Prince George’s County Connector Trail

The Prince George’s County Connector Trail, which extends from the District line to the West Hyattsville Metro is a critical component in the regional trail network.  The Connector trail will link up to the future Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington DC and provide non-motorized access from the Anacostia Tributaries trail network to the District of Columbia.  Initially, the land necessary for trail construction was to be obtained through an easement with the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority.  However, it is now our understanding that Shoppers Food Warehouse seeks to acquire the land expand its operations.  If this easement does go through Shoppers Food Warehouse should be required to construct the Connector Trail as well as a new soccer field as proposed by the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Anacostia River Trail

As with the PG Connector, the Anacostia River Trail extension from its current terminus south to the Bladensburg Marina is a small investment that will reap enormous gains.  By extending the Anacostia River Trail south, it will connect directly to the future Anacostia Riverwalk and Trail planned for the District of Columbia.  Design work on the trail extension is on hold as the Maryland State Highway Administration decides on remediation measures in the area.  We encourage Park and Planning to watch this project closely so that any remediation includes the Anacostia River Trail.

Henson Creek Trail Extension

$450,000 in funding for the design and construction of the Henson Creek Trail has already been allocated and trail design is set to begin soon.  This design work must be completed quickly so that an application for federal matching funds can be submitted by March 1, 2007.  It appears that good progress is being made, with a design consultant selected.  We encourage MNCPPC-PG to set fund asides for addition construction of this important trail project and to ensure that design of the trail moves forward quickly so that federal funding sources can be captured.

National Harbor and Woodrow Wilson Bridge

The bicycle and pedestrian crossing on the new bridge has excellent access on the Virginia side, but virtually none on the Maryland side.  Further to the south, a memorandum of understanding is nearly complete between the Parks and Recreation Department and the National Park Service to allow construction of a boardwalk to link the existing segments of the Piscataway Creek Trail.  WABA urges the Council to support this agreement, which will allow environmental studies to begin for this important project, using previously appropriated funds.

Improved Trail and Bikeway Maintenance and Signage

Park and Planning is responsible for an extensive network of trails that offer recreation and non-motorized transportation opportunities to thousands of County residents and visitors each year.  However, maintenance and repair of these facilities has lagged due to inadequate funding and a lack of priority.  We strongly encourage Park and Planning to increase the funding available for trail maintenance and to also ensure that the County’s trails are adequately signed and all gaps are eliminated.

Increase Planning Staff

Finally, due to the sheer number of bike and pedestrian projects either planned or underway, Park and Planning staff is over taxed resulting in project delays.  It is our understanding that funding for additional positions within the department have been approved and we encourage Park and Planning to increase the number of positions dedicated to bike and pedestrian planning at the agency.  Additional staff can review master plans and site plans to ensure that bicycle and pedestrian-friendly developments become the norm in the county.  Additional staff will also be freed to purse the many sources of federal funds available for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

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