The Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services have invited the public to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Phase One of the Three Notch Trail. The Ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., near the entrance of the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home on Charlotte Hall Road in Charlotte Hall.
"Development of the County's railroad right-of-way into a hiking, biking and equestrian trail will provide numerous recreational, tourism and transportation opportunities, said Thomas F. McKay, President, Board of County Commissioners. The trail will also help promote the health and wellness benefits of walking, biking and rollerblading."
The first phase of the trail to officially open begins at Route 236 in New Market and proceeds approximately one mile north to the Northern County Senior Center in Charlotte Hall. This area of the trail will provide a connection between the Southern Maryland Regional Library, the St. Mary's County Farmers' Market, the new St. Mary's County Welcome Center, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and the Northern Senior Center and link the villages of New Market and Charlotte Hall.
Future phases of the trail are planned as follows:
* Phase two: This two-mile section, from the Northern Senior Center north to Deborah Drive, just beyond the County line, is expected to be under construction later this summer or early fall.
* Phase three: This two-mile section, from Wildewood to Wal-Mart, is expected to be completed in 2008.
* Phase four: Design and engineering for the approximately three miles from Wal-Mart to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station main gate is scheduled in FY07; construction is expected to be completed in FY08.
* Design and construction of additional phases, from Wildewood north to New Market, is planned for FY08 through FY14 as funding permits.
For more information, you can contact the Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1811.