January, 2012
Catonsville Rails To Trails Newsletter
New Year's Day Hike of the Short Line
January 1, 2012 Hike Will Showcase Progress!
Quick Links

Volunteers enjoy lunch thanks to Ledo Pizza and George Brookhart of Maryland Residential Realty
Ledo Pizza located at Wilkens Beltway Plaza and George Brookhart of Maryland Residential Realty teamed up to feed the volunteers!

 

Ledo Pizza 

Visit Maryland Residential Realty

Chipper

Thanks to

ABC Rental and

7-Eleven Catonsville for helping CRTT with trail development 

since 1996.



Thanks to Val and Angelos Androutsopoulos of Vangel Paper, Inc.for providing wooden pallets for a temporary walkway on the Short Line Trail. 

Chris Podowski of Link Contracting operates a bobcat
 

Special thanks to

three outstanding volunteers!

Chris Podowski of Link Contracting, LLC for bringing the Bobcat tractor and lending his many talents to the volunteers and organizers of the Short Line CleanUp

and

Sheldon Smith, a resident of Patapsco Woods, who singlehandly cleared 1/8th of the Short Line trail by himself.  His actions prove that one person can make a huge difference in their community

and

Kit Valentine who has been creating trails since he was an Eagle Scout 54 years ago.  Kit is always there when we need him!  He is awesome! 

 

 

Mount Ridge Apts.
Thanks to Mount Ridge Apartments for donating funds for the fall cleanup day!

Greetings!

   

Begin your New Year with a 2 mile hike on the Short Line Railroad Trail.  Catonsville Rails To Trails (CRTT) is hosting this hike on January 1, 2012 since we frequently hear "Where is the Short Line Railroad trail?".              
   Tour guides will share the history of the Short Line Railroad (1884-1972) and will discuss plans to restore this old railroad route into a 2.2 mile bike/hike trail. 
   
     Tours will begin at 10 a.m. at Maiden Choice Lane and Garden Ridge Road. Parking is available at  Western School of Technology and Environmental Science.  All ages are welcome.  We will offer two tour groups; one for those looking to walk quickly for a work-out and one for those who prefer a slower pace. Kids, dogs, seniors, recreational enthusiast and those who are just curious are encouraged to come! 

     Most of the surface is level and easy to walk/ride on.  Wear shoes or boots that you don't mind getting dirty.  The hike is FREE but donations and memberships are strongly encouraged! 

End of Year Appeal

Donations and Memberships

Needed To Build New Trails in 2012 

 

 

Are you considering making an end of year donation to a great

501(c)3 organization?  Then make it to Catonsville Rails To Trails.  We are a grassroots effort run by an all volunteer staff.  All of your donation goes directly to building trails .  Join CRTT today

Volunteer Groups Are Always Needed!

 

 Catonsville Alternative        Volunteers from the Catonsville Alternative School (CAS) have been clearing the drainage ditches along the Short Line Trail as part of the Baltimore County student service learning hours program.  Fallen trees, limbs and yard waste were clogging drains and flooding several areas along the trail.   These ambitious teens used muscle and teamwork to get the job done.  Special thanks to CAS teacher, Shawn Krause for coordinating these great cleanups.            

The CAS teens were excited when they accidentally dug up a baby turtle.  After a quick viewing and a teachable moment, the turtle was quickly returned to its winter home in the mud.

 

For more information on group volunteer opportunities, send an inquiry to sweeneysmith@comcast.net.

Thanks to McHale Landscape Design for donating their time and talent towards this concept drawing of the east side of the trail at Garden Ridge Avenue and Maiden Choice Lane.  CRTT will be soliciting input from neighborhood groups and individuals this spring, so expect some changes to this design.  Thanks to Hans Bleinberger, a Holmehurst Avenue resident, for coordinating this effort.  Hans designed the entrances to the #8 Streetcar Path in west Catonsville.  CRTT does not have a completion date for this portion of the project due to balancing other priorities. 
Thanks so much for your past support and for helping us to build the Catonsville trail system.  We are proud to lead this volunteer effort to promote bike and pedestrian-friendly initiatives.  With your financial support we can make real progress in 2012!  
Sincerely,
 


Tom Ajluni, President

Catonsville Rails To Trails