DNR wants to know: what do you want? And Wednesday night is your last chance to tell them for the next five years.

Do you compete at Rosaryville or Fair Hill? Ride at Tuckahoe or the League of Maryland Horsemen (Marriottsville)? Do you foxchase in the Patuxent or the Patapsco? Trail ride just about anywhere in this state?

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking citizens for their input on State outdoor recreation facilities and services in areas throughout Maryland. Of course, we would like to see a lot of input from horse people, as this is for their Long Range Plan Land Preservation and Recreational Plan, and we want to make sure that equestrian needs and desires are part of that long range plan – and Wed. June 19 will be your last chance to be part of the dialogue.

 At the time The Equiery originally wrote (in February) about this opportunity, the community meetings were expected to conclude in March, but inclement weather forced the rescheduling of one of the meetings, and so now you still have an opportunity to share your thoughts.

The public input will help guide the update of the Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan,which will serve as a roadmap for future State outdoor recreation facilities and services. Last time, trails were left out entirely.  This time, trails will be included and given significant space.  The plan may include maintenance, improvements, new trails and land purchases.

The Department has hired a nationally-known parks and recreation management consulting firm, GreenPlay, LLC, to oversee the Recreation Component of this planning process.

A “Trails Working Group” was formed consisting of representatives of trail user interest groups (equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, ATV’ers, etc.) and asked to survey their member’s for issues and concerns.  Ellen Moyer represents equestrians on this committee, and is asking all horsepeople: “what changes and improvements would you like to see implemented?” General comments such as, “Enlarge trailhead parking lots for trailers”, will be included in the body of the report.  Specific comments such as, “Enlarge the parking lot for trailers at Monocacy NRMA”, will be included in the Appendix.

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/

To take the online survey, visit http://survey.rrcresearch.com/s3/Maryland.