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May 14,1999 NEW COALITION MEMBERS. The Southern Prince George's Trails Coalition welcomes two new member associations, both of which voted to join yesterday evening (May 13). Thanks to Jim Hudnall for giving a presentation last night to the Tantallon South Civic Association, which voted unanimously to join the Coalition. Henry McRuffin Jr. volunteered to serve as the TSCA liaison. Also voting last night to join the Coalition was the Tantallon Square Area Civic Association, with Frank Harris as liaison. Thanks to Fred Shaffer for giving a presentation about trails to the group last month. We now have 11 civic associations and other groups in the Coalition. BRINKLEY ROAD CONNECTION. As indicated in our Fact Sheet, work did (sort of) begin on the long-awaited Henson Creek Trail relocation at Brinkley Road. The project, being carried out by Metro pursuant to an agreement with M-NCPPC, will relocate the main trail to the south of the driving range on Brinkley Road to provide a direct connection with the existing trail segment between Brinkley Road and Temple Hill Road. Unfortunately, when the contractors showed up for work, they evidently parked in the wrong place and blocked access to the driving range, resulting in legal action that is now holding up the project. Tom O'Connor of Metro expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved fairly soon so that work could begin in earnest. Completion is planned for the end of the year. BTAG MEETING. At the Bicycle & Trail Advisory Group meeting on April 23, we had an interesting discussion with Don Briggs of the National Park Service about the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The federally recognized trail currently runs upstream from Washington, D.C., and includes some nearby segments in Virginia. Maryland planners have anticipated an extension of the trail from D.C. to St. Mary's along the Maryland bank of the Potomac, but the National Park Service apparently does not currently have an official plan for such a trail. We decided at the meeting that we should identify all the feasible segments of the Potomac Heritage Trail between D.C. and St. Mary's and work with Don to get those segments into National Park Service planning maps. With that endorsement in hand, we could then pursue funding for the project. D.C. LOOP RIDE. The "Great Washington Bicycle Loop Ride V" will take place Satuday, May 15. The 31-mile loop follows the Capital Crescent Trail, the Sligo Creek Trail, and the planned Metropolitan Branch Trail. Groups will start riding from Washington Harbor in Georgetown at 8 a.m., from Mount Rainier at Bunker Hill Road and 34th Street at 10:30 a.m., and from 9th and Monroe Streets NE at 11 a.m. Our goal is to connect those trails to new trails in our area so that we can bike to the loop ride and even sponsor our own! GROUNDBREAKING FOR WB&A TRAIL. Groundbreaking for a hiker-biker-equestrian trail along the right of way of the old Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis Railroad is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at the Glenn Dale Community Center. This will be a major new trail in Prince George's County. If all goes according to plan, we will have our own groundbreaking for the completion of the Henson Creek Trail by 2001. May 14, 1999
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