Natural Surface, Multi-use Trails

within the Ward Rd. park property in Calvert County, MD

Prepared by:

Calvert Cycling & Trails Coalition

http://calvertctc.org

Prepared Statement The Calvert Cycling and Trails Coalition strongly supports the integration of natural surface, multi-use trails in the master plan of the Ward Rd. park property - a recommendation consistent with the current open space plan for Calvert County parks. My name is Brian Raines and I am here tonight representing the Calvert Cycling and Trails Coalition which currently consists of over 165 hikers, runners, walkers, and cyclists. At a recent Planning Commission meeting on May 21, 2014 the presentation of the draft open space plan as it pertains to parks in Calvert County was discussed. This open space plan contains general language regarding the development of natural surface multi-use trails in Calvert County Parks, as well as, some very specific language referencing their inclusion within the Ward Rd. park property. We feel the community would benefit greatly from the inclusion of a natural surface, multi-use trail and a bicycle skills park in the Ward Rd. park master plan. - A trail system would co-exist well with other park uses utilizing mostly perimeter space. - A trail system would open up areas of the park otherwise not easily accessible. - A trail system would provide a healthy exercise outlet to both adults and children whether they are walking, running, hiking, or cycling.

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- A natural surface trail system is sustainable and environmentally friendly. - A bike skills park provides a community resource that helps encourage healthy, sustainable physical exercise and activity. - A bike skills parks and trail system can serve as a community showpiece, reflecting the community's commitment to healthy recreation. - A bike skills parks and trail system encourages volunteerism, community participation and family involvement helping bring communities together. - Trail systems and bike skills parks are a perfect opportunity for a public/private partnership with groups such as, but not limited to, MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts), IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association), and the Trail Conservancy, who can provide assistance, planning experience, and manpower to both build and maintain the resources. - A trail system will provide a positive economic impact for local businesses. - Trail systems can have a positive impact on surrounding neighborhoods by increasing property values. We have prepared a packet of information for your reference. Included in the packet you received are: - Detailed information regarding the benefits of trail systems and bicycle skills parks. - A map providing a GPS track of an exploratory walk at the Ward Rd property, following contour lines, showing the potential for sustainable, shared-use, natural surface, single track trail. - Maps of other regional trail systems for comparison and reference. - Photos of other trail systems and bicycle skills parks. - Links to videos demonstrating a singletrack trail system and bicycle skills park. - Contact information for the Calvert Cycling and Trails Coalition should you have any questions. On behalf of the Calvert Cycling & Trails Coalition I want to thank you for the opportunity to present this information this evening. We look forward to the inclusion of a natural surface, multi-use trail system and bicycle skills park in the master plan for the Ward Rd. property.

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Economic Impact of Trails on Neighborhoods “Are trails safe? How do they affect property values of adjacent residents? These perennial issues have been the subject of a few studies which find that trails are quite benign in their social impact. The facts haven't stopped groups organized against rail trail development from trumpeting that the few instances of crime are proof that trails are unsafe. Homeowners nationwide express the same concerns and fears about proposed trails in their neighborhoods. But studies in various parts of the United States seem to show that concerns about trails lowering property values and increasing crime are unfounded. In fact, trails have consistently been shown to increase (or have no effect on) property values, to have no measurable effect on public safety, and to have an overwhelming positive influence on the quality of life for trail neighbors as well as the larger community.” Source: http://www.americantrails.org/resources/adjacent/sumadjacent.html

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Maps

GPS track of an exploratory walk at the Ward Rd/Volunteer Park property, following contour lines, showing potential for sustainable, shared-use, natural surface, single track trail. A reputable trail builder could flesh out the potential for trail at this site following contour lines, using sustainable trail building techniques.

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The blue shaded area points out a potential spot for a bicycle skills area (pump track).

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Sample Maps from Other Local Trails

Rosaryville State Park

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Fairland Regional Park - Laurel, MD & Wakefield Trail System - Annandale, VA

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Cosca Park - Clinton, MD

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Rosaryville State Park Photos Examples of sustainable, shared use, singletrack trail at Rosaryville State Park

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Videos

Rosaryville State Park - YouTube Video offering a good representation of a singletrack trail http://goo.gl/IY5DrA

Bicycle Skills Park - YouTube video demonstrating a bicycle skills park (commonly referred to as a “pump track”) http://goo.gl/8cuxPC (NOTE: by scanning the QR code next to each video you will be able to view the YouTube directly on your smartphone or mobile device)

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Resources for Building Trails and a Bicycle Skills Area

Photos of a singletrack trail system under construction MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) An IMBA chapter and premier trail advocate in the DC/MD/VA area. A large number of shared use, single track trails and skills areas have been spearheaded and completed using MORE resources, including a pumptrack/skills area at Rockburn Branch Park in Howard County and one at Germantown Regional Complex in Montgomery County. A well respected source for funding, volunteer man power, and information. Northern Calvert is in the MORE territory for DC/MD/VA. http://www.more-mtb.org Trail Conservancy A local resource for sustainable, shared use, single track trail planning/design and building as well as obtaining funding in the form of grants, etc. in the DC/MD/VA area. http://trailconservancy.org/ IMBA – International Mountain Bike Association An excellent resource for and design of sustainable trail design and information. https://www.imba.com/

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Trail Building Photos

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Rockburn Skills Park “Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (M.O.R.E), Howard County Recreation and Parks, and International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) have created a private-public partnership to build a skills area in Rockburn Branch Park--for those of you who have yet to visit Rockburn, it is 450 acres located in Elkridge, Maryland with two entrances: one by Rockburn Elementary School off of Montgomery Rd and the other on Landing Rd across the street from Patapsco Valley State Park. The multi-use trail system is being built with mountain bikers and trail runners in mind. It will consist of multiple trails of varying complexity and will be called The Rockburn Branch Skills Park. Howard County dedicated the land in Rockburn Branch Park for the project; IMBA flew in world-class trail engineers and designers; and MORE raised the funding, managed the project, and provided hundreds of hours of volunteer effort. The final product was donated to the park system on June 2, 2012 and is free for the public to use. The park includes a pump track and three downhill lines: one for beginners, one for intermediate riders, and one for more advanced riders. This is a family-first facility where Howard County kids and adults can hone their bicycle riding skills.” From the Rockburn Skills Park website - http://www.rockburnskillspark.org/ "A pump track is a continuous loop of dirt berms and “rollers” (smooth dirt mounds) that you ride without pedaling. The name “pump track” comes from the pumping motion used by the rider’s upper and lower body as they ride around the track. The idea of a pump track is to use this pumping motion to maintain your speed around the track without pedaling. It’s a great work out and lots of fun! Pump tracks can be ridden by cyclists of all ages and skill levels. You don’t need a special kind of bicycle to ride on a pump track ‐ BMX bikes, mountain bikes, kids bikes ‐ even “scooter” bikes can be used on the pump track." From What is a Pump Track? http://www.teamtowncycle.com/docs/pumptrack411.pdf

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Map showing Rockburn Branch Park with the Skills Park/Pump Track area highlighted in blue.

Calvert Cycling & Trails Coalition Contact Information Online: http://calvertctc.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/251922388322454/ Brian Raines, Founding Member of the Calvert CTC bnraines@gmail.com 410-231-4664

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