- Baltimore & Annapolis Trail
The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail is a convert|13.3|mi|adj=on
rail trail in Anne Arundel County,Maryland . The trail starts at Boulter's Way in Arnold.cite web
url = http://www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/b&a_trail.html
title = Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park
date =
accessdate=2006-11-07
] and ends nearBaltimore Light Rail 's Cromwell Station in Glen Burnie. Starting near Annapolis, the trail passes through Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Pasadena, andGlen Burnie . The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail follows the route of theBaltimore & Annapolis Railroad from which it derives its name. The trail opened in1990 as the second "rail trail " in the state. [cite web
url = http://www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/bicyclists/oppe/Trails/Bicyclists5.asp
title = Maryland State Highway Administration Bicycle Trails Guide
date =
accessdate=2006-11-07
]In June 1996, the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail became part of the
East Coast Greenway - fromCalais, Maine toKey West, Florida .cite web
url = http://www.friendsofaatrails.org/maps.htm
title = Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park
year = 2001
accessdate=2006-11-07
] The trail is part of theAmerican Discovery Trail - a trail from theAtlantic coast ofDelaware toSan Francisco ,California .Trail Description
This rail line through the
suburb an region between Annapolis and Baltimore is now a paved linearpark that encompasses 112 acres.cite journal | title= The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, Maryland|url = http://www.railtrails.org/newsandpubs/trailofthemonth/archives/0605.html| journal=Rails to Trails | month= May | year= 2006| publisher=The Rails to Trails Conservancy| author=| accessdate=2006-11-06| ] Theasphalt trail winds through parks, neighborhoods and natural wooded areas providing scenic views oftrees ,streams and many historical points. Two of the major stops on the trail are Severna Park, at mile 4.8 andGlen Burnie , at mile 12.7. The trail also goes by the Marley Station Mall and the Ranger Station.Along the trail are
historical marker s labeled from A to Z. The A marker is near the Annapolis end of the trail at the Winchester Station House, mile 0.1. Marker Z at mile 13.3, is for the Sawmill Branch which was a source of water and power for residents in the earlyeighteenth century . The historic markers illustrate the many communities therailroad was able to help develop between Baltimore and Annapolis and the individual achievements of people within these communities. The trail also hasswitch box es, and sections of track lining parts of the trail.The trail is lined with flowerbeds and
kiosk s and includes a Planet Walk sponsored byNASA . The Planet Walk is a linear museum with educational displays for eachplanet and thesun .The trail ends in the north at Glen Burnie where it connects to the BWI Trail Loop, a convert|12.5|mi|adj=on loop around the
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport .History of the Railroad
The trail derives its name from the last name the railroad line used before ceasing operations. The railroad started as the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line on
March 9 ,1887 , though it was more commonly known as the Annapolis Short Line. In 1921 it became the North Shore line of theWashington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad and in 1935 it began its finally incarnation as the B&A. [cite web| author=Herbert H. Harwood Jr. |url=http://www.mdoe.org/wash_balt_annap_rr.html| title=Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railroad| date=2004-2005| accessdate=2006-10-13| ] The railroad ended passenger service in 1952 and freight service in 1968. The property deteriorated and became an eyesore. Public interest in a linear park began in the mid-1970s and in 1979 Anne Arundel County purchased the 66 foot wide corridor for the purpose of creating a rail trail and park. The WB&A's main line right of way also serves as a rail trail, theWashington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail .References
External links
* [http://www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/b&a_trail.html Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park]
* [http://bikewashington.org/trails/ba/ba.htm Baltimore & Annapolis Trail]
* [http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/Parks/aacotrails_park/bandamap.cfm Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park Map]
* [http://www.friendsofaatrails.org/maps.htm Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails]
* [http://www.annapolisstriders.org/B&AInfo.htm B&A Marathon Information]
* [http://railstotrails.us/md_baltimore_annapolis_trail.htm B&A Trail page at RailsToTrails.us]
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