Baltimore Greenway
The City of Baltimore Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, will develop concepts and preliminary designs for a continuously connected greenway trail that has previously been designated as the Northern Segments of the Baltimore Greenway Trail Network.
This study, funded by a 2020 Maryland Department of Transportation Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program grant, will build on previous planning and preliminary design efforts for multiple greenway segments through northern Baltimore. When complete, this study will identify the alignment and improvements needed to link over six miles of planned and existing greenway segments.
The Groundwork
Over the past few years, the City partnered with the Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, including Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, to lay the groundwork for a 35-mile greenway through the City of Baltimore that would connect communities and to some of Baltimore’s most treasured assets – parks, trails, waterfronts, historical sites, educational institutions, business districts, to name a few – in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way. The Greenway would become a City resource that promotes active transportation, like walking, running, and biking, and would provide additional opportunities and access to recreation throughout Baltimore.
During a previous planning process, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy hosted numerous public meetings to engage the various communities along the northern segments of the proposed Baltimore Greenway. The City will carefully examine the results of these previous public meetings to understand opportunities, challenges, and priorities so that these sections of the Greenway will be an asset for all Baltimoreans, including and accounting for the input of those who live and work along the alignment.
Visit railstotrails.org to learn more about the previous planning effort led by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, including early concept designs.
It is important to note that the concept designs created during the previous planning phase will be evaluated after upcoming public input periods to ensure the community’s collective voices shape the most appropriate design solution.
The Scope
The City of Baltimore will lead the study and development of conceptual plans for the Northern Segments of the Baltimore Greenway Trail Network. It will build on early planning efforts completed by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. The City and its team will lead an extensive public engagement program to reach the many neighborhoods affected by the proposed trail segments. Public input is expected in four separate project phases, each consisting of multiple community meetings to target the specific needs of each community.
The collaborative approach will facilitate the development of a greenway concept for each segment that can address existing community concerns and establish a solid framework that the City can use to progress the design and construction of each segment as funding and priorities allow.
The Process
The City will collaborate with you and your neighbors, peers, local businesses, and institutions to navigate a planning process aimed at arriving at a consensus solution that provides a continuous greenway from Leakin Park, connecting to Hanlon Park, through Druid Hill Park, Johns Hopkins University, and Lake Montebello to Herring Run Park. 2021-2022, you will have four opportunities to join the planning process. Community feedback is critical to ensure the success of greenway implementation.
Updates
Aug 22, 2024
Here are the slides that were presented during the meeting
Greenway Trails Network Northwestern Segment Connecting Leakin Park to Druid Hill Park
▪ Developing concepts and designs for a continuously connected greenway trail
▪ 35-mile trail loop connecting existing trails including Gwynns Falls, Jones Falls, and Herring Run
▪ Linking the diverse neighborhoods, cultural amenities, and outdoor resources that make up the landscape of Baltimore City
Greenway Trails Network Benefits
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| Connecting communities to each other and to some of Baltimore’s most treasured assets, such as parks, trails, waterfronts, historical sites, and educational institutions. | Promoting the usage of active transportation modes, such as walking, running, and biking, and would provide additional opportunities and access to recreation throughout the city. | Empowering pedestrians, bicyclists, and road users with disabilities to feel safer on streets by calming traffic and reallocating space away from vehicles. |
TYPICAL GREENWAY TRAIL FEATURES
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| 10’-12’ paved pathways accommodating all non-motorized road users. | Trees, plants, benches, tables, trash receptacles. | Pavement markings, signage, and maps for safe use. |
BALTIMORE GREENWAY TRAILS NETWORK: NORTHERN SEGMENTs
▪ Greenway Trails Network Northern Segment contains two portions – funded through MD Bikeways Grant:
▪ Eastern portion: Druid Hill Park to Lake Montebello – Planning and design completed in Summer 2023
▪ Western portion: Leakin Park/Gwynn Falls Trail to Druid Hill Park – On pause since early 2023
PREVIOUS ALIGNMENTS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
▪ Conducted two public meetings to receive community feedback on alignments
▪ Mixed feedback:
▪ Support for direct connection between Leakin Park and Druid Hill Park
▪ Concern about repurposing of median on Gwynns Falls Pkwy
EXPLORING NEW ALTERNATIVE
▪ Leverage existing bus-bike lane on W North Ave (0.5 mile) and existing cycle track on Liberty Heights Ave (0.2 mile)
▪ New bike infrastructure on Dukeland Street (1 mile)
▪ New bike infrastructure on Liberty Heights Avenue (0.8 mile)
Benefits:
▪ Proximity to Bard High School/Gwynns Falls Elementary
▪ Opportunity for access to Hanlon Park/Gwynns Run
Challenges:
▪ Elevation changes and topography challenges on Dukeland St
▪ Alignment uses W North Ave bus/bike lane
DUKELAND STREET: W NORTH AVE TO GWYNNS FALLS PKWY
Existing Conditions:
▪ One (1) travel lane per direction
▪ One (1) parking lane per direction
▪ Sidewalks both directions
▪ Requires repurposing a parking lane
▪ Distance: 0.3
DUKELAND STREET: GWYNNS FALLS PKWY TO LIBERTY HEIGHTS AVE
Existing Conditions:
▪ One (1) travel lane per direction
▪ One (1) flex/off-peak parking lane per direction
▪ Sidewalk NB, no sidewalk SB
▪ Hanlon Park green space on SB side
▪ Difficult to repurpose NB parking lane because it abuts school
▪ Distance: 0.6 mi
LIBERTY HEIGHTS AVE: DUKELAND ST TO DRUID PARK DR
Existing Conditions:
▪ Two (2) travel lanes EB; three (3) travel lanes WB
▪ 10’ buffer lane EB; 10’ median between EB and WB lanes
▪ Sidewalks on both directions; narrow sidewalk EB
▪ Narrow EB sidewalk
▪ Distance: 0.4 mi
LIBERTY HEIGHTS AVE: DRUID PARK DR TO REISTERSTOWN RD
Existing Conditions:
▪ Two (2) travel lanes each direction
▪ 10.5’ parking lanes each direction
▪ 12’ median between EB and WB lanes
▪ Narrow sidewalks
▪ Wide existing parking lanes and travel lanes
▪ Requires repurposing EB parking lane
▪ Intersection modifications required
▪ Distance: 0.6 mi
Existing Conditions:
▪ Consider the connection between new bike infrastructure on the EB side of Liberty Heights and existing cycle track on the WB side of Liberty Heights
Aug 5, 2024
The meeting has been rescheduled!
The meeting will take place Thursday, Aug 22, 6p
at The Center For Urban Families, 2201 N Monroe St, Baltimore, MD 21217
Accessible by Bus Lines are CityLink Lime, CityLink Navy, 82
We will provide an update on the planning efforts and seek additional community input.
March 15, 2024
Thanks to the high number of registrations for the meeting originally scheduled for April 4th, we are rescheduling to have more staff available for your questions and feedback.
