Loch Raven Update
A lot of folks have been asking us about the status of trail access Loch Raven, and rather than set up an info booth in the woods, I thought we’d send out this update and start the conversation. As you’ve probably heard, MORE signed a Trail Stewardship Agreement with the City of Baltimore this spring to address mountain bike access to a portion of Loch Raven’s trails in the Pot Spring/Merriman area.
Currently, MORE is working with the City Department of Public Works (DPW) to get all the private property owners along the Pot Spring/Merriman area trail corridor to sign off on allowing public access. Our agreement with the City for this year only covers that section of trail, and this will serve as a proof of concept moving forward as we work with the city to assess the reservoir’s other trails.
Our next steps are to kick start the trail work needed to realign the trail out of wet areas, use our generous grant from REI to buy any tools and materials we need, create maps and signage, formally open the trail from Warren Road to Dulaney Valley Road, and start leading official rides again!
In the meantime, riding is still only allowed on the designated woods roads where posted. I know the trails are calling everyone’s name, but it’s our responsibility to hold up our end of the deal and not poach the singletrack we’re working to open.
We’re working closely with the City and local residents to make this happen, but I’ll admit the process is taking much longer than either MORE or the City would like. In the interim, MORE is working with the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy on several volunteer workdays to address trail sustainability of the reservoir’s woods roads and forests (check out the next event here) and we’re always looking for local volunteers to help with the property owner outreach.
This spring, MORE will be sitting down again with DPW to work out our Trail Stewardship agreement for 2016, and we’re committed to working together to bring the trails at Loch Raven up to the highest standards of sustainability, and encouraging great water quality and great riding for years to come.
Our Loch Raven liaison team, Jim Bole (jimslownsteady (at) gmail (dot) com) and Bob Compton (bcompton27 (at) gmail (dot) com), are great resources for more information and ways to get involved in the process, and stay tuned to www.more-mtb.org for more news.
Thanks for your support,
Ryan Delaney