Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan 2014-2018
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Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan 2014-2018 Dear Citizens: Our land is the foundation of our economic and social prosperity, rich in productive forests and farms, vital wildlife habitat, opportunities for recreation and tourism, culture and history. As our State grows and changes, it is important to continually evaluate our mission and investments for the benefit of Maryland and its citizens. As champion of public land conservation and outdoor recreation, DNR is pleased to present the Land Preservation and Recreation Plan for 2014-2018 — a comprehensive, statewide plan that will guide our efforts to conserve open space and enhance outdoor resources on State lands for the next five years. Outlining clear goals and measurable action items, the Plan will enhance coordination among local, County and State planners; promote the benefits of outdoor recreation and natural resources; improve access to land and water-based recreation for every Marylander; and connect public trails and lands to the places where people work, live and play. This Plan was developed in cooperation with State, County and local officials, stakeholders and citizens in accordance with the U.S. Department of Interior, Land and Water Conservation Fund guidelines. By helping direct preservation to priority lands and fostering a greater connection to the outdoors, it supports the benefits of health and recreation, economic vitality and environmental sustainability for all citizens. Sincerely, Martin O’Malley Joseph P. Gill Governor Secretary THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan 2014-2018 “Connecting People & Places” Honorable Martin J. O’Malley, Governor State of Maryland Joseph P. Gill, Secretary Maryland Department of Natural Resources John F. Wilson, Associate Director for Stewardship Land Acquisition and Planning Prepared By: Maryland Department of Natural Resources 580 Taylor Avenue ‐ Annapolis, MD 21401 Printed on Recycled Paper Land Preservation and Recreation Plan – Recreation Component Page | i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan was coordinated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR is responsible for administering the Program Open Space (POS) and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) programs in Maryland. Special recognition is given to the Technical Advisory and Trails Committees for their valuable advice and guidance provided throughout the course of the project. Technical Advisory Committee Kevin Baynes, Maryland Housing and Community Development Gary Burnett, Maryland Park Service Jackie Carrera, Parks & People Foundation Paul Dial, Maryland Association of Counties, Frederick County Recreation and Parks Department Jonathan Doherty, National Park Service Tom Donlin, Maryland Recreation and Parks Association Maureen Dougherty, Frostburg State University Pat Goucher, Maryland Department of Planning Charlie Gougeon, Maryland Fisheries Service Elizabeth Hughes, Maryland Historical Trust Matt Jagunic, National Park Service Joe McNeal, Maryland Municipal League, City of Greenbelt Stephanie Oberle, Brookside Gardens, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission John Papagni, Maryland Housing and Community Development Jared Parks, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Jack Perdue, Maryland Forest Service Jim Rapp, Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experience Dan Rosen, Maryland Department of Planning Marci Ross, Maryland Office of Tourism Development Nita Settina, Maryland Park Service Susan Simmons, Maryland Association of Counties, Caroline County Recreation and Parks Department Erica Smith, Maryland Department of Health & Hygiene Karina Stonesifer, Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service Kate Sylvester, Maryland Department of Transportation Trails Committee Laura Collard, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Dave Ferraro, Mid‐Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) Ronnie Gathers, Maryland Recreation & Parks Association (MRPA) Steve Green, High Mountain Sports and Garrett Trails Dan Hudson, International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Richard Hughes, Maryland Heritage Area Authority Ken Kyler, Mid‐Atlantic Four Wheel Drive Association Ellen Moyer, Former Mayor of Annapolis Ronald MacNabb, Trail Riders of Today (TROT) Rico Newman, Maryland Indian Tourism Association Mike O'Connor, Mountain Club of Maryland Carol Sildorf, Bike Maryland John Wetmore, Perils for Pedestrians Elizabeth Wyble, Friends of Anne Arundel Trails ii ii | Page Maryland Department of Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources Staff and Contributing Authors John F. Wilson, Associate Director of Stewardship, Land Acquisition and Planning Sandra Trent, Administrator, Stewardship, Land Acquisition and Planning Steve Carr, Trails Planner, Land Acquisition and Planning Adam Bossi, Natural Resources Planner, Land Acquisition and Planning Christine Conn, Director, Integrated Policy & Review Lisa Gutierrez, Public Access, Water Trails and Recreation Planning Program Virginia R. Busby, PhD, Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs Project Consultant Team Anne Miller, AICP, Project Manager, GreenPlay, LLC Cindy Heath, CPRP, Project Manager, GreenPlay, LLC Kristin Caborn, CPRE, Project Consultant, GreenPlay, LLC Teresa Penbrooke, MAOM, CPRE, Principal‐in‐Charge, GreenPlay, LLC Carter Marshall, Landscape Designer, Design Concepts David Peterson, Landscape Architect, Design Concepts Mike Simone, Senior Associate, RRC Associates Image Credits: Unless otherwise noted, document images courtesy of Maryland Department of Tourism, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland State Parks, National Park Service, and the Friendsville Trails Alliance. Land Preservation and Recreation Plan – Recreation Component Page | iii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 1 A. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 B. PLANNING CONTEXT ............................................................................................................................ 3 C. PLANNING PROCESS & TIMELINE ......................................................................................................... 4 D. KEY FINDINGS ....................................................................................................................................... 6 E. KEY STRATEGIES .................................................................................................................................... 6 F. LAND PRESERVATION AND RECREATION PLAN CHAPTER SUMMARY ................................................ 12 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 13 A. Vision for Land Preservation and Outdoor Recreation in Maryland .................................................. 13 B. Alignment with National Outdoor Recreation Priorities .................................................................... 13 C. Collaborative Outdoor Recreation and Cultural History Projects ...................................................... 14 D. Purpose of the Land Preservation and Recreation Plan .................................................................... 15 E. Value of Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resource Protection ........................................................ 16 F. Outdoor Recreation Impacts on Health and Livability ........................................................................ 22 G. Existing Plan Review ........................................................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 2: MARYLAND’S OUTDOOR RECREATION DEMAND ............................................ 25 A. Planning Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 25 B. Public Engagement Summary ............................................................................................................. 26 C. Demographic Profile and Analysis ...................................................................................................... 41 D. Trends Analysis ................................................................................................................................... 48 E. Accessibility and Equity ...................................................................................................................... 57 CHAPTER 3: MARYLAND OUTDOOR RECREATION SUPPLY .................................................. 59 A. Public Lands Inventory & Level of Service Analysis ............................................................................ 59 B. Analysis Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 61 C. Inventory and Level of Analysis .......................................................................................................... 62 D. Resource Maps (Reference) ............................................................................................................... 62 E. Perspective Maps (Analytical) ............................................................................................................ 69 F. General Recommendations Based on Findings .................................................................................. 84 CHAPTER