The two ends of the MA & PA trail in Bel Air are at Heavenly Waters Park (703 N. Tollgate Road) and at Williams St. (turn onto Ellendale St. from 924N). Trail length: 1.9 miles.
The trail winds into wooded, moderately sloped sections, through a tunnel underneath Rt. 24 and alongside N. Tollgate road to its northern point. Significant sights along the way include:
A side trail (steeply sloped) to Liriodendron, the former summer home of Laetitia and Howard Kelly. Dr Kelly was a successful surgeon and founding member of the Johns Hopkins Medical College. The Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation currently maintains the property as an events venue and small museum.
An overlook view of the Harford County Equestrian Center and the surrounding countryside that was visible to train passengers on the MA & PA Railroad.
A winding boardwalk on the Edgeley Grove trail section
The Edgeley Grove Section
The Edgeley Grove section connects the
Bel Air trail segment at Tollgate Road to Edgeley Grove Farm in Benson.
From the area of 702 N.Tollgate Road, the trail winds behind the
Harford County Equestrian Center, across Winters Run and traverses the
hillside to Edgeley Grove Farm (the site of Annie’s Playground).
Length: 1.4 miles.
Along the way, you will see:
Two scenic overlooks, 880 feet of boardwalk and a 90-foot crossing over Winters Run
A historic bitternut hickory tree
45 new trees - 15 sycamores, 15
red maples and 15 tulip trees - that will (eventually!) provide shade
in the meadow that leads up to Annie’s Playground
The Forest Hill Section
Picnickers and those attending recreation league games at Friends Park can set out for a walk on the trail that is adjacent to the ball fields and that winds it way to Blake's Venture Park. Trail length: 1.7 miles.
© Copyright 2008 MA & PA Heritage Trail, Inc. | Bel Air, MD 21014
