[RP TownTalk] re Bicycle and Trails Advisory Group (BTAG) meeting this Tuesday, July 17

[Dwight Holmes]

There is an extraordinary opportunity for Riverdalians interested in
promoting hiker/biker trails to meet with our county's Bicycle and
Trails Advisory Group (BTAG) along with the Hyattsville Bicycle and
Pedestrian Safety Committee at a convenient local, evening meeting
(Tuesday, July 17, 7 pm, Hyattsville City Hall, 4310 Gallatin Street.
(South on Route 1, pass Franklin's Restaurant, turn right onto
Gallatin St, it's on the right, directly across.the street from the
post office.)

Anne Villeacres of the Hyattsville committee invited us and she feels
this meeting is a good opportunity for us to make contacts, learn
about and create local energy for improving trails in RP.

Below is the email from BTAG announcing the meeting. I definitely plan
to attend (as does Rob Oppenheim) and we would love to have you join
us.

Much work has already gone into the Trolley Line bike trail project.
Personally, I'd like to help in any way I can, to build on that
foundation, and see Riverdale Park continue to become a greener,
friendlier and safer place for pedestrians and bikers.

About BTAG...

The County Executive's office created BTAG to coordinate, advise and
set bike trail development priorities and plans.

BTAG meetings are normally held during office hours in Upper Marlboro,
so this is a rare chance for interested citizens to attend a local,
evening meeting.  It's my understanding that this evening meeting is,
at least in part, in recognition of the dedicated, energetic and
successful efforts of the Hyattsville Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Committee.

Regular participants in BTAG meetings include the County Executive's
Office, the Planning Department, the Parks Department, the Department
of Environmental Resources, the State Highway Administration, the
Department of Public Works and Transportation, the National Park
Service (NPS), several Bicycle and Trail Clubs, municipalities and
civic associations.

More info about BTAG is available on their web page:
http://www.mncppc.org/Btag/BTAGmain.html

More info about the Hyattsville Bike an Pedestrian committee is
available here:
http://www.hyattsvillewiki.com/page/Bike+and+Pedestrian+Safety+Committee

Dwight Holmes
Riverdale Rd.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

"Shaffer, Fred" <Fred.Shaffer at ppd.mncppc.org> wrote:
Subject: BTAG Quarterly Meeting
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 13:43:22 -0400
From: "Shaffer, Fred" <Fred.Shaffer at ppd.mncppc.org>

The next quarterly meeting of the Prince George's County Bicycle and
Trails Advisory Group (BTAG) is scheduled for:
Tuesday, July 17th
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hyattsville City Hall
4310 Gallatin Street
Hyattsville

Please note the Tuesday meeting date and evening meeting time.   This
change from our usual meeting time was done to better coordinate with
the Hyattsville Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee.

Light refreshments will be served.

Issues on the agenda include:

Sidewalk retrofit/pedestrian safety needs in Hyattsville
Possible mountain bike skills park in Hyattsville
Master Plan of Transportation (Trails Element) – re-initiation and
upcoming fall workshops
South County Master Plan "Listening" Sessions with Trail User Groups
Paint Branch Trail Extension
Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail crossing of Paint Branch Parkway
BTAG letter to National Harbor

It will also be my pleasure to introduce Dan Janousek, a new planner
in the Transportation Section at M-NCPPC.  Dan will be spending
approximately 50% of his time working on bicycle, trail, and
pedestrian issues, and will be a big help ensuring that all of the
trail projects, area master plans, and inter-jurisdictional
coordination get the time and attention that they  warrant.  In
addition to working with BTAG, he will begin by working on some
subdivision review applications and the Subregion V Master Plan
update.  We will also be working together to bring the Trails GIS
Layer up-to-date.  Dan has previously worked on bicycle and trail
issues in Montgomery County.  Please forward to me additional agenda
items.  I can be reached via e-mail or at (301) 952-3661 for questions
or comments.