This update on the trail was written by Fred Schaeffer of M-NCPPC and published in the February 2009 edition of Town Crier.

Planning Continues for the Extension of the Trolley Trail

Several segments of the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail have been completed by the City of College Park. Local and area master plans have long called for the extension of this rail-trail project to both the north and the south of College Park. Recently, funding was placed in the M-NCPPC budget to complete a planning and design study for the Riverdale Park and Hyattsville segments of the trail corridor. M-NCPPC has used the money to hire a consultant team headed by Toole Design Group and Sabra, Wang & Associates, Inc. The consultant team has worked closely with M-NCPPC, Riverdale Park, Hyattsville, and Councilman Olsen’s office to develop a Concept Trail Plan and 30% design drawings for the trail corridor.

The concept report and design plans evaluate alternative alignments and layouts for the trail, as well as incorporate trail related amenities and features such as trailheads, lighting, and community access. The Riverdale Park portion of the trail will be within the abandoned trolley right-of-way, while further to the south in Hyattsville the trail will be within the narrow linear open space on the east side of US 1, as indicated on the map below. The trail will serve as an important link in the area’s trail network and provide Riverdale Park residents with access to the larger regional trail network. The southern terminus of the trolley trail will connect to the existing Northwest Branch Stream Valley Trail. To the north, the Riverdale Park segment of the trail will connect into the existing College Park segment of the trail and the Paint Branch Stream Valley Trail.

By adding connectivity to the local trail system, it is also anticipated that the trail will be a viable option for some transportation trips. The trail will provide access to the approved EYA development, the Riverdale Park Town Center, College Park Metro, and several local parks. Although the design is still being finalized, it is hoped that the completion of the 30% design drawings will make the project eligible for federal transportation enhancement funds that can be utilized for trails that serve a transportation function.

Riverdale Park will continue to work with M-NCPPC, the consultants, and other area stakeholders to develop a plan for a first class trail that will enhance the usability of the overall trails network, provide access to area destinations and mass transit, and improve the walkability of local neighborhoods and communities. In addition to providing recreational opportunities, it is anticipated that the trail will also serve as a multi-modal transportation connection for Riverdale Park and surrounding communities. The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation has funding in the FY 2009 Capital Improvement Program to complete the design work and construct initial phases of the trail. Fred Shaffer of the M-NCPPC Planning Department can be reached at 301-952-3661 for additional information on this important project.

Planned Trolley Trail alignment

The trail will improve access to destinations such as the Riverdale MARC and Bladensburg Waterfront Park (above).

Running errands, leaving the car at home!
Dwight Holmes


I am really looking forward to the day when we can get on our bikes, leave the car at home, and pedal down the Trolley Line Hiker-Biker Trail to Franklin's, or the new Busboy's & Poets at EYA... or up the other direction to Smile Herb Shop and Berwyn Café, and even on up (using the Rhode Island Ave bike lane -- imagine, an actual bike lane!) to MOM's and REI... I would also have mentioned heading over from the trail to grab a latté at Starbucks in downtown College Park -- but hopefully by that time you'll be able to get your java fix right here in Town Center!!
I post this here now in conjunction with Rob's announcement that the Hiker-Biker trail project has been added to the docket of the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission. This is great news, indeed!

In case you missed the event back on February 3rd (2007), and haven't seen the video, I've posted the video here (above) of the Riverdale Park Trolley Line Hiker-Biker Trail meeting that took place at S&J's and Town Center. The video includes footage of the actual trolley train that plied this route before it was taken out of action in the 1960s. (the video was taken and posted to YouTube by the Hyattsville H4X guys)

• for more on this the Trolley Line Hiker-Biker Trail, see: http://www.hyattsvilleh4x.com/index.php?post_id=178334&comments=on
  

• also see my Google map which shows the entire route (roughly 3.8 miles from Ch. Armentrout Rd/Northwest Trail (Hyattsville) to the south to Greenbelt Rd. (College Park) to the north): Map of Riverdale Park MD Trolley Hiker-Biker Trail and Cafritz Property
  

This originally appeared as a blog entry at RP Coffeehouse blog 5/31/07.