Originally published June 21, 2000 on the Rose Haven, Maryland web site - used with permission
This past week at the North Beach Town Hall, a Maryland DNR employee, Mark Spencer, at the invitation of North Beach Mayor Mark Frazer, presented a proposed route for a nature trail which would run from North Beach in Calvert County to Rose Haven in Anne Arundel County. According to Mark Frazer, it appears that both counties and the State of Maryland are supportive of the idea of a nature trail (thus the participation of DNR as consultant in its development).
Among those attending the small briefing were citizens from Rose Haven, Holland Point and Burnt Oaks as well as Steuart Chaney, Delegate George Owings and State Senator Mike Miller. (Bruce Wahl from Chesapeake Beach was also in attendance to present, if requested, a similar plan currently under development for a multi-use trail and other recreational and educational facilities along the abandoned right-of-way of the Chesapeake Beach Railway and Fishing Creek.)
Apparently, the development of the North Beach-Rose Haven nature trail has been a collaborative effort over the last year between DNR, MDE, Steuart Chaney and Mayor Frazer, among others, and is being considered as an integral part of a planned nature museum/center to be built on the current site of the North Beach municipal parking lot. The primary route is proposed to be for the most part on Mr. Chaney's land, running from the Herrington Harbor Marina, behind Rose Haven and continuing south along the edge of the marshland all the way to the museum site in North Beach. The current route has been chosen with a view to involving the fewest private landowners (and therefore the fewest easements) and the least intrusion into the wetlands. At this stage of the development process, the primary organizers thought it was time to widen their collaboration to include the local communities, i.e., to see if there was community interest and support. After hearing from those assembled at the meeting that there was interest, it was suggested that meeting participants go back to their communities and tell them about the planned nature trail: find out from them what features they would like incorporated in such a trail or, alternatively, to find out why they would be opposed to such a trail.
The currently proposed route is just a starting point. For instance, there is no access to the trail from Holland Point. If the community desires access, this needs to be addressed. Mike Miller and George Owings are in favor of extending the boardwalk path into the wetlands at various points in order to better observe the environment and educate visitors. Also discussed at the meeting was the composition of the trail itself. DNR was suggesting an asphalt path which all present opposed. Bruce Wahl indicated that his committee which is developing the Fishing Creek trail had decided on a 10' wide boardwalk with 4' railings on either side which would allow multiple use of the path by bicycles, pedestrians and even wheelchairs. With regard to safety, it was suggested that access to the path would not be allowed after dark. Other possible issues to be addressed and for which input is sought from the communities and other interested parties include: security, maintenance and funding sources for the construction of the pathway and for remuneration to Mr. Chaney for the use or sale of his land.
Mayor Frazer also advised meeting participants of a soon to be launched plan by the Corps of Engineers, working with DNR, to revitalize the marsh and ensure the proper tidal flow from the marsh to the Chesapeake Bay at the point of the Calvert County/Anne Arundel county lines. According to the mayor, this plan falls in line with one of the goals of the nature museum/center which is to provide programs whereby the community can be involved in the preservation of the surrounding environment in addition to educational opportunities. As the Corps gradually restores waterways, students seeking community credits could come to the museum and sign up for remedial projects such as planting marsh grasses, building bird houses and monitoring the return of marsh life.
(This article was written by Melinda Zimmerman (mzimmerm@skadden.com) of Holland Point for presentation at the Holland Point Civic Association.)
Do you have an opinion about this proposed trail? If so, e-mail trail@rosehavenmaryland.com and we will forward it to Mayor Frazer, et al.
Posted: 9-1-2000
