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Officials outline 3 Notch Trail progress, federal funding and easement challenges
Summary
Staff reviewed completed trail segments, a three-mile construction section planned with federal funds, and potential easement negotiations with 6–10 property owners for future links.
County staff provided an update on the 3 Notch Trail project, describing completed private- and publicly-built sections, an upcoming three-mile construction package supported in part by federal transportation funds, and remaining right-of-way and easement challenges.
Phil (Recreation and Parks staff) reviewed the trail’s phasing and key milestones. He said phases 1 and 2 (about three miles near New Market and Charlotte Hall) are complete, and several private developments built segments in the California–Lexington Park area. Phase 4a, constructed with county funds, is complete from Walmart to Chancellor’s Run Road.
Phase 5: Phil said the next major section is about three miles—from John Baggett Park in Laurel Grove to Route 5 near the Wawa—and the department hopes to get State Highway Administration approval on plans in January and be out to bid this winter. "This section of the trail involved almost $800,000 in federal transportation funds. It's about half of the cost of this section of the trail," Phil said. He said construction could start in spring and take roughly a year, with the goal of opening the section by fall 2011 (as stated in the presentation schedule).
Right-of-way and easements: Staff said substantial work remains between Wildwood and Laurel Grove, where parts of the trail would use a relocated right-of-way or utility corridors. Phil said SMECO (the electric cooperative) has shown conceptual support to use an alternate right-of-way, but SMECO does not hold fee title to all parcels and some use easements across private properties; the county would need to negotiate easements with roughly 6–10 property owners to complete those connections.
Funding and timeline uncertainty: Phil warned that fiscal conditions have slowed private development that would have completed some privately funded segments; he said some future construction is contingent on development timelines, county capital funding and grant awards. Staff said they are requesting design funding in next year’s budget and hope for construction funding in a future fiscal year, but stressed timelines are subject to the county’s capital-budget process and state and federal approvals.
Access and amenities: John Baggett Park was identified as a primary trailhead. Until additional trail segments are completed, existing facilities such as the Charlotte Hall Library, visitor center and Northern Senior Center will serve as parking and restroom locations for users.
What’s next: Staff will pursue approvals with the State Highway Administration, coordinate with SMECO and property owners on easements, and pursue federal and program open-space grants to assemble construction funding.
