Though the latest section of Baltimore's Jones Falls Trail opened in the fall, the dedication ceremony didn't happen until late March in hopes of better weather.
Saturday morning's event was billed not only as a celebration of the latest section of the 10-mile Jones Falls Trail, but also as an "opening day" to mark springtime and the best weather for bike riding on trails in Baltimore and beyond.
The new section of trail runs between Cylburn Arboretum and the Woodberry neighborhood and cost $3.1 million.
The newer portion of the trail has unique assets, he said, including views of the Jones Falls and historic mill valley buildings, as well as access to Druid Hill Park and its often-overlooked Grove of Remembrance honoring World War I veterans.
With the newest extension complete, the Jones Falls Trail now runs from Cylburn off Northern Parkway south to the Inner Harbor. Much of the trail consists of dedicated paths away from roadways, though some southern portions are along roads.
The next section will connect from Cylburn north to the Mount Washington light rail stop. That leg will cost $6.6 million, and will tap city, state and federal funds. That section will include a trail bridge over Northern Parkway and two 40-foot-long timber bridges over streams and wetlands.
Boosters hope the Jones Falls Trail can eventually connect with theTorrey C. Brown Trail — also known as the Northern Central Railroad Trail — in Baltimore County, which runs to the Pennsylvania state line.
On the southern side of town, there are hopes of connecting the city's trails with the BWI Trail and the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail in Anne Arundel County.
Great news. If the hoped-for connections are ever made, one could ride from DC to York PA mostly on a trail - that would be amazing!
Posted by: Purple Eagle | April 07, 2015 at 07:36 AM
A real East Coast Greenway in the making.
Posted by: Greenbelt | April 07, 2015 at 10:39 AM
And with the trail from Richmond to Jamestown/Williamsburg almost complete, there's a real need now for one from DC to Richmond.
Posted by: DE | April 07, 2015 at 10:52 AM
I'd love a greenway for touring, but would settle for safe streets and bike lanes for the every day.
Posted by: SJE | April 07, 2015 at 12:07 PM
@SJE "I'd love a greenway for touring, but would settle for safe streets and bike lanes for the every day."
Both are needed, of course. I am often amazed that popular bike trails do not have signage indicating nearby shopping districts. I often see signage indicating nearby bike shops, as if a bike shop is the only place I would visit on a bicycle. My conclusion: people who market to tourists are not as effective as they think they are.
Posted by: Jonathan Krall | April 07, 2015 at 12:42 PM
One issue I have with trails - in particular trails that can be combined into longer routes - is the lack of signage.
I was looking at a turn sheet for JFT and I sure hope they have good signs otherwise I might be lost within a block.
Posted by: jeffb | April 07, 2015 at 02:28 PM