This is an unaffiliated request

Greenbelt walkers/bikers blocked from using Research Road through BARC Archived

Research Road Greenbelt, MD Show on Map Hide Map
Move the marker to represent your issue's location. The address will not change.

Репортер

(Guest)

Issue ID:

124014

Submitted To:

Community

Category:

None

Viewed:

2024 times

Neighborhood:

Prince George's County

Reported:

on

Description

There is a gate located at the top of Research Road separating "old" Greenbelt from the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), which was replaced in late May 2011. Before this time, for as long as anyone can recall, pedestrians and bikers were allowed to use the roughly one-mile gated road section for low-impact recreation when it was closed to thru-traffic (nights, weekends, holidays). This is a lovely natural, peaceful setting where herons, foxes, deer, eagles, beavers, snakes, otters, rabbits, muskrats, geese, ducks and other wildlife can be sighted. Many Greenbelt residents walked or biked this road, not impeding on any research activities or otherwise disturbing the area. Before May there was even a side opening on the gate where people could pass through during its locked hours and further, it wasn't difficult to slide a bike under the old gate. After the new gate was installed, however, the pass-through was covered over and in July a sign was posted indicating "No trespassing" when the road is closed to vehicular traffic. Word trickling back from BARC is that the changes are "security" related, but it has been difficult to get a dialogue or real response from them. Also, it should be noted that there is another gate approximately one mile down Research Road (intersecting Beaverdam Road) which is left open. Greenbelt residents get the impression that it is them in particular that are being denied access. This new gate was installed without any notice to Greenbelt or its Council or any indication something was amiss. Greenbelt residents, me very much included, would like the pedestrian pass-through re-opened and for walkers & bikers to be permitted by BARC to once again use this roughly one-mile section of Research Road when it is closed to vehicles. We love and treasure this bucolic, peaceful locale very much and would like to continue to use it as we have for decades.


Nearby Issues

2 Comments

  • Greenbelt City Manager (Guest)

  • Закрыта C Zanin (Guest)

Comments are closed for archived issues.