Towson Area Trails Receive Grants for Improvements

Two Towson area trail improvement projects received funding from the Maryland State Highway Administration through the agency's Recreational Trails Program.

The West Towson trail, a quarter-mile path primarly used by walkers located between Allegheny and Chesapeake avenues behind the Towson Family Center Y, will receive $30,000 to repair damage caused by erosion and other small improvements, Councilman David Marks said.

Marks and County Executive Kevin Kamenetz applied for the grant in May. The District 5 councilman said the funds would likely be used to distribute additional wood chips on the trail and create signage.

Marks said he pursued the grants after residents complained about the state of the trail, although other residents have expressed concern about the increased foot traffic the improvements would bring. He said his office would reach out to the West Towson Neighborhood Association to resolve the issues.

"In this time of very limited resources, it's important to take advantage of these small pots of money," he said.

The trail was added to the Eastern Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan in June.

Additionally, which straddles Towson and Parkville, will receive a combined $30,000 to repair its Blue and White trails, according to a state highway administration news release.

The Blue Trail is 1.2 miles one way and the White trail is 0.2 miles one way, according to the Cromwell Valley website. The two trails are connected.

The state agency awarded more than $1 million in funding for 41 trail projects across the state, the release states. Each project received grants valued between $5,000 to $64,000.