Construction of Hiker-Biker Trail Could Begin Next Summer

Riverdale Park residents could see construction begin as early as next summer on a hiker-biker trail along an old trolley line that would connect the town to College Park in the north and Hyattsville in the south.

Town council members and residents who met with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in June learned that there were still some issues keeping Prince George's County Parks and Planning from paving the area north of Riverdale Park Town Center, which is currently a dirt path.

"We're trying to figure out who owns the right of way. From the Town Center north [to Tuckerman Street], it's cloudy," said Chuck Montrie, director of Prince George's County Parks and Planning.

Parks and Planning officials hope to settle the land-ownership issues by the fall so they can finish the design drawing and get a permit to begin construction next summer, Montrie said, adding that there is money set aside in the Capital Improvement Program to build the trail.

Some bikers hope the construction of the trail will encourage more people to use it.

"A lot more people would use it if it got paved," said Mount Rainier resident PJ Park, who bikes the trail daily to and from his job in College Park. "People don't know about it because it's not paved. Right now people have to hear about it through word of mouth."

Park said he learned about the trail two years ago and began using it to avoid the steep hill he would have to climb on Route 1, where there is no sidewalk and no shoulder in some places.

"It's a really effective shortcut. And a paved trail will make it easier to access College Park for kids from DeMatha High School and for College Parkians to access the Riverdale [Park] Farmers Market and the MARC Train," he said.

Town Councilwoman Alice Ewen (Ward 1) said the residents she's spoken with are excited to see the project break ground. A portion of the trail sits in the ward she represents.

"Paving the path will make the trail more accessible and safe for all users," Ewen said. "Completion of the path is central to our community's plan for a walkable, sustainable community that offers green transportation options."

The portion of the trail in College Park is almost complete except for a small gap south of Paint Branch Parkway that Montrie said will soon be finished. Developer EYA will construct the portion of the trail from Madison Street to Hyattsville, connecting through its mixed-use property.

The trail will be maintained and monitored by Riverdale Park Police, Ewen said. Though the trail will not initially include lighting, both the town and M-NCPPC hope lighting can be installed soon after the trail's completion, she added.

"We have some options that we'll explore once we move forward with the design drawing," Montrie said. "We may install some lights in trouble spots … There's an electric line that runs along the [path], so there's an option to put lights on those poles."