Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How long is the MA & PA Trail?
Question: Will the trails ever be connected?
Question: Are dogs allowed on the trail? What about horses?
Question: Where are the restrooms?
Question: Is water available on the trail?
Question: What do trail monitors do?
Question: Is the trail safe?
Question: What do the mile markers mean?
Question: When is the trail open?
Question: How can I help support the MA & PA Heritage Trail?
Question: Where can I park to access the Trail?
Question: Where can I get a map?
Question: How long is the MA & PA Trail?
Answer:
Bel Air section – (Williams St. to Tollgate Road): 1.9 miles.
Edgeley Grove section – (Tollgate Road to Annie’s Playground): 1.4 miles
Note: The Bel Air & Edgeley Grove sections connect at the vicinity of 702 N. Tollgate Road
Forest Hill section – (Blake’s Venture at Melrose Lane to Friends Park): 1.7 miles
Question: Will the trails ever be connected?
Answer: The Board of Directors and members of the MA & PA Heritage Trail, Inc. look forward to the day when the trail will stretch from Edgeley Grove in Fallston, through Bel Air and onto Forest Hill. This would make the trail a total of approximately seven miles. We are actively working with the County to secure land purchases and/or exchanges that will make that possible.
This new trail would roughly follow the following route:
- From Williams Street trail head – continue toward and cross Main Street; north past Ellendale St.
- Between the Self Storage Plus and the dry cleaner, approximately along the telephone wires right-of-way
- Behind the Hickory Hills Condominium on MA & PA Road, crossing Moores Mill Rd.
- Along the backside of the Bel Air Memorial Gardens, across North Ave and behind the Harford County Detention Center
- Under Rt. 1 (tunnel already constructed) and up to Bynum Run Rd. connecting to Melrose Lane
- This trail segment will be approximately 2 miles long.
Question: Are dogs allowed on the trail? What about horses?
Answer: Dogs are welcome on the trails, but they must be leashed at all times, on a leash not to exceed six feet long.
A dog park, located on the Tollgate Road side of the Bel Air trail, has fenced areas in which dog owners may let their animals off a leash. Naturally, so that all may enjoy the trail, dog owners should clean up after their pets in both the dog park and on the trails. Dogs even become members of the trail!
Horses are allowed only on the Bel Air trail section from Williams St. to Tollgate Road.
Question: Where are the restrooms?
Answer: There are permanent bathroom facilities at Annie’s Playground, Tollgate Road (the Woodwork shop), Melrose Lane and Friends Park. Temporary facilities are at the Williams Street parking lot and near the 1.75 mile marker (beneath the Bel Air overpass). The permanent restrooms are open from April 1 – November 15.
Question: Is water available on the trail?
Answer: Water fountains operate between April 1 and November 15 and are located at Annie’s Playground, Tollgate Road, Melrose Lane and Friends Park and Williams Street.
Question: What do trail monitors do?
Answer: Volunteer trail monitors help the Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation maintain a visible presence on the trail. They answer questions, report maintenance issues to the county and can handle minor issues of concern (such as requesting that a dog owner leash his/her dog.) The monitors carry cell phones and can call for emergency assistance if needed.
Answer: There have been few reports of crime in the 10+ years that the trail has been open. In most areas, the trails are in close proximity to roadways and neighborhoods. The local police department, as well as trail monitors, randomly patrols the trails.
However, as in any public place, citizens are urged to follow their usual safety precautions. These may include walking with a partner, carrying a cell phone, using the trail during daytime hours and being aware of people and surroundings. The trails are open from sunrise to dusk all year and citizens are encouraged to use the trails only during those times. If an emergency does occur, take note of the number on the nearest trail mile marker and call 911.
Question: What do the mile markers mean?
Answer: On the Bel Air/Edgeley Grove section, brown markers measure quarter miles starting from Annie’s Playground. In Forest Hill, they measure quarter miles starting from Melrose Lane at 5.0.
If you need to tell someone your location or report an emergency on the trail, tell the police or 911 dispatcher where you are by using the number on the closest trail markers. The markers are arranged as if the Bel Air and Forest Hill trails are connected. (There is a plan to connect these trails in the future.)
Question: When is the trail open?
Answer: The trail is open all year from sun up to sun down.
Question: How can I help support the MA & PA Heritage Trail?
Answer: We appreciate all support!
- Click here to buy an official ‘MA & PA Trail’ shirt.
- Become an official member of the MA & PA Heritage Trail.
- Come to our quarterly membership meetings. Volunteers can join subcommittees to help us succeed in our mission.
Question: Where can I park to access the Trail?
Answer: There is ample parking at all trail heads and at the two spurs along the Bel Air section: the Liriodendron Mansion and the Bel Air Post Office.
Question: Where can I get a map?
Answer: You can download one here.