My name is Mark Holt, and I am a member of the Piscataway Hills Citizens Association and coordinator of the Southern Prince George=s Trails Coalition. This coalition of civic associations has been formed to support the expansion and maintenance of the dedicated hiker-biker trail system in our region. Members of the Trails Coalition are the Piscataway Hills Citizens Association, the South Lawn Citizens Association, the River Bend Estates Homeowners Association, and the South Potomac Citizens Association. Several fundamental concerns have motivated us to establish this coalition:

1. Southern Prince George=s is far behind the northern half of the county in the development of dedicated hiker-biker-equestrian trails. The northern region has an extensive, interconnected trails network, totaling nearly 25 miles, that also connects to the larger D.C. area trails system. Southern Prince George=s has only a 5-mile segment of the Henson Creek trail C a segment that has poor bicycle access at each end and does not connect to other trails. We are impressed by the success that has been achieved in northern Prince George=s C through much hard work C and we are convinced that we can do the same for our area.

2. Additional Federal funding is becoming available through the new "TEA-21" transportation act to pay for dedicated trails, for both commuting and recreation. The Trails Coalition is concerned that a fair share of this funding be directed toward our planned regional trail system.

3. The lack of dedicated trails, and the isolation of Southern Prince George's County neighborhoods from the Washington area trails system, restricts recreational opportunities for area residents. This is a particular problem for families with young children who want to bicycle together. The lack of bike trails may make our area less desirable for potential homebuyers in relation to other areas with extensive trail networks.

4. Southern Prince George=s County has many unique recreational and scenic assets, particularly its long Potomac waterfront, that could be greatly enhanced by public trail access. A regional trail system could provide links to such attractions as Fort Washington Park, Fort Foot Park, Piscataway National Park, and Oxon Hill Farm.

5. With the growth of the Washington area trail system, commuting by bicycle has become increasingly popular. Several of my colleagues at the Library of Congress, for example, routinely bicycle to work from Virginia and other Maryland suburbs. Expansion of the trail system in Southern Prince George=s County would make bicycle commuting a feasible option from our area, either to downtown D.C. or to the Branch Avenue Metro stop now under construction.
 

 
1. Complete the two-mile northern segment of the Henson Creek trail between Temple Hill Rd. and Suitland Parkway. This would connect the trail with the Branch Avenue Metro Station and with the Suitland Parkway trail, providing a link to the D.C. area trail system. Planning and rights-of-way acquisition still must be completed.

2. Build the planned Potomac River/Heritage Trail segment between Fort Foote and National Harbor. Rights of way are already in place for this shoreline route of about a mile. This segment would link to trails in Fort Foote Park and bike routes in the National Harbor development.

3. Extend the southern end of the Henson Creek trail about one mile to Harmony Hall Regional Center. This would link to planned bicycle shoulders on Fort Washington Road, providing access to Fort Washington Park and to planned Piscataway National Park trails.

In addition, we strongly urge the Park and Planning Commission to closely monitor the progress of a new Henson Creek trail segment at Brinkley Road that is to be constructed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro). Metro is building this segment under a wetlands mitigation agreement with the Park and Planning Commission. We ask that the Park and Planning Commission make clear that fulfillment of this agreement is a high priority.

The existing Henson Creek trail segment is very scenic, well-maintained, and regularly used by many area residents, despite its lack of linkages and relatively poor access. Completion of the trail would greatly increase the attractiveness of the existing trail segment, which is a major recreational asset for the area.

We recognize that construction of new hiker-biker trails is expensive. At an average cost of about $100,000 per mile, the priority segments we have identified would cost about $400,000 to build, plus planning and acquisition costs. But if the example of the Northern Prince George=s trail system is followed, Federal funding can offset much of the construction costs if sufficient local matching funds are provided. Therefore, it is vital that planning and matching funds be included in the Park and Planning Commission budget for the next fiscal year to allow these long-planned projects to take advantage of available Federal funds.

Thank you for the opportunity to present this statement. I would also like to thank the helpful Park and Planning Commission staff who have answered the many questions we have had on this issue. The Southern Prince George=s Trail Coalition looks forward to working with you in expanding and improving our hiker-biker trail system.