/DC region.
Here’s where we need help from Anne Arundel County residents:
Write a letter to the new County Executive John Leopold, in your own words, requesting that if the State Hospital Land is transferred to Anne Arundel County Parks, that you would like there to be a natural surface trail system put in to ride your bike as well as hike, run or walk--all healthy outdoor activities in our parks. And that you recommend that MORE be involved with any trail system design and development. Borrow words and ideas from here as you like, but by putting them together in your own words is what helps personalize your voice.
It doesn’t have to be long. You can include other reasons to have a trail near you; not having any place else to go; having to drive out of the county to get to a trail you want to ride, you like hiking and like the trails MORE builds. Mention that you had heard of or seen reports about the State Hospital land might be transferred to Anne Arundel County Parks and thought it would make an ideal park; you’re a member of MORE, volunteer time, etc.
It would be best if you send a mix of both mailed and e-mailed letters--send to one or the other.
Make sure you include your name and address to the version you send.
Email address:
exleop00@aacounty.org
Mailing address:
County Executive John Leopold
44 Calvert St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
10 or more people responding would be great.
Please do this today or as soon as possible.
If you don’t mind, could you also forward your letter to me for our records, and post the body of your letter in this MORE forum or list-serve—remove your name and address if you prefer—so that others can get ideas of what they can write differently.
We will keep you posted if we hear of any good news.
Thanks for your help,
Austin Steo
MORE Maryland Advocacy Director
301-847-1023
There is neither a significant amount of nor quality of trail in any Anne Arundel County Park to be considered a destination for mountain bikers to drive to, let along ride from their homes. People have to drive to Patapsco or Rosaryville to get even a minimum of 9-10 miles of trail.
MORE approached Anne Arundel County Parks over the past two years regarding the potential of new trail in Crownsville. The existing park is small and does not provide enough land to develop more than a mile or two. However, if the adjacent State Hospital land were to become part of the Anne Arundel County Park system, then the potential of at least 8 miles of trail is worth the effort for MORE to invest our volunteer time and grant money.
We reviewed some of the land with IMBA, and it seems soil and slopes would be ideal for a sustainable multi-use trail system. Some of the State land--the best for a park and trails--is now being considered for transfer to Anne Arundal County Parks. MORE would like to be the lead organization that the parks turn to for trail volunteer assistance. We have the experience, commitment and record of quality sustainable trail building and maintenance in parks throughout the MD/VA/DC region.
Here’s where we need help from Anne Arundel County residents:
Write a letter to the new County Executive John Leopold, in your own words, requesting that if the State Hospital Land is transferred to Anne Arundel County Parks, that you would like there to be a natural surface trail system put in to ride your bike as well as hike, run or walk--all healthy outdoor activities in our parks. And that you recommend that MORE be involved with any trail system design and development. Borrow words and ideas from here as you like, but by putting them together in your own words is what helps personalize your voice.
It doesn’t have to be long. You can include other reasons to have a trail near you; not having any place else to go; having to drive out of the county to get to a trail you want to ride, you like hiking and like the trails MORE builds. Mention that you had heard of or seen reports about the State Hospital land might be transferred to Anne Arundel County Parks and thought it would make an ideal park; you’re a member of MORE, volunteer time, etc.
It would be best if you send a mix of both mailed and e-mailed letters--send to one or the other.
Make sure you include your name and address to the version you send.
Email address:
exleop00@aacounty.org
Mailing address:
County Executive John Leopold
44 Calvert St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
10 or more people responding would be great.
Please do this today or as soon as possible.
If you don’t mind, could you also forward your letter to me for our records, and post the body of your letter in this MORE forum or list-serve—remove your name and address if you prefer—so that others can get ideas of what they can write differently.
We will keep you posted if we hear of any good news.
Thanks for your help,
Austin Steo
MORE Maryland Advocacy Director
301-847-1023