This past weekend, there were several documented incidents involving youth assaulting users of the Jones Falls Trail in the vicinity of the switchbacks between Falls Road and the Stieff Silver building. Over the years, flare ups of these incidents are infrequent enough that police patrolling and brush clearance have been ineffective, but frequent enough that we must make structural changes to the trail.
Short Term
This week we are stationing volunteers on the switchbacks between Falls Road and the Stieff Silver Building on Wyman Park Drive. You'll be stationed with a group of volunteers to have added presence and eyes on the street and trail. You'll also be asking folks that are passing to sign a petition demanding immediate brush clearance and trail improvements including lights, cameras, and an emergency call box.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to sign the petition now or to sign up to volunteer.
Long Term
Baltimore City has applied for a Maryland Bikeways grant to redesign the Jones Falls Trail along the Falls Road corridor. Bikemore is serving on the steering committee for this project, hosted by Central Baltimore Partnership, and will advocate for improved trail security as part of the redesign. Initial public meetings around this project will occur this winter and early spring, and we will encourage you to attend and advocate for changes you would like to see on this portion of the trail.
Bikemore is also part of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network Coalition, advocating for the creation of a connected trail loop network in Baltimore by combining existing trails with new connections. This project would dramatically increase trail usage/eyes on the street while allowing us to invest in trail maintenance and technology to increase safety.
Online Petition
I demand Baltimore City immediately add the section of Jones Falls Trail between Falls Road and Stieff Silver on Wyman Park Drive to regular police patrol, remove and cut back brush on the switchbacks, and install lighting, cameras, and emergency call boxes.