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Old 08-09-2010, 05:50 AM
 
Location: On the Beach
4,139 posts, read 4,498,906 times
Reputation: 10317

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Can anyone tell me what the deal is with Parks & Recreation regarding Gwynns Falls? For years I have been hearing how this is the greatest bike trail around. Sunday my partner and I showed up with our bikes at the Franklintown Road Trail and the parking lot was locked at 9:30am. We came back at 11am and it was still locked. Seems strange to me that as much as the City has tried to sell people on the safety and beauty of this park, that on a Sunday afternoon the lot would be closed. Any regular users of the park experience this in the past or, was Sunday a fluke? We ended up parking near Security Blvd and did bike to Carroll Park, its a great trail but not sure I would go back if parking is not available, thanks
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Old 08-09-2010, 07:10 AM
 
Location: NYC
7,305 posts, read 13,443,677 times
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I live near Franklintown and ride the trail often. I may have even passed you yesterday on my way to and from the Orioles game.

The deal is they laid off almost the entire trail staff. They were an early casualty of the recession. Almost everying is being done by volunteers now. There are but a handful of full time staff for Leakin Park and the GFT. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is. However it seems to be getting a fair amount of use - yesterday was one of the busier days I've seen.

Do you mean the Winans Meadow parking lot? The park with the big pavillion along Fraklintown Road? I'd be surprised if that was locked. That's a busy park on a Sunday - cookouts, family reunions, etc.

There's gates blocking cars from entering Wetheredsville Rd. from Franklintown Rd (because it's now part of the trail) - perhaps you saw that and were confused as to where to to park?

I'm sorry if this inconvenience ruined your ride. It was a nice day for it.

Parking at the west end of the trail is available at the I-70 Park and Ride, anywhere along the side of the road in the village of Franklintown (Williams St. would work), at Winans Meadow park, or in an area along Windsor Mill Road. Windsor Mill is a popular place to start - it's where you crossed the Falls from one side to the other (just before the trail became gravel/dirt). Its lot was certainly open yesterday.

Last edited by HandsUpThumbsDown; 08-09-2010 at 07:25 AM..
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Old 08-09-2010, 07:46 AM
 
Location: On the Beach
4,139 posts, read 4,498,906 times
Reputation: 10317
Thanks for the information. We were at the lot on Franklintown Road (on the left just a bit past Winan's Way). There were a lot of folks pulling through trying to figure out where to park but the lot was locked. So no, it wasn't the gate to Wetheredsivlle Road. Once we parked up by Security we did the trail which included part of the now blocked off Wethedsville Road. It was a great trail; took it down to Carroll Park. I guess we will try the Windsor Mill road area next time if the lot is closed again. I figured the City budget cuts must be to blame but, just to have someone open the gate at sun up and lock it at sun down would be nice. I know a lot of folks who were looking for parking when we were there gave up and left. Interestingly enough, we passed maybe 5 other people on bikes the whole morning; not like NCR trail which is packed with bikers, joggers, dog walkers, etc. Definitely a nice change!
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Old 08-09-2010, 08:07 AM
 
Location: NYC
7,305 posts, read 13,443,677 times
Reputation: 3714
Quote:
Originally Posted by nurider2002 View Post
Thanks for the information. We were at the lot on Franklintown Road (on the left just a bit past Winan's Way).
How unusual. Must've been a fluke. I took the shortcut from my house by riding down Windsor Mill Road (not advised!) and met up with the trail over the bridge so I didn't ride through Winans Meadow yesterday.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nurider2002 View Post
Interestingly enough, we passed maybe 5 other people on bikes the whole morning; not like NCR trail which is packed with bikers, joggers, dog walkers, etc. Definitely a nice change!
If you ever have a weekday off, try it out - you're likely be the only one there.
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Old 08-09-2010, 08:19 AM
 
Location: On the Beach
4,139 posts, read 4,498,906 times
Reputation: 10317
Will definitely go back; that trail gave me a new appreciation of City; hard to believe where you are when you are in that park.
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