Ma and Pa Trail
Encyclopedia
The Ma and Pa Trail is a 6.25 miles (10.1 km) multi-purpose rail trail
that follows the path of the old Ma and Pa Railroad
through Harford County, Maryland
. It contains three linked trails, one unconnected, with plans to bridge the gap in the middle, bringing the total length to 10 miles (16 km). Both links of the trail are paved, have few steep hills or hazards, and contain overlooks and bridges when necessary.
The Bel Air
Trail is a 2.5 miles (4 km) trail that runs from Williams Street in downtown to the Equestrian Center on the other side of the bypass. It passes underneath of the Route 24 Highway, the U.S. Route 1
bypass, and crosses Tollgate Road, where it meets the Fallston Trail. Spurs off of it connect to the Harford Mall and Liriodendron mansion, and branches out to a dog park
at the end. It serves as a shortcut across town, rather than walking along highways, and contains several bridges across branches of the creek while cutting through the forested Heavenly Waters Park. Bathrooms and parking are available at each end of the trail. Horses and dogs are permitted on the Bel Air link of the path.
The Fallston Link is a 2 miles (3.2 km) segment dedicated on June 7, 2008, that runs from the Equestrian Center to the Edgeley Grove Farm area of Fallston
.
The Forest Hill Trail is a third, 1.75 miles (2.8 km) link of the trail running from the duckpond at Friends Park to Melrose Lane. A tunnel is located at Maryland Route 23
, but passes over a development street on the north end. Bathrooms and parking are located at each end. Dogs are allowed on the Forest Hill link, but horses are not.
As of late 2006, planning is underway to link the two routes into one continuous trail . At the time of the original constructions, a tunnel was built underneath of Route 1 in preparation, but it is unconnected to any path system. Construction for an extension from Bel Air to the Edgeley Grove area in Fallston
is planned, and a 4.1 miles (6.6 km) northern link at Dooley Road, near the state line in Cardiff
is under study.
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
that follows the path of the old Ma and Pa Railroad
Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad
The Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad , familiarly known as the "Ma and Pa", was an American short-line railroad between York and Hanover, Pennsylvania, formerly operating passenger and freight trains on its original line between York and Baltimore, Maryland, from 1901 until the 1950s...
through Harford County, Maryland
Harford County, Maryland
Harford County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland. In 2010, its population was 244,826. Its county seat is Bel Air. Harford County forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area.-History:...
. It contains three linked trails, one unconnected, with plans to bridge the gap in the middle, bringing the total length to 10 miles (16 km). Both links of the trail are paved, have few steep hills or hazards, and contain overlooks and bridges when necessary.
The Bel Air
Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland
The town of Bel Air is the county seat of Harford County, Maryland, United States. According to the 2000 census the population of the town was 10,080. In 2009 the town's estimated population was 10,368...
Trail is a 2.5 miles (4 km) trail that runs from Williams Street in downtown to the Equestrian Center on the other side of the bypass. It passes underneath of the Route 24 Highway, the U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway that serves the East Coast of the United States. It runs 2,377 miles from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border south to Key West, Florida. U.S. 1 generally parallels Interstate 95, though it is significantly farther west between...
bypass, and crosses Tollgate Road, where it meets the Fallston Trail. Spurs off of it connect to the Harford Mall and Liriodendron mansion, and branches out to a dog park
Dog park
A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners...
at the end. It serves as a shortcut across town, rather than walking along highways, and contains several bridges across branches of the creek while cutting through the forested Heavenly Waters Park. Bathrooms and parking are available at each end of the trail. Horses and dogs are permitted on the Bel Air link of the path.
The Fallston Link is a 2 miles (3.2 km) segment dedicated on June 7, 2008, that runs from the Equestrian Center to the Edgeley Grove Farm area of Fallston
Fallston, Maryland
Fallston is a census-designated place in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 8,427 at the 2000 census. It is a semi-rural community consisting mostly of farms and suburban-like developments and is a good example of an "exurb"...
.
The Forest Hill Trail is a third, 1.75 miles (2.8 km) link of the trail running from the duckpond at Friends Park to Melrose Lane. A tunnel is located at Maryland Route 23
Maryland Route 23
Maryland Route 23 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 1 in Hickory north and west to the Pennsylvania state line near Norrisville, where the highway continues as Pennsylvania Route 24 . MD 23 is an L-shaped highway in northwestern Harford...
, but passes over a development street on the north end. Bathrooms and parking are located at each end. Dogs are allowed on the Forest Hill link, but horses are not.
As of late 2006, planning is underway to link the two routes into one continuous trail . At the time of the original constructions, a tunnel was built underneath of Route 1 in preparation, but it is unconnected to any path system. Construction for an extension from Bel Air to the Edgeley Grove area in Fallston
Fallston, Maryland
Fallston is a census-designated place in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 8,427 at the 2000 census. It is a semi-rural community consisting mostly of farms and suburban-like developments and is a good example of an "exurb"...
is planned, and a 4.1 miles (6.6 km) northern link at Dooley Road, near the state line in Cardiff
Cardiff, Maryland
Cardiff is an unincorporated community in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 518 at the 2000 census. Zipcode for the area is 21160. It takes its name from the Capital city of Wales.-Geography:...
is under study.