CUMBERLAND — Passionate advocates for walking, hiking and biking traded ideas, concerns and discussed the future in a wide-ranging discussion during a Thursday afternoon open house dedicated to the Allegany County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
“I see Allegany County as a destination for families, with something everyone can do,” said Jim Christie, a planner with Thrasher engineering, who is heading up plan development with Siera Wigfield, a county planner. “We want everyone to get excited about thew project,” Christie said. And everyone in the room seemed to be excited as comments and questions went back and forth between members of the audience, Christie and Wigfield.
Topics ranged from the crossing at Depot and Main streets in Frostburg to the larger questions of funding and organization.
“In Frostburg, one issue is getting people from Depot Street across to Main Street. You can’t do it,” said Maureen Brewer. The intersection is very busy and several fast food restaurants are in the area. Brewer is a member of Frostburg First and Mountain Maryland Trails.
“I love the trail recreationally, I just wish it was more utilitarian,” said Dawn Hartlaub.
Doug “Hutch” Hutchins discussed the need for some driver education on bicyclists and keeping them safe. He also asked about funding and government support. Hutchins owns Cumberland Trail Connections and is a board member of Mountain Maryland Trails. Hutchins suggested a partnership between police, county officials and the newspaper to promote bicycle safety, especially around busy crossings.
Sometimes, government has impeded trail development and access.
“There are always excuses ... these things can be overcome,” Hutchins said.
“I don’t think most people have a clue (about the rules for drivers encountering pedestrians and bicyclists),” said Nancy Forlifer of the Western Maryland Health System.
Funding is not part of the plan and will ultimately depend on government and interested organizations. Having a plan, though, will provide a good start toward obtaining the funds, said Christie.
Mayor Butch Armentrout of Carpendale, W.Va., said grant money is still out there but that most of it required a match. For small municipalities, that can be a challenge, he said. Armentrout said he wishes more people knew about the Carpendale Tunnel, which links his town with the C&O Canal towpath.
Helping folks find their way to trailheads was another topic of discussion. Hutchins said distributing directions electronically and then asking business partners throughout the area to post the information on their websites might help.
“I think Frostburg is a very livable place,” said Karen Krogh of Frostburg. She said allowing people to walk or bike throughout the town would add to that livability. In the future, people may not be able to drive as much because of the oil supply. Cities need to plan for that future by increasing their walkability, Krogh said.
About 20 people showed up for the meeting, which was also attended by several county staffers at the county office complex on Kelly Road. Christie said the plan isn’t just about the major trails but every type of pedestrian and bike path in the countryside or in towns, including small walking paths and high school tracks where people walk or run for exercise.
“Neighborhoods to schools, neighborhoods to shopping areas,” was another aim of the plan, Christie said.
The eastern end of the county holds great potential for trail development, Christie said.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people, we talk about Cumberland and Frostburg, not about the eastern part of the county. It’s a huge opportunity,” Christie said.
The master plan aims to connect bikers, pedestrians and local transportation systems into a vital network of trail connections throughout Allegany County. An integrated plan could make more recreational opportunities available for residents and tourists, Wigfield said.
Wigfield can be contacted at siera.wigfield@allconet.org and Christie at jchristie @thrashereng.com.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.
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