New Maryland Rail-Trail:

Charles County, outside Washington D.C., gains a 13-mile addition for rail trail

La Plata, MD –The National Park Service's Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) program transferred, at no cost, a 13.4 mile (160-acre) abandoned railroad corridor to Charles County for a new rail-trail. Since 1918, the rail line served the needs of the Naval Surface Warfare Center on the Potomac River near Indian Head. Valued at just over $3,060,000, Charles County will develop a walking and bicycling trail between Indian Head and White Plains, Maryland, traversing the western half of the county.

This rail corridor had been identified by the County as a critical addition in their Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan. Transfer of this surplus rail corridor will further the County’s goals of creating a countywide trail and greenway system by providing a continuous pedestrian pathway between the center of the County (Waldorf/La Plata) and the Potomac River at Mattawoman Creek.