organize volunteer trail work days, they provide extraordinary value to County residents.
Private Organizations, Public Generosity
In addition to the bounty of trails in public parks and greenways, multiple private organizations also step up to create, maintain, or promote trails and share them with the public.
Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts( MORE) harnesses 17,000 volunteer hours annually to maintain 925 miles of trails in 63 parks throughout Maryland, Virginia, and DC. In Montgomery County, one of MORE’ s first projects was the creation of the Schaeffer Farm hub initiated in 1994, stretching across both State and County Parks land( Seneca Creek State Park and Hoyles Mill Conservation Park). With four loops that form a nexus connecting to ten other trail systems, the total network offers a 60-mile, all day adventure, completely within the County.
Park signs provide safety and trail etiquette information, along with trail maps.
Serene trails at Palyul Peace Park invite hikers to de-stress.
Casey Anderson, President owned by the nonprofit Stronghold, Inc. created in 1946 on 3300 of MORE and former Chair of the Montgomery County Planning acres of land donated by Gordon Board, points out that Montgomery County is one of the few Ag Reserve. At least six different
Strong at the northern tip of the
jurisdictions in the country that marked trails provide more than planned parks and trails as a local 16 miles of hiking, for more than asset, not a tourism asset. He says, 250,000 visitors per year. The highest point in the County, the summit
“ Top-notch recreation opportunities are critical to attracting is 800 feet above the farmland today’ s work force. Great parks below, offering panoramic views. and trails make the County a place Another example of generosity by a private nonprofit, the where people want to live, not just visit.” He says“ Montgomery Palyul Peace Park at the Buddhist County is now investing in well Temple on River Road near Poolesville shares with the public three designed, sustainable trails that prevent soil erosion and protect streams.” MORE works gently rolling, wooded 65 acres.
well-maintained trail loops on its
together with County The trails are maintained by the Parks’ professional trail nuns, monks, and laypeople of the staff to ensure the trails temple, joined by more than 50 are safe and well maintained. Fairfax County troops and students earning SSL
volunteers, often including scout and Prince George’ s hours. Trails lead to stupas, sacred
County are now copying Montgomery County’ s flags flutter along the edges of
Buddhist monuments, and prayer
model of employing dedicated trails to inspire visitors to be mindful and meditative as they walk. professional trail designers and builders.
Bridges cross rippling streams, and Some local trails are on private smooth marble benches offer a land, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, place to rest. Maura Daly, a vol-
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