Save the Trail

Website of the
The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition

Our philosophy is to foster the creation of green space in the urban environment.


kids on bikes
The trail is family friendly:
Let's keep it that way!

Who we are

Call to action: URGENT--May 31st Major Trail Event

How to join

How to contact us

Petition to save the trail

News updates

Opinion updates 

Contact your political representative

Our Newsletter

Lost and Found


a view from the observation deck
GBCCC helped pay for the
observation deck over Rock Creek!

Hosted by Community Web--Get your Neighborhood or Local Organization Online in Minutes!

Call to action: Major Trail Event on May 31

Come Show Your Support for the Capital Crescent Trail!

Saturday, May 31, 10:30 a.m

Whether you’re a biker, jogger, walker or nature lover, Saturday, May 31, is your chance to show your support for the Capital Crescent Trail and learn how proposed light rail trains on the Trail will devastate this treasured resource.

17 communities will take part in this family-friendly and informational event, “Connect with the Capital Crescent Trail,” from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Activities begin at Elm Street Park in Bethesda (at the east end of the Tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue) and continue east along the Trail. Come find out about nature along the Trail and the impact of the proposed Purple Line.

What’s the Urgency?

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for all proposed Purple Line alignments is scheduled for release in August, but the Purple Line on the Trail is the only alternative the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seriously considering.

We must show elected officials and media how important this beautiful, green community resource is to the public, and how it is threatened along the proposed Purple Line route.

We want MTA to consider alternatives that will serve more people, cost less and preserve the Trail.

Invest A Morning, Show Your Support

For more information, and/or to volunteer to help out on May 31:

Contact Pam Browning  at:

pbrow@verizon.net.



The Inner Purple Line would have a devastating effect on the Capital Crescent Trail and the surrounding communities


  • There is no transit system in the United States that runs trains so frequently and so fast, while running trains so close to a popular trail, homes, and apartments, as the proposed light rail, Inner Purple Line between Bethesda and Silver Spring.
  • 300 foot trains would run less than 10 feet from the edge of the Capital Crescent Trail, at speeds up to 55 mph, destroying the peace and safety of this popular regional trail;
  • Trains would pass every 3 minutes less than 30 feet from many homes and apartments - destroying the property values and tranquility of many neighborhoods;
  • Over 4,500 trees would be clear-cut -- destroying a beautiful natural buffer that protects residential communities and the trail from pollution and noise.

The Inner Purple Line lacks vision and would fail to meet the long term transportation needs of the Region.   Studies have shown:

  • The Inner Purple Line would fail to provide any relief from our existing and predicted future traffic congestion;
  • It would fail to directly connect the two arms of Metro's Red Line;
  • It would require inconvenient transfers from the metro, to the light rail, and back to Metro;
  • It would fail to take cars off the road;
  • It would fail to reduce pollution;
  • It would require the creation of a totally new and separate transportation system, with new operating systems, new operators, new cars and separate maintenance systems.
  • A continuous Metro system would be faster, carry more riders, provide quicker connections, and have greater potential for expansion.

Where
You Should Write:

Please send your letters to the addresses below (fax and email copies in addition to mailing your letters, but send hard copies if you can):

Governor Martin O'Malley
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Email: governor@gov.state.md.us
fax: 1-410-974-3275

Secretary John Porcari
Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
fax: 1-410- 865-1338


Background:

Inner Purple Line advocates are lobbying hard to run a high speed rail line down the trail.  Developers have much to gain from an Inner Purple Line.  The Inner Purple Line has the vigorous support of the Chevy Chase Land Company and the Board of Trade. 

Chevy Chase Land Company has been purchasing land to develop, including the Perry Lumber Company, adjacent to the proposed Inner Purple Line station on Connecticut Avenue.  If the Inner Purple line is constructed, development ceilings will be raised in downtown Bethesda and along Connecticut Avenue, increasing traffic congestion.

According to the Gazette, developers and Inner Purple Line supporters raised $60,000 to spend in their efforts to push the Inner Purple Line.  Ed Asher, President of Chevy Chase Land Company has threatened to reclaim the easement for the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring if a light rail transit system is not constructed alongside the trail.  While we are convinced that such an effort is without legal merit, it demonstrates the material interests involved in the proposed degradation of the trail.

Petition Drive to Save the Trail (www.savethetrailpetition.org)

The Petition Drive to Save the Trail collected over 10,000 signatures to save the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring.  The Petition states:

“We, the undersigned, want to save the Trail and the trees between Bethesda and Silver Spring.  Please construct the Purple Line either as an underground Metro line between Bethesda and Silver Spring, or in another location, such as the Outer Purple Line.”

The Petition Drive reflects the breadth and depth of feeling, among the thousands who use the trail, that the proposed light rail project and a beautiful, natural trail are simply incompatible.

The Petition Drive was organized by Pam Browning, with over 100 individuals volunteering to assist in this effort.  Copies of the Petitions were presented to the County Executive and passed on to the County Council.


  News UPDATES 

GBCCC VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP THE TRAIL!

cleaning upOn Saturday June 29, 2006 three GBCCC volunteers (Rolf Sinclair, Rob Zakroff,after the cleanup and John Warnock) whacked weeds over half the stretch of the trail between Jones Mill Road and the Trestle.  In the process they uncovered, as expected, additional breaks or other damage to the fencing.  The picture at left was taken during the cleanup while the one at right shows the finished product: a clean fence! John reports, "I had no real appreciation before then of just how heavy the vines on just one segment of the fencing can be.  In some places, they quite literally bend the boards." He'll be at it again next Saturday and welcomes anyone to join him.


THE WASHINGTON POST PICKS THE CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN WALKS IN THE AREA:
"A Capital Affair."

CELEBRATION HONORS IKE LEGGETT

Howard Denis and Ike Leggett

On April 17, 2004, the GBCCC and the Town of Chevy Chase sponsored an event on the trail in honor of  former long-time County Council member and current chair of Maryland's Democratic Party  "Ike" Leggett (pictuured at right with County Councilmember Howard Denis).   The ceremony featured the dedication of a plaque with three specially planted trees and two benches on the broad area where the Trail  reaches the western side of Connecticut Avenue.  A large turnout of  public figures, trail activists and members of the general public assembled to show their appreciation for all that "Ike" has done over the years to help make the Trail the reality it is.  And in keeping with the spirit of the event, the sun shone and we were treated to a splendid, even hot, Spring day.

refreshment stand

     Following welcoming remarks by  GBCCC president Warnock and  Chevy Chase Mayor Wolf,  past GBCCC presidents Tony Czajkowski and Ira Shesser reminded the group of all that Leggett has done over the years for the Trail.  They were followed by County Executive Duncan, Senator Sharon Grosfeld, and County Council Members Denis and Floreen. 

Following the reading of the plaque by GBCCC vice president Vollmer, "Ike" addressed the gathering,  which also included representatives of  the Govenor and Maryland Transportation Secretray Flanagan, reminding them of the treasure that the Trail represents and predicting it will endure.

    Refreshments, provided by Starbucks, the Einstein Brothers, Hyatt Classic Residence and the GBCCC followed, with balloons for the younger members of the audience.

For more stories from our archives click here.


                             PLEASE CONTRIBUTE GENEROUSLY: 

We need your help! 

Send your Contributions to:  GBCCC, 8713 Susanna Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
All contributions to GBCCC are tax deductible.  Thank you!



Opinions

Rolf Sinclair's (unpublished) Letter to Dr.Gridlock on why the Purple Line is NOT part of METRO

Isaac Hantman's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Long Distance Opinion"

Isaac Hantman's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Impact of Purple Line Goes Beyond Golf Course"

Pam Browning's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Opponents cite Reasons to Oppose Purple Line"

Jane Lawton's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Lawton Supports Underground Purple Line"

John Warnock's Letter to the Washington Post on "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Isaac Hantman's letter to the Washington Post on destruction to the trail by the Purple Line plan

I. Dean Ahmad's letter to The Washington Post on problems the train poses for the trail

John Warnock's Letter to the Washington Post on Enviromental Effects of the Purple Line

GBCCC Sept. 30, 2004 Testimony to Planning Board on the Purple Line Proposal

I. Dean Ahmad's Letter to the Montgomery Journal on the Montgomory County Civic Federation's Position on the Inner Purple Line

GBCCC Letter to Transportation Secretary Flanigan in Support of  Better Bi-County Transportation to Job Centers

GBCCC Testimony to Planning Board on the Hybrid Purple Line Proposal

Pam Browning's Testimony on the GoMontgomery! Transportation Plan

Pam Browning's Article in the Sierra Club Newsletter The Chesapeake [The article represents the views of the author and is not the official policy of the Sierra Club]

Bob Levy's Washington Post Article on the Capital Crescent Trail

Letter sent by the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club to Governor Glendening

______________________________________________________________________

Join the GBCCC!  

Name:    ____________________________________________

Address:    ____________________________________________

        ____________________________________________

Phone:    ____________________________________________

Email:    ____________________________________________

Fax:        ____________________________________________

I am enclosing a check to help GBCCC continue to protect the Interim Trail and the quality of life in the greater Bethesda - Chevy Chase area

Contribution Amount:   $25____     $50____     $100____     $200____   Other _____(All contributions are tax deductible.  Please make checks out to GBCCC.) Send this form and contributions to: GBCCC, 7622 Lynn Drive, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

I would like to volunteer in the effort to save the trail: ____________

Petitioning_______Leafleting______Writing_______Web-Site ______
Lobbying _______Other_____________________________
Please contact me at:  ____________________


  FEDERAL/STATE/COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS

FEDERAL

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES president@whitehouse.gov

The White House Washington, DC 20500 (202) 456-1414 FAX (202) 456-2461

VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES vicepresident@whitehouse.gov

The White House Washington, DC 20500(202) 456-1414 FAX (202) 456-2461 

U. S. SENATE Barbara A. Mikulski (D)  senator@mikulski.senate.gov

709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-4654 FAX (202) 224-8858

U. S. SENATE Ben Cardin (D) senator@cardin.senate.gov

SDB40B Dirkson Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-4524 FAX (202) 224-1651 

U. S. CONGRESS, 4th DISTRICT Albert Wynn (D) Albert.Wynn@mail.house.gov

434 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-8699 FAX (202) 225-8714

U. S. CONGRESS, 8th DISTRICTChris Van Hollen (D) vanhollen@mail.house.gov

1707 Longworth House Office Build. Washington, DC 20515(202) 225-5341 FAX (202) 225-1389


MARYLAND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

GOVERNOR Martin O'Malley (D)  governor@gov.state.md.us

The State House Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 974-3901 FAX (410) 974-3275

LT. GOVERNOR Anthony G. Brown (D) ltgovernor@gov.state.md.us  

The State House Annapolis, MD 21401(410) 974-2804 FAX (410) 974-5252

COMPTROLLER Peter Franchot (D) pfranchot@comp.state.md.us

State Treasury Building 80 Calvert Street Annapolis, MD 21404 1-800-552-3941FAX (410) 974-3808

ATTORNEY GENERAL Duglas F. Gansler (D) OAG@oag.state.md.us

200 St. Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202-2021 (410)470-7534 (TOLL FREE) FAX (410) 576-7003


MONTGOMERY COUNTY GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

Click here for a List of Members of the Maryland State Senate.

Click here for a list of members of the Maryland House of Delegates.



MONTGOMERY COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS

COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Ike Leggett (D) 

101 Monroe Street Rockville, MD 20850 (240) 777-2500 FAX (240) 777-2517 ocemail@co.mo.md.us

COUNTY COUNCIL

Stella B. Werner Office Building 100 Maryland Avenue Rockville, MD 20850

(240) 777-7900 FAX (240) 777-7989 county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov

At Large Nancy Floreen (D)(240) 777-7959  councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov

At Large George L. Leventhal (D)(240) 777-7811  councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov

At Large Marc Elrich (D)(240) 777-7966 Councilmember.Elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov

At large  Duchy Trachtenberg (D)(240) 777-7964  Councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov

District 1  Roger Berliner (D) 240-777-7828  Councilmember.Berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov
District 2 Mike Knapp (D)(240) 777-7955 Councilmember.Knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov

District 3 Philip M. Andrews (D)(240) 777-7906 Councilmember.Andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov

District 4 Marilyn J. Praisner (D)(240) 777-7968  Councilmember.Praisner@montgomerycountymd.gov

District 5 Valerie Ervin (D) (240) 777-7960Councilmember.Ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov

Address: Council Office Bldg., 100 MarylandAve., Rockville, MD 20850

Telephone: 301-217-7900; Fax: 301-217-7989.


Who is the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition?

GBCCC is a non-profit coalition of over 30 citizen groups and several town governments dedicated to the preservation and protection of existing parkland and open spaces and the promotion of recreational and conservation activities in the parks and open spaces within neighborhoods located in the lower portion of Montgomery County, Maryland, and to educating and informing the residents of Montgomery County, Maryland and its environs about issues and events affecting the general welfare and quality of life of the community, to working with government agencies and other organizations in promoting the establishment of parks for recreational and conservation purposes and the preservation of open spaces, to promoting the common good and general well-being of the community and its residents, and to otherwise bring about civic betterments and social improvements. Among other things, we have been fighting to preserve the green space of the Capital Crescent Trail -- Georgetown Branch -- right-of-way as solely a hiker/biker trail. We accept tax-deductible donations to be used for trail amenities, trail construction and legal defense of green space and have been in operation for over a decade.

Officers:

President:       Mier Wolf

Vice Presidents:    Deborah Vollmer, Rolf Sinclair

Treasurer:     Patricia O'Connor Finn

Secretary:     I. Dean Ahmad

Board of Directors:

I. Dean Ahmad                Patricia Baptiste              Pam Browning           

Anthony Czajkowski      Beverly Denbo                  Edward J. Finn    

Patricia O'Connor Finn  Jay Hansen                      Isaac Hantman     

Roger Mitchell                Scott Orbach                    Ira Shesser                      

Rolf Sinclair                    Jerry Taylor                     Catherine Titus               

Deborah Vollmer            John Warnock                  Mier Wolf                        

Rob Zakroff

The following are the citizen groups and town governments in the coalition.


Cabin John Citizens Association

Chevy Chase Hills Civic Association

Chevy Chase Valley Civic Association

Citizens Coordinating Committee of Friendship Heights

Coalition for The Capital Crescent Trail

Columbia Country Club

Coquelin Run Civic Association

East Bethesda Citizens Association

Forest Glen Civic Association

Forest Heights Village

The Hamlet Civic Association

Cameron House Civic Association

Hamlet Place Owners Inc.

Kenwood Citizens Association

Kenwood Condominium

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Kenwood Forest Condominium Association

Kenwood House 

Park Sutton Condominium Association

Residents Against the Transitway

Riviera Condominium

Riviera Condominium

Rollingwood Citizens Association

Springfield Civic Association

Sumner Citizens Association

Town of Chevy Chase

Town of Somerset

Westbard Mews Condominium

Westmoreland Citizens Association

Westwood Mews

Westwood Mews Association

Elm Street, Oakridge, and Lynn Civic Association

The GBCCC has been priviliged to cooperate with the many political figures from both parties, who  share our goals and objectives.  These include:

Congressman Christopher Von Hollen, 8th District

County Executive Douglas Duncan

State House Majority Leader John Hurson, 18th District

Council Member Howard Denis

Council Member Nancy Floreen

Delegate Richard Madaleno, Jr., 18th District

Mayor of the Town of Chevy Chase Mier Wolf

Mayor of the Town of Somerset Walter Behr

Former Mayor of Friendship Heights Dr. Alfred Muller

Former Delegate Leon G. Billings, 18th District

Former Delegate Sharon Grosfeld, 18th District

Former Council Member Gail Ewing

Former Council Member Nancy Dacek

Former Council Member Isaiah Leggett

Former Council Member Betty Ann Krahnke

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Contact GBCCC




Contact the following for source documents and clarification:

Mier Wolf, 301  654 2254








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