MA & PA Heritage Trail, Inc.

Rod Bourn, President
c/o Harford County Parks & Recreation Department

702 N. Tollgate Road
Bel Air, MD 21014
Email: Contact us

Accessing the Trails


The Bel Air trail

Bike Riding Trail End
The trailhead at Williams St 703 N. Tollgate Rd (at Heavenly Waters Park)

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 lighted tunnel that goes under MD Rt. 24

 

The Dog Park at the Bel Air trail

Dog by bench Dog drinking water

The dog park is located beyond the end of the Bel Air trail at Heavenly Waters Park.
Dogs can play and run free in a fenced area. There are separate areas for large and small dogs. Click here to learn more about Harford County’s MA & PA dog park rules.

 

The Forest Hill section

Blake's Venture Friends Park
Blake’s Venture off Melrose Lane Friends Park

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.

Points along the way include:

  • A deck that overlooks an active marsh
  •  Well-tended backyard gardens
  •  A tunnel that goes under MD Rt.23

 

Edgeley Grove (Future)

Ribbon cutting Edgeley Grove Map

Watch this space for construction progress reports on the long-awaited Bel Air trail extension. The trail will begin behind the Harford County Equestrian Center, cross Winters Run and traverse the hillside to Edgeley Grove Farm (the site of Annie’s Playground.)

MA & PA trial President Mike Early (L) joined Harford County officials and trail enthusiasts at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 30, 2007.