Annual Meeting Recognizes Trail Volunteers And Highlights Upcoming Projects

“You’d be surprised how many trails are in the state of Maryland; we’re fast approaching a network of trails,” Steve Carr, former trails coordinator for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, told the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails (FAAT) when he addressed them on October 25, the night of the volunteer organization’s annual meeting.

Those trails Carr described include — among the many statewide — Anne Arundel’s own B&A Trail, the BWI Trail, the WB&A Trail and the Broadneck Trail, all recreational hiking and biking trails promoted and protected by FAAT, an all-volunteer organization with a 20-year history.

This year’s meeting, which featured Carr as its keynote speaker, highlighted several plans for the trail system throughout the state and recognized a group of noteworthy Trailblazers for their dedication.

Mark Garrity, administrator of Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, gave an overview of local trail projects, including the Broadneck Trail, the existing portion of which runs from East College Parkway to Green Holly Drive near Broadneck Library and Broadneck High. The next phase, which will extend from Green Holly Drive to Bay Dale Drive, will begin construction in late spring 2017.

The long-term plan is to expand the trail along College Parkway with a bridge over Ritchie Highway to connect it with the B&A Trail. A phase extending eastward from the existing trail, going from East College Parkway to Bay Head Park, is being studied to see whether a route is possible.

Garrity also reported that the B&A Ranger Station, located on West Earleigh Heights Road, is 30 percent complete. Jack Keene, president of FAAT, said the ranger station is an older building with structural problems and termite damage, and therefore needed renewal, painting and trim.

Keene added that the county is also in the middle of a repaving project expected to be completed as far south as Jumpers Hole Road this year, continuing 2 to 3 miles a year until the entire trail is repaved.

In addition, Keene shared about a new endowment fund to maintain the Hatton Regester Green, a rest stop and garden along the trail at the intersection of Evergreen Road and Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard. He said it was a longtime project of the late Elizabeth Wyble, the longtime president of FAAT. “She put in countless volunteer hours working on the garden in that area,” Keene said.

At the close of the meeting, park ranger Helen Overman presented the annual volunteer Trailblazer Awards. Overman said trailblazers love the trail and love coming out each day to walk and bike. They regularly keep her posted on needs and meet with her to share ideas.

Charles McCollister was awarded Trailblazer of the Year. Overman said McCollister is on the trail almost every day and goes above and beyond what is expected. “He has continued to have a positive and constructive attitude at every Trailblazer meeting and is always looking for ways to help on the trail,” Overman said.

The Engineer Award was presented to Tom Caraker III. Caraker biked 573 hours and 5,282 miles in 2015. Overman said, “He is the epitome of a goodwill ambassador for the Trailblazers.” She said he is the first to volunteer for any trail event, attends every meeting and is seen almost every day on his bicycle in his quest to provide aid and information for many trail visitors. He distributes maps, helps with first aid, changes flat tires, removes debris and is a strong advocate of bike safety.

The Conductor Award went to William Kern. “He is the first to point out how the Trailblazers could improve and promotes those ideas emphatically,” Overman said.

Both Bob Brick and Andy Rickard received the Trailblazer Appreciation Award. “These two gentlemen were chosen for their positive and enthusiastic attitude,” Overman said. “Their love for biking, the trails and being part of the Trailblazers shows in every encounter you have with them. They participate in every event they can and show great dedication to trail etiquette and safety. Not only are these gentlemen avid cyclists, but they are also Special Olympians who ran in the 2016 Torch Run.”

Closing the meeting, Keene said trails provide recreation and beauty, but they’re also becoming great alternatives for transit, and avoiding the congestion of today’s traffic.