About Us: Gwynns Falls Trail Advocates

Mission

To assure that the Gwynns Falls Trail meets the standards users expect of other area (and national) biker/hiker/jogger trails in terms of safety, maintenance, surface quality, appearance, directional signage, and recreational enjoyment.

Organization and Meetings

The Gwynns Falls Trail Advocates is a partnership organization, consisting of volunteers who are actively involved in the use and care of the trail as well as representative of the principal institutional partners for the trail: the Baltimore City Department of Recreation (BCDRP) and the Parks & People Foundation (P&P); also represented, as appropriate, are other related public and private agencies.

The Advocates promote the Gwynns Falls Trail, provide leadership for volunteer service, and monitor trail conditions as the basis for regular consultations with BCDRP and other City agencies. The Advocates serve as the steering committee for the tasks previously carried out by its predecessor organization, the Gwynns Falls Trail Council.

The bi-monthly meetings of the Gwynns Falls Advocates are open to all trail stakeholders. Meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of the following months: January, March, May, July, September, November. They are held at the Parks & People Foundation offices, 2100 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Md., 21217; for directions or information, call 410-448-5663.

Gwynns Falls Trail Advocates are expected annually to make membership contribution of $25 (or more) and/or to provide 25 hours of volunteer service on Trail projects.

The Parks & People Foundation serves as the host organization for the Gwynns Falls Trail Advocates and as the non-profit fiscal agent for its operation.

Accomplishments

For the past several years the GFTA has prepared an annual systematic report, “Revitalizing the Gwynns Falls Trail,” developed through regular monitoring of trail conditions and containing recommendations regarding action plans to maintain and improve it. The report has served as the basis for regular consultation with the Department of Recreation and Parks and other relevant City agencies (or other stakeholders).

GFTA members serve as team leaders for the service projects on the fourth Saturday of each month. To volunteer or learn more about these service opportunities, click on the “Volunteer” link at the bottom of the page.

Contact

You may contact the Gwynns Falls Trail Advocates with questions or comments by e-mail at: info@gwynnsfallstrail.org

Or address mail to Gwynns Falls Trail Advocates, care /of Parks & People Foundation, 2100 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Md., 21217