The Board of County Commissioners on March 2 approved a $100,000 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) grant application to pay for design and engineering of phase 6 of the 3 Notch Trail.

Why it matters: County recreation officials say the grant would fund engineering and design work needed to extend the trail’s northern segment and to complete an 11-mile northern section of the county trail network.

Project details presented: Phil Rollins, representing the Department of Recreation and Parks, told the board that the requested MHAA capital grant of $100,000 would pay for design and engineering of the next segment, described in the staff presentation as a roughly 5-mile stretch from Route 5 near the Wawa to the Newmarket area. Rollins said the county expects to bid construction for a separate 3-mile section from John Baggett Park up to Route 5 this spring with construction planned to begin in summer 2010; the phase 6 design work will allow the county to complete the longer northern corridor.

Funding and sequencing: Rollins said the design and engineering work would rely on a mix of funding including MHAA, Program Open Space, and county matching funds; staff noted matching funds are in the county capital improvement plan. Rollins told commissioners that part of the project cost includes in-kind county services.

Board debate and outcome: Commissioner [name not specified in transcript] said he would not support the motion as presented and urged that the county prioritize linking California to Hollywood and completing the trail between the county’s two designated growth centers. That commissioner said completing the shoulder on Route 245 would better tie Lexington Park and Leonardtown. After discussion, Commissioner [Demetz] moved approval; Commissioner Mattingly seconded. The motion carried with one commissioner voting no (recorded as 4–1 in the meeting record).

Ending: Recreation staff said design would proceed if the grant is approved and that plans for construction of other northern sections are already scheduled in the capital plan and public bidding process.