IRELAND TRAIL DRIVE
NOTE: At the annual meeting, Mike Pomponio explained
the issue of saving the Ireland Drive Trail to our members.
It was agreed that we would post this information on our website,
and if people want to support the petition, there’s
information on how to do so contained within.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Protecting the Ireland Drive Carriage Trail
.
Save Our Trail Coalition wants the Ireland Drive Carriage
Trail and its woodlands transferred from Army to public ownership.
Find this trail next to WRAMC Annex off Linden Lane, or from
Jones Mill Road cross the foot bridge and take the paved trail
to the end. The Carriage Trail goes both left and right.
The Montgomery County Planning Board designated this property,
“Legacy Open Space” acknowledging the trail’s
importance as a natural and historic resource.
This is an exciting first step, but more needs to be done.
The trail must be owned by the Parks Department. Only it can
assure the public permanent access to the entire historic
trail.
The U.S. Army has owned the trail since 1942. However, maintaining
and protecting the trail is not their mission. They propose
to allow public access through an easement on part of the
trail. The Army is planning new buildings overlooking the
trail. In order to provide security buffers, they will move
their security fence into the park. The most pristine section
of the trail will be inaccessible to the public. No one will
be there to notice when the tributary is polluted or to notice
if a malignant person were to take residence in that secluded
section.
Save Our Trail Coalition is urging all government representatives
to promote public ownership of the Carriage Trail and to request
federal funds for repairs.
We need your help to persuade our legislators to use their
influence to encourage the Army to transfer this woodland
to those who will cherish and protect it in perpetuity.
Barbara Schubert
contact:
fanschu@aol.com
click here
for more information
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