About the Patapsco Regional Greenway
The Patapsco Regional Greenway Plan envisions a 40-mile, shared-use trail running through the Patapsco Valley from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Sykesville in Carroll County. This trail, if completed, would pass through or near the communities of Cherry Hill, Baltimore Highlands, Halethorpe, Elkridge, Catonsville, Ellicott City, Oella, Daniels, Woodstock, Marriottsville, and Sykesville.
Parts of the 10-12 foot wide shared-use trail are already constructed and open for use:
- Freedom Park Trail (Carroll County, 1.6 miles)
- Grist Mill Trail (Baltimore County, 5.2 miles)
- Gwynns Falls Trail at the Middle Branch (Baltimore City, 1.6 miles)
- Gwynns Falls Trail at Ridgely’s Cove (Baltimore City, 1 mile)
- Jones Falls Trail at the Inner Harbor (Baltimore City, 0.4 miles)
- Waterfront Promenade (Baltimore City, 1.3 miles)
- Port Covington Waterfront Parks (Baltimore City, 1.2 miles)
Remaining portions will be designed and constructed based on local priorities and funding availability.
Guinness to Southwest Area Park Project
The Guinness to Southwest Area Park segment of the PRG extends approximately 6 miles from Guinness Open Gate Brewery to Southwest Area Park and the MDOT MTA Patapsco Light Rail Station in Baltimore County. The segment will use a variety of facility types to accommodate safe and comfortable use by pedestrians and bicyclists. The facilities being explored include asphalt/concrete pathways, crushed compacted stone pathways and a bicycle boulevard.
The purpose of this phase of the project is to explore the opportunities and challenges of the four proposed alignments, identify design details, engage the public, receive community feedback and prepare a 30% design document that will carry the project to final design and construction.
Elkridge to Guinness Project
Preliminary design is complete for the Elkridge to Guinness Open Gate Brewery segment. Once constructed, it will provide connections from Guinness Open Gate Brewery to Historic Elkridge and Patapsco Valley State Park, including a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Patapsco River linking Howard and Baltimore Counties.
Based on public input, and the input of our project partners, the project team selected an alignment and developed preliminary design drawings. The Patapsco Route, modified, will provide a practical, constructible and impactful investment. It will provide new pedestrian and bicycle access connecting Howard and Baltimore Counties via a scenic bridge crossing over the Patapsco River, while also leveraging Howard County’s existing investments in the transportation network and the general comfort levels of Main Street and Levering Avenue for biking and walking. View a Story Map:
Elkridge to Guinness Project Partners
Additionally, a small group of community members representing Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park, Patapsco Heritage Greenway, Greater Elkridge Community Association, and Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Public Advisory Committee serve on a community advisory group to provide input and support outreach to their members and interested parties.
Sykesville to McKeldin Area Project
The Sykesville to McKeldin Segment of the Patapsco Regional Greenway consists of two sections - 1) the western portion from downtown Sykesville to Freedom Park and 2) the eastern portion from Freedom Park to the McKeldin area of the Patapsco Valley State Park.
In June 2021, a comment period was held to gather feedback on the alignment of each of these trail segments. After reviewing comments, a route for each section was selected. In fall 2021, the BRTB held a comment period on the preferred alternatives for this route. The 30% design process is expected to be completed in January 2022.