Leonardtown, MD – With planning, design and construction work complete, Phase VI of the Three Notch Trail is set for a “soft opening” today, July 1. A ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open the new five mile section of the trail is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26 at 9 a.m. behind Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville.
The new section runs from MD Route 236 in New Market south to MD Route 5 in Mechanicsville. This long-awaited segment connects completed sections in Charlotte Hall to Mechanicsville. This provides a continuous eleven mile trail in the northern area of the county. Trail users should be aware of all trail signage, pavement markings, the new hazard identification beacon on MD Route 5, and new push-button, rapid flash beacon on Mechanicsville Road.
“Developing the County’s railroad right-of-way into a hiking/biking trail continues to provide numerous benefits to local citizens and tourists,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “We are very thankful to have several partners who helped pay for this project and worked with us to make this important phase of trail a reality.”
The project was made possible by money from the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County; Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration contribution from the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) of $1.7; MDOT’s Maryland Bikeways Program; SHA’s Recreational Trails Program; Maryland’s Program Open Space; and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
Parking for the ribbon cutting ceremony will be available at Immaculate Conception Church located at 28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville. For more information on the Three Notch Trail, contact the Department of Recreation and Parks at 301-475-4200 ext. *1811 or go to www.stmarysmd.com/recreate and click on parks and facilities.
