Black Hill Trail Renovation
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Project Description
Black Hill Regional Park
This project upgrades an existing 2-3/8 mile hiker-biker trail along the eastern shore of Little Seneca Lake from Wisteria Drive north to Spinning Wheel Drive. The existing six-foot wide trail does not meet park standards and is seriously deteriorated. The trail renovation and upgrade provides an eight-foot wide trail that meets park construction standards and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all locations.
Background
Several plans, including the 2002 Black Hill Regional Park Master Plan and the 1998 Countywide Park Trails Plan, envisioned a hard surface trail network that links the residents of Germantown and Clarksburg to Black Hill Regional Park. Renovation of this existing trail is part of a larger network which will make the regional park accessible to thousands of residents and make the amenities accessible to those living in the vicinity of the park.
Developers built the existing trail as the adjacent residential communities developed, and conveyed the land and trail to the Commission in 1982. The trail was constructed using little or no base material and a substandard asphalt layer that is deteriorated. In addition, the trail was built before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines were developed. It is too narrow to safely accommodate the growing number of users and contains several areas of steep slopes, three of which are near access points to the trail. The proposed eight-foot width affords minimum space for bicyclists, wheelchairs, strollers, maintenance crews, and emergency vehicles.
A facility planning study was conducted and the plan for the trail was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board on April 24, 2003. The project was approved and funded for detailed design and construction by the Montgomery County Council.
Status/Project Update
The project was bid in Spring 2011 and construction began in July 2011, with completion anticipated in July 2012. The stream restoration work began in June 2011 and was completed in late August 2011.
Click on the titles below to view various sections of the plans:
- Cover Sheet and General Details
- Trail Plans - Part 1
- Trail Plans - Part 2
- Safety Railings/Fencing Selection
- Additional Project Information
Calendar and Meeting Notes
Links to review meeting notes and Planning Board memos will be attached to each applicable calendar event as it is scheduled and completed.
DATE/TIME |
DISCUSSION AND MEETING NOTES |
LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| July 2012 | Construction to be completed and trail to open | |
| December 12, 2011 | Safety Railings/Fencing Options Poll (poll closed on January 26, 2012) | |
| September 2011 | Stream restoration completed | |
| July 2011 | Start of Construction | |
| June 16, 2011 | Stream restoration begins | |
| Spring 2011 | Advertise for construction bid | |
| December 8, 2010 | Community Briefing/Update to view design progress of trail renovation | Waters Landing Assoc., Inc. 20000 Father Hurley Blvd. Germantown, MD |
| May 22, 2010 |
Trail Walk and Informational Session to view and discuss trail issues and concerns conducted Click to view presentation |
Waters Landing Assoc., Inc. 20000 Father Hurley Blvd. Germantown, MD |
| April 26, 2010 | Community Meeting to discuss project implementation and community concerns | Up-County Center 12900 Middlebrook Road Germantown, MD |
| Fall 2009 | Design in progress to renovate trail and stream restoration | |
| Summer 2009 | Community Meeting to discuss upcoming construction impacts | |
| April 24, 2003 | Planning Board Meeting - Facility Plan approved | MRO (Auditorium) 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD |
M-NCPPC Staff Contact
William Payton, Project Manager
William.Payton@MontgomeryParks.org
301-495-3587
Bob Kane, Construction Manager
Bob.Kane@MontgomeryParks.org
301-495-2555
Date of last update: January 27, 2012
Montgomery County Department of Parks