About Us
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Catonsville Rails to Trails, Inc. (CRTT) is to unite individuals, businesses and organizations in the community around the common theme of promoting healthy living through hiking/biking trail enhancements in the greater Catonsville area.
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
The primary purpose of CRTT is to convert all the abandoned rail and trolley lines in Catonsville into bike/hike trails and make connections with trails in neighboring communities. CRTT also promotes walk-able neighborhood and safe pedestrian access for all residential and business communities in the Catonsville area.
Our History
Catonsville Rails to Trails, Inc. is an organization formed in September 1998 (and incorporated in March 1999 as a 501c3 non-profit corporation) by local citizens who wished to provide Catonsville residents with the opportunity to safely bicycle and walk right through the center of Catonsville.
Objectives
The purpose of the Catonsville Rails to Trails, Inc. (CRTT) shall be to unite individuals in the community around the common theme of promoting hiking/biking trail enhancements in the greater Catonsville area. The objectives shall be:
- Converting old, abandoned railroads and streetcar lines into new trails that can be used for recreational purposes. Currently, CRTT is building the Catonsville Short Line Railroad trail into walking and bicycling path.
- Maintain and enhance the #8 Streetcar Path
- Promote the linage of existing and proposed trails to support the safe and effective use of the trails as a network providing connectivity to neighborhoods of Catonsville and to the surrounding areas.
- Preserve the history of the railroad and streetcar routes that once served Catonsville.
What has CRTT does in Catonsville?
- #8 Streetcar Path — With strong community support, including the Old Catonsville Neighborhood Association, CRTT restored (1996) and paved (2008) the #8 Streetcar Path in the 1600 block of Frederick Road (next to Matthew#s Restaurant). CRTT continues to maintain the #8 Strretcar Path and the 1939 waiting shelter near Dutton Ave. (behind 7-Eleven) with frequent cleanup days.
- Short Line — CRTT has acquired the rights to the Short Line Trail, with over 2.2 miles of pathways. To date, CRTT has removed and recycled over 125 tons of scrap metal and rail. Portions of the trails have already been cleared and are walkable.
- Bike Lanes — CRTT connected the #8 Streetcar Path to the #9 Trolley Trail with a marked bike lane and signage on Edmondson Avenue. CRTT worked with State Highway Administration to provide a bike lane and pedestrian friendly routes for new Frederick Road/beltway bridge.
- Since 1999 — CRTT has been an advocate for trails and has brought over $350,000 in grant money to the Catonsville area.
- Connection of UMBC to the greater Catonsville business district is an ongoing activity CRTT is pursuing, with UMBC as an active partner.
Catonsville Rails To Trails Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Thomas Ajluni – CRTT President – Director of Engineering – Hawk Institute for Space Sciences
David Horsch – CRTT Vice President – Fellow Engineer – Northrup Grumman
Lindsay Thompson – CRTT Treasurer – V.P., Engineering & Project Management – Colliers International
Thomas C. Bagg, III – CRTT Secretary – Systems Engineer/Technology Transfer – ASRC Research and Technology Solutions
BOARD MEMBERS
Michael Abrams Senior Research Analyst – The Hilltop Institute
Ray Bahr Natural Resource Planner – Maryland Dept. of the Environment
George Brookhart Realtor – Maryland Residential Realty
Steve Byron On-Line Help Developer – American Systems Corporation
Robin Farabaugh Senior Lecturer and Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty – UMBC
Charles Murphy Biologist, Electron Microscopy Unit – Agriculture Research Services, USDA
Joe Shryock Contractor – Tanglewood LLC
Sheldon Smith Senior Commercial Counsel – Motorola Law Department
Steven Sprecher - Development Director – Volunteers of America (Past CRTT President)
Maureen Sweeney Smith – Executive Director – Catonsville Community Foundation
