(10/27) During the November 12 town meeting, Thurmont’s Board of Commissioners voted to purchase property located on Moser Road in order to work towards the future extension of the Trolley Trail southbound toward Frederick.

The long-term goal for the Trolley Trail, as discussed back in the spring, would be to extend it all the way to Frederick, which would create fifteen miles of uninterrupted trail for walkers, bikers and hikers. It would also provide a safe cycle commuting opportunity for residents of Thurmont, Lewistown and Yellow Springs. Another long-term goal would be to extend the Trolley Trail to Emmitsburg. This could add another eight miles in the northern direction of the trail. The trail could even meet up with the proposed trail currently under discussion in the Borough of Gettysburg that may run from Gettysburg to Emmitsburg, creating even more miles of multi-user trails.

The town received $75,000 in funding from Project Open Space (POS) a few years ago for the acquisition of property on W. Main Street in an effort to extend the Gateway Trail. However, this plan fell through, but it still left the town with the grant monies. This year, town staff submitted an application to POS for an additional $60,000 for the acquisition of property to initiate construction on the northern extension of the Trolley Trail – this funding was approved. The northern extension was approved earlier this year by Commissioners, and according to the plan, it would connect the existing Trolley Trail to the Eyler Road Park. This extension would double the current length of the trail by adding an additional .77 - .89 miles of trail, and could eventually link up in Emmitsburg.

However, as discussed the preferred project was the southern extension, via the acquisition of the Moser Road property. The southern extension would run parallel to the water treatment access road across Potomac Edison property on Moser Road. The town was unable to procure the property back in the spring because the property owner was unwilling to negotiate price at the time. Now, with the $75,000 and the newly procured $60,000 in grant monies, the town has a combined total of $134,000 to put towards the purchase of the Moser Road property. Chief Administrative Officer, Jim Humerick, explained to staff that the combination of grant funds was approved at the county and state levels.

Commissioners moved to approve the purchase of the Moser Road property, a total of just over ten acres, in the amount of $150,000. The town voted to purchase the property with the intention of designating it as future parklands. The town will look to work towards the northern extension in the future.

The trail will extend from Moser Road out past town limits, onto county property. Thurmont’s Mayor, John Kinnaird, hopes this extension will garner the attention of Frederick County officials to begin moving forward with the connection of Frederick and Thurmont with a hiking/biking trail. According to Mayor Kinnaird, Frederick County has this hiking/biking connection project as one of their top three priority projects to be completed over the next ten to twelve years.

Multi-use trails, like the Trolley Trail, are important and beneficial for towns like Thurmont in many ways. Multi-use trails create many opportunities for communities and allow people to get outside and be active. They also provide a safe walking path for families, children and dog owners, and provide educational and volunteering opportunities for schools, youth groups and other local organizations. Extending the Trolley Trail could also increase foot traffic in and around Thurmont, which would be beneficial to the town’s businesses.