Color trail users happy

New amenity drawing hikers, bikers, painters

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

By SARA POYNOR

Staff writer

Click here to enlarge this photo

Staff photo by EMILY BARNES

Artist Sally Parker of Fort Washington paints near the Bumpy Oak Road crossing of the Indian Head Rail Trail. She is a member of the Mattawoman Creek Art Center.

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On any given day on the Indian Head Rail Trail, cyclists and walkers alike enjoy the sights and sounds of nature on a trail that most feel is tranquil and safe.

As of late September, the entire 13-mile trail from Indian Head to White Plains was open for public enjoyment, said Tom Roland, chief of parks and recreation.

"It's a huge asset for Charles County and our region," Roland said. "We anticipate the Indian Head Rail Trail being one of our most visited parks."

Ray Gamache, a jogger who is training for a marathon, thinks the trail is "the best thing for the community because it forces people to exercise," he said.

On another positive note, he added that he sees a lot of families using the trail and people tend to be respectful.

"The scenery is nice and the length is fantastic," said Brian Behe, a bicyclist a reporter met along the trail one day.

Behe had gotten about nine or 10 miles into it, he said. "I'm still a novice rider."

As for suggestions, "make it longer," Behe said smiling.

The rail trail has a little something for everyone.

Local painters Lynn Mehta, Sally Parker and Barbara Stepura frequent the rail trail for artistic inspiration.

On Friday, the three were spotted on the trail near Bumpy Oak Road plein air painting, or painting outside.

"Southern Maryland is beautiful," Stepura said.

The rail trail provides great scenery and a safe place that's off the road. "It's great for painters," she said.

People often stop, look over their shoulders and want to know what they're doing, Stepura said. "It's so much fun."

Mehta, Parker and Stepura are all members of the Mattawoman Creek Art Center.

Don Porada, a trail volunteer, said, "It's great to have it so close to home, and it's hard to believe it's right in the middle of Charles County."

The volunteer group started a couple of weeks ago.

Public volunteers serve as the "eyes and ears" of the trail and report their findings to the county's parks and recreation department.

"We are working on educating trail users since it's the first rail trail in the area," Roland said.

And according to Charles County Assistant Sheriff Maj. Joseph Montminy, the sheriff's office has trained deputies on bicycle patrol.

Over the entire 13 miles of the trail, there are 12 road crossings. "We are cautioning users to stop at the stop signs on the trail and check traffic on the roadways," Roland said.

"If it becomes an issue, then we will have to take enforcement actions," Montminy said.

"We estimate over 40,000 park visits since it first opened," Roland said, adding that 4.7 miles opened in December 2008 — a two-mile segment in White Plains and a 2.7-mile segment in Indian Head.

The Charles County commissioners will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at the trail head at Theodore Green Boulevard in White Plains, Roland said.

spoynor@somdnews.com

How to help

Volunteers are needed to help monitor the trail and assist trail users. Hours are flexible. Those interested in volunteering should call the Charles County Parks and Recreation Division at 301-932-3470.

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