April, 2012
Catonsville Rails To Trails Newsletter
Planning Board Hearing for West County Bike Plan set for this
Thursday, April 5.  CRTT Needs Your Support in Towson
Urgent Plea to Show Your Support of Western County Bike Plan
Quick Links

Cardin-Cochran Amendment
 ment 

  

    Many thanks to
for providing CRTT with a truckload of recycled concrete for a project on the trail. 
 

Catonsville Women's Circle of GivingCWCG logo

Many thanks to the 

Catonsville Women's Circle of Giving

 for providing funds to clear the entrance areas along Maiden Choice Ln.

 
ABC Rental
Rick and Andrew Smith feed chipper
We are proud of our partnership with
on Geipe Rd. 
The great folks at ABC have given thousand of dollars for in-kind rentals.  Please support them the next time you need to rent equipment.
 
 
 
 

Bike To Work Day

is Friday, May 18, 2012. CRTT is trying to organize a Catonsville group.  Contact CRTT if you can help us out.  Watch for details!

 

Bike riders on trail  

 

Dear (Contact First Name),

     The West County Bike Plan (WCBP) has been presented to the Baltimore County Planning Board for approval as an amendment to the County's master plan. The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 104, Jefferson Building, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson 21204. If approved by the Planning Board, the plan will be submitted to the Baltimore County Council for adoption.

     CRTT needs your support!  We need to send a clear message to County officials that safe bike and pedestrian routes are important to Catonsville residents and need to be part of all future plans.

     What can you do to help?  Plan to attend Thursday's Planning Board Hearing.  We know this is not the most convenient time of day to get to Towson but having a large group of supporters will send an important message to decision-makers.

     If you can't attend, send an e-mail to Barbara Weaver before Thursday.  Let her know that you support the Western County Bike Plan and would like to see bikes lanes and more walkable neighborhoods in Baltimore County.  

     CRTT needs your financial support.  Please consider becoming a member.  Not sure if you paid your membership?  Check out our list of donors for 2012.   If you are not a member, consider joining and receive a coffee mug and $10 Atwater's Gift Card. 

 

Mug incentive

   There are only 9 incentive mugs/cards remaining, so join today and support CRTT. 

  

 

Tom Ajluni

President of CRTT    

UMBC Students Spend Spring Break on the Short Line Trail

 

UMBC ASB Clean Up Day
UMBC's Alternative Spring Break volunteers pose for a picture before unloading a truckload of debris.  Doug Stull (right hand side, top) coordinated the event with CRTT.  

 

      On the first day of Spring, a group of energetic UMBC students descended on the Short Line Trail as part of an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program.  Instead of leaving town for their week off, these students volunteered in a variety of environmental and charity activities in the local community.  

     Most of the student volunteers assisted with removing 4.1 tons of debris from the trail and placing it in a rented dumpster.  Other students raked out mulch piles, fed a wood chipper or hauled pieces of concrete for recycling. 

 

 
Jack MacDonnell and Tom Bagg
Decked out in rain gear, Jack MacDonnell and Tom Bagg discuss the impending bike ride on March 24, 2012 

Rain Dampens Spring Bike Ride Attendance

But Not Spirit 
 

 

The morning of March 24 started with a clap of thunder and a light rain causing many potential bike riders to assume that the CRTT Spring Bike Ride to Dickeyville had been canceled.  By 10 a.m. the rain had stopped and ten hearty bike riders took off from Atwater's Bakery.

 

While attendance was down, membership was up with 7 new members joining CRTT.  Thanks to George Brookhart of Maryland Residential Realty who provided a membership incentives - a travel coffee mugs and a $10 Atwater Gift Cards to all who joined at the race.  There are still 9 membership incentives left so join on-line today.

 

Our bike ride expert, Charlie Murphy, is considering dates for the next ride and is considering a "do-over" of the ride to Dickeyville.  CRTT will keep you posted. 

 
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