Hey, Patch! Where can we find maps of the trails in Bowie? I get lost on some of them! CM

http://www.cityofbowie.org/Parks/pdfs/trailsmasterplan11x17(II).pdf

Not ideal, because the dotted ones are only proposed, although I believe a few of those have been built since the map was made in 2002.

Thanks, Jon! Actually, I would even like to see more sidewalks ... though it appears there is no room for them on my street. But the sidewalks we already have could certainly be better connected. I could walk safely (except on my own street) to Allen Pond Park, if only the sidewalk on Mt. Oak Rd. went all the way to Nottinghill! That appears to be "proposed" ... guess I will just have to wait! However, even if that extension is made, crossing Nottinghill to get to its sidewalk will be tricky, with so many turns being made in that intersection. Looks as if nothing is easy! :o)

I wish there were some way to lobby effectively for sidewalk/trail/sidepath extension. At the eastern end of Old Chapel, the sidewalk ends about 0.2 miles before the road. Then, there is no sidewalk on Race Track. Another 0.2 miles of sidewalk (or even better, sidepath) would connect to Saddlebrook West. In addition to connecting that neighborhood to the rest of Bowie, it would allow those of us in the "W" section access to the WB&A Trail w/o taking our lives in our hands. (Or, if Saddlebrook West doesn't want people cutting through, run the sidepath for an entire mile up to the Racetrack intersection with the WB&A.) I think some of these things could happen as a result of some of the proposed Bowie State improvements, but I wish Bowie had a trail advocacy group. (Or a bike one, though I might also want to use the trails and sidepaths with a stroller.)

The links below should offer you some information on local trails as well as how you can establish your own cycling group to take part in the many trails around the area. Check out the handbook that lists a variety of scenic interests and tips for starting your own group.
http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Trails/Resources.html
http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Planning/Trails/Documents/pdfs/Trail%20Town%20Guidebook.pdf
http://www.discoverytrail.org/states/maryland/

Jon, I live in the "W" section as well. I'll ride the short stretch on 197 from Rustic Hill Road to the WB&A trail, but I won't take my kids that way. We'll throw the bikes on a bike rack to go to the WB&A, which is unfortunate. I've often thought that it would be nice to have a path linking the "R" section to Saddlebrook West or even a path linking Rustic Hill Road directly to the WB&A, although that terrain might require a bridge. It might even be easier if the path went from the Montessori school to the WB&A, but that's on private property. The City of Bowie did acquire 12.8 acres of land between Rustic Hill Road and the WB&A a couple of years ago to preserve the green space. I haven't heard if there are any plans for that land.

Bowie Mike, it seems like you have a lot of experience with the numerous trails in Bowie. Maybe you’d be interested in connecting with the City of Bowie Community Recreation Committee to offer your suggestions? It is only through input from actual users of community resources that policy and program managers will know what works best for residents. Just a thought.

Community Recreation Committee
Mission
The CRC advises the City Council on all recreation matters and works for the continued cooperation among and improvement of all public recreational facilities in the City of Bowie.
Description of Duties
Provide the City Council with advice on all matters relating to recreation.
Act as liaison and advisors to the City Council regarding Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) activities including the Bowie Community Center, the South Bowie Community Center and the Huntington Community Center.
Prepare and update the Bowie Recreation Master Plan.
Provide input for the annual City budget on recreation matters.
Conduct the allocation of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities within the City including facilities owned by the City of Bowie, the Board of Education and M-NCPPC.
http://www.cityofbowie.org/Committees/community_recreation.asp

Charlotte, those are some very good points and something that the Community Recreation Committee should take up when they next meet. In the City of Laurel there has been major construction throughout the community to make sidewalks more accessible for all citizens. There have been new pedestrian signals and ramps with tactile warnings to alert blind and SmartPhone preoccupied pedestrians approaching the edge of a sidewalk or street. These new crossings also help with traffic management and flow which are conducive to greater pedestrian safety.

On overlooked park is Tanglewood Park off Zugg Rd in Old Bowie. It looks forbidding because of the concrete barriers at the entrance. But that's to keep people from driving in and dumping old refrigerators and the like. It's a lovely hike back there, but quite lonely. Awesome with the leaves. I wrote an article on it once in the Blade.

It is great that there are so many trials and recreational outlets in Bowie from which to choose. It is especially nice that these attractions are free and the majority are accessible to wheelchair users and offer audible and olfactory stimulation for individuals with sight loss.

About Tanglewood Park, just park on the side of the road. It feels weird to do so, but there's almost zero traffic on Zugg. Also there's a parkeing area a couple of blocks back off Chestnut (I think). Tanglewood is lovely this time of year.

With warmer weather expected this week, there will be plenty of opportunity to get out and view some of the trails now. My hope is to see what the view is like when fresh snow is covering the terrain. Bowie has so much to offer and far too often it goes underused and even unused.