Month: May 2009

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The Grand History Trail Concept Plan: Executive Summary

This study explores the potential of creating a unique interstate trail system that would connect existing trails in a area rich in historical, cultural, and natural resources. Called the “Grand History Trail”, this conceptual network could link 100 miles of existing disconnected trails to create a circular pathway for non-motorized travelers that would extend over 300 miles.

Where will the trail go?

Currently, the Grand History Trail conceptual loop is a combination of on- and off-road facilities that connect major metropolitan cities and small historic towns in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the District of Columbia [overview map image or page reference here]. The route encompasses Baltimore, MD; Annapolis, MD; Washington, DC; Frederick, MD; Gettysburg, PA; and York, PA. The Background and Visioning/Planning sections (pp. x-xx) outline the steps taken to identify an alignment that would intersect cities of historical importance and the Segment Analysis section (pp. x-xx) outlines the route by segment and addresses the relationship of the trail to existing and future plans in each city, county, and state.

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Governor Glendening recognized for a lifetime of work

Governor Glendening addresses the conference attendees in Albuquerque after receiving his lifetime achievement award.
Governor Parris Glendening, who serves SGA as the President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, received a few notable recognitions earlier in 2009.
In January Gov. Glendening received a lifetime achievement award at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in recognition of his years of tireless service to advance the ideas of smart growth — first in Maryland as an elected leader, and across the country in the years hence. The New Partners Conference honored his work as governor of Maryland and with the Smart Growth Leadership Institute.
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Public Transit Users Three Times More Likely To Meet Fitness Guidelines

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The study, published in the Journal of Public Health Policy, finds that people who take public transit are three times more likely than those who don’t to meet the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s suggested daily minimum of physical activity.
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According to the study, people who drove the most were the least likely to meet the recommended level of physical activity.

"The idea of needing to go to the gym to get your daily dose of exercise is a misperception," says Frank, the J. Armand Bombardier Chairholder in Sustainable Transportation and a researcher at the UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability. "These short walks throughout our day are historically how we have gotten our activity. Unfortunately, we’ve engineered this activity out of our daily lives."
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