Good evening Mr. Chairman and members of the Council. My name is Mark Holt, I am a resident of Fort Washington, and I am speaking today on behalf of the Southern Prince George's Trails Coalition. Our coalition consists of nine civic associations and other groups in Southern Prince George's County. We have joined together to support the expansion and proper maintenance of hiker-biker-equestrian trails in our area. Attached to my statement is a fact sheet that discusses our specific goals in greater detail. 

My primary purpose for appearing before you this evening is to urge the County Council to approve the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's funding request for completing the Henson Creek Trail. The Commission is requesting $240,000 in FY01 and $250,000 in FY02 for the Henson Creek Trail in the Capital Improvement Program.

The residents of Southern Prince George's County have been waiting more than 20 years for funding to complete the Henson Creek Trail -- the only dedicated hiker-biker trail in our area. The existing 5-mile segment of the trail, whose construction began in 1976, runs from the southern end of Oxon Hill Road in Fort Washington to Temple Hill Road. When completed, the trail is to connect the Potomac River neighborhoods of Fort Washington with the planned Suitland Parkway Trail and the Branch Avenue Metro Station.

Completion of the Henson Creek Trail is the number one parkland trail priority of the Prince George's County Bicycle and Trail Advisory Group, which just completed an extensive effort to rank all proposed trail projects in the County. The completed Henson Creek trail will form the backbone of the planned trail system in southern Prince George's. At the northern end, the trail will provide access to Metro and, through the Suitland Parkway Trail, to the rest of the Anacostia trail system and Washington, D.C. At the southern end, it will provide access to the Potomac River, Fort Washington Park, and planned trails farther south.

Local funding for the Henson Creek Trail is vital for receiving federal transportation system enhancement money, which will be needed to help pay for the trail's completion. An application for the federal money is to be submitted next year for FY01, which coincides with the funding requested in the County Capital Improvement Program. That application must be accompanied by detailed design and engineering work, which has yet to be carried out. Our Coalition urges the County Council to ensure that the Park and Planning Commission has sufficient operating funds in fiscal 2000 to conduct design work for the Henson CreekTtrail, so that the application for federal funds can be submitted on time.

This funding will be an excellent start toward completing the planned Southern Prince George's trail system, but it is only a start. We envision a system of trails that will allow safe and enjoyable hiker, biker, and equestrian access to all the scenic parks and public waterfront areas in our region, as well as increased bicycle commuting opportunities. The $490,000 requested in the Capital Improvement Program, plus the anticipated federal funds, will allow completion of the northern segment of the Henson Creek trail, to Suitland Parkway. Further funding will be necessary to connect the southern end of the trail to the Potomac River and all the neighborhoods south of Broad Creek.

I would like to note that today was "Bike to Work Day" all over the Washington area. Bicyclists in southern Prince George's County must overcome severe obstacles to participate, but we did have a small, dedicated contingent that made the commute on South Capitol Street today. We know that many, many more residents of our area would like to bike to work if only there were a dedicated trail system.

Our Coalition also strongly urges the Council's support for the proposed "Trail Renovation Fund" in the Capital Improvement Program. This new fund would repave crumbling trails and repair erosion that is threatening portions of the Henson Creek Trail. Starting with a modest $100,000 in FY2000, the fund would receive an an additional $400,000 through FY03.

Our next trail priority is the planned segment of the Potomac River Heritage Trail between Fort Foote Park and the planned National Harbor Development. Unfortunately, this long-planned trail cannot be built unless the County Council requires the National Harbor developer to allow the trail to enter the property at the southern boundary. Otherwise, the trail would come to a dead end at the property line. Other important components of the Southern Prince George's trail system, as discussed in our fact sheet, include trails along Piscataway Creek, Tinkers Creek, and the Potomac River south of Fort Washington Park.

We hope the County Council will share our enthusiasm for this planned trail system, and I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.