Fairland Petition Alert!

[Austin]

Dear trail advocate,

I am asking you to sign/support a petition to complete a short connector trail at Fairland Park originally proposed by MORE as part of larger trail system concept. It will be especially useful if you also live in Prince George’s County, as this is the county where the unfinished trail is.

For the past 7 years, MORE has partnered with the parks department of both Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties to develop a natural surface trail system at Fairland Regional/Recreational Park, a bi-county park. It is a multi-use trail, which is currently enjoyed by hikers, trail runners, equestrians and bicyclists. In fact, the trail was built by representatives of all these user groups.

In the fall of 2005 we were almost finished with the main 6 to7 mile system, when while working on the last approved section needed to complete a trail loop between Prince George’s and Montgomery County, we were asked to stop work. Apparently, an elderly lady who joined us to help clear the trail was uncertain about where the trail was going. A call was made from an aide to Councilman Tom Dernoga’s office to our park contact, who said the councilman’s office would like us to stop until some unspecified concerns were addressed.

About a month later we joined others in a public meeting to discuss those concerns. Initially it was thought that the trail would impact proposed nearby development, which was odd considering the trail was in the park. After repeated calls and e-mails for over a year to Councilman Tom Dernoga’s office, the councilman was ready to take a look at the proposed trail. Further calls to his aide to schedule a meeting date and time slowly turned to negative responses and eventually to reasons that were something different than what was originally stated. As it seems the original reason for halting trail completion no longer exists, we request that work to finish this final section be allowed to resume.

It is useful to point out that the trail section at issue is short; only about 1000ft or so; is primarily in an already disturbed area; it completes a loop and was approved almost two years ago.

On the attached map, the red and yellow dashed line represents the trail that needs to be finished. Part of this loop trail was cleared on the first day of work before we were put on hold. All completed trail is indicated in orange. The main trail system alignment on the Montgomery County side of the park is complete.

Here’s several ways you can help:

1-To reach others, print the attached petition and have others sign it. Fax it back to me at 301-847-1023

2-Sign the on-line petition at:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/FairlandTrails/

3-Write a letter or e-mail to the administrators below. Personal letters are helpful.

If you plan to write a letter of your own, please include the following:
-Whether you visit the park and trails, how often?
-Note how far you travel to get to there, and the town you live in.
-indicate if you hike, run, ride a horse or bike.
-Share your thoughts about visiting the park. How much you enjoy the trail experience, etc.
-If you write a letter, please send me a copy, one way or another (e-mail/fax/mail), for my records.

Know that the bulk of the above letter will be sent to the Acting Director of Prince George’s County Parks.

Address your correspondence to:

Ronnie Gathers, Acting Director
Department of Parks and Recreation
6600 Kenilworth Avenue
Riverdale, MD 20737

E-mail:
Ronnie.Gathers@pgparks.com

Cc the following:

Honorable Thomas Dernoga
Chair, Prince George’s County Council
County Administration Building
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, 2nd Floor
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

E-mail:
tedernoga@co.pg.md.us

Eileen Nivera, Planner-Coordinator
Prince George's County Dept. of Parks and Recreation
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
6600 Kenilworth Avenue
Riverdale, MD 20737

E-mail:
Eileen.Nivera@pgparks.com

Eileen is our primary park contact who initially approved our trail proposal.

Please mail/fax/e-mail me a copy of what you send for my records.


Thanks for your support,

Austin Steo
MORE Fairland Park Liaison
301-847-1023


At this time e-mail me for printable petition or map.

[Austin]

Here is the letter thtat was sent:



Ronnie Gathers
Acting Director
Department of Parks and Recreation
6600 Kenilworth Avenue
Riverdale, MD 20737

Mr. Gathers,

My name is Austin Steo. I am both the Maryland Advocacy Director for Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) and MORE’s Fairland Regional Park Liaison. I also live across the street from Fairland Park.

MORE is Bicycle club with over 500 members. Each year we contribute a significant amount of volunteer hours and funds to maintain natural surface trails in parks throughout the metro area. In 2001, Montgomery County Parks presented MORE with a certificate of appreciation for our help in building the Holly Trail, the first approved shared-use, natural surface at Fairland Park.

For the past 7 years, MORE has partnered with the parks department of both Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties to develop a natural surface trail system at Fairland Regional/Recreational Park, a bi-county park. It is a multi-use trail, which is currently enjoyed by hikers, trail runners, equestrians and bicyclists. In fact, the trail was built by representatives of all these user groups.

In the fall of 2005 we were almost finished with the main 6 to7 mile system, when while working on the last approved section needed to complete a trail loop connecting Prince George’s and Montgomery County, we were asked to stop work. Apparently, an elderly lady who joined us to help clear the trail was uncertain about where the trail was going. Our park contacts told us that a call was made from an aide to Councilman Tom Dernoga’s office asking us to stop work until some unspecified concerns were addressed.

About a month later we joined others in a public meeting to discuss those concerns. Initially it was thought that the trail would impact proposed nearby development, which was odd considering the trail was in the park. After repeated calls and e-mails for over a year to Councilman Tom Dernoga’s office, the councilman was ready to take a look at the proposed trail. Unfortunately, it seems there was some miscommunication which led the Councilman to think we were no longer interested. Recently we have learned that the original reason for halting trail completion no longer exists. Therefore, we request that work to finish this final section be allowed to resume.

It is useful to point out that the trail section at issue is short; only about 1000ft or so; is primarily in an already disturbed area; it completes a loop and was approved almost two years ago.

On the attached map, the red and yellow dashed line represents the trail that needs to be finished. Part of this loop trail was cleared on the first day of work before we were put on hold. All completed trail is indicated in orange. The main trail system alignment on the Montgomery County side of the park is complete, although Montgomery’s on-line map has not been updated to reflect the finished trail that will link to the trail on the Prince George’s side of the park.

Best regards,


Austin Steo
Trail Liaison, Fairland Regional Park
301-847-1023

cc: Councilman Tom Dernoga; Prince George’s County Administration Building
Eileen Nivera; Department of Parks and Recreation
James Corbett; President, MORE

[Austin]

Fairland Gazette Article

http://www.gazette.net/stories/082307/laurnew161011_32359.shtml

[Austin]

I met with Acting Director, Ronnie Gathers and other park staff today at Fairland to discuss the proposed unfinished trail. I plan to make a few more points in writing defending the need for the additional trail when there is a pipeline right-of-way that is used now--you know, the wide, straight, down the fall line, muddy during wet season dirt road.

I'll let everyone know when I hear where we go from here.

Austin

[Austin]

It looks like we will finally build the connector trail at Fairland. I am working with park resource managers to determine an adjusted compromise alignment which will be ready for our trail workday next Saturday, Sept 22.

If seeing is believing, then join us. Stay tuned for the trailwork details.

If this actually happens, it will because of the community of people like yourselves who spoke up in support of trails. That includes all those who signed the petition, and even more those that wrote personal comments, letters and e-mails to the park authorities. It was not just bicyclist but equestrains, hikers and local citizens who wanted to see this completed. This was an interest of the broader community.

Huge thanks for all your support.

Your liaison,
Austin

[Austin]

Where: Fairland Recreational Park
Date: September 22, 2007—Saturday
When: 9:30am
Meet: “Garden’s Ice House” parking lot off Old Gunpowder Road (see directions below)

Project: Finally finish a connector trail in Prince George’s County joining trail in Montgomery County! Trail work is rain or shine.

With this trail, the main trail system will be in done. While there is finish work to do at various places along the trail system, there is a sense of completion in getting the primary route in place.

Bring work gloves, boots and enough to drink for several hours.

If anyone wants to lead a ride earlier feel free to post.

Trail Liaisons:
Austin Steo
301-847-1023
301-518-5443 cell (day of TW)
E-Mail: fairland@more-mtb.org

Karen Garnett and Dan Hudson
301-498-2802

Directions: (different than those in “where to ride”)

Directions From DC:
Take 495 to 95 North towards Baltimore;
Take the first exit onto route 212 East (Powder Mill Road) towards Beltsville.
Upon exiting, get into the left lane immediately and turn left onto Old Gunpowder Road. Stay on Old Gunpowder for a few miles. Go past Greencastle Road about 500 feet and turn left towards Garden’s Ice House. Meet in the back parking lot.

Directions From Baltimore:
Take 95 south to exit 33B route 198 west towards Burtonsville.
At the second light take a left onto Old Gunpowder Road. Pass the Fairland Aquatic Center entrance and turn at the next right towards Garden’s Ice House. Meet in the back parking lot.

[Austin]

Trail work is still on, but yet again the connection was put on hold, and at the last minute, as of a few minutes ago! I'll fill everyone in as soon as I know more.

We have some benchwork we still need to do so we have work.

See you all tomorrow.

By the way, when taking ramp off RT212, take the ramp exit even though it says it's closed and then follow the detour.

Austin

[Austin]

So it looks like some folks possibly anti-bike and anti-trail will be joining all the powers that be at a 9am meeting right near our meeting location.

If you were already coming, then consider meeting me at 9am instead to speak your mind. Otherwise meet as usual.

Austin
301-847-1023

[Austin]

Yes, that's right. Imediately after getting final approval of the long awaited connector trail, Rick and myself began clearing where we left off two years ago. We didn't have a lot of time, but we made progress.

I am looking to get out this Tuesday and possibly Thursday afternoon to clear as much of the corridor as we can. Once cleared we will then go back and bench cut the side hill trial. I will post something by Monday. Let me know the earliest you want to start in the afternoon. We are not far from parking, so I can easily come out and meet you or describe where we will be for all the differing times people may have to make it out.

It was great feeling to actually get started.

Austin