Easton’s Rails-to-Trails Takes an Important New Path

Pictured: Left to right: Karen Weber Millstein – HOA President, Easton Village Ron Engle – Town of Easton Councilman Delegate Chris Adams Mayor Robert Willey Don Richardson – Town of Easton Town Manager Megan Cook – President of Town of Easton Council Gabrielle Leach – Chief of Staff, Senator Addie Eckhardt – Al Silverstein- Town of Easton Councilman Pete Lesher – Talbot County Councilman

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 17th, celebrating the completion of the Easton Rails-to-Trails, connecting the Easton Point footbridge on W. Glenwood Ave. to Easton Village. Rick Van Emburgh, Town Engineer, introduced invited dignitaries, including State Delegates, Councilmen and Councilwomen, Easton Village representatives, Director of Parks & Recreation, members of the Easton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC), and others.

Rick Van Emburgh

Emburgh also discussed future proposals for the project, which will connect the existing trail to the west side of town. Additional plans include building a small parking lot for the trail in Waterside Village, near the St. Michaels road traffic signal. When complete, there will be five and a half miles of trail in the town of Easton.

Emburgh introduced Kody Cario, Town of Easton Project Manager, who discussed the future of Easton Point Park, which will serve as a destination for the town’s multi-use trail users. Plans also include creating a living shoreline of over 1100 feet and addressing any erosion by installing a regenerative stormwater conveyance. “Additionally,” says Cario, “we’ll provide almost an acre of natural salt marsh habitat to support our native waterfowl populations.”

The Public Works Department was recognized for their contribution. Said Don Richardson, Town Manager, “The town of Easton is extremely proud of the transformation that our Public Works Department has gone through in being able to construct and build this trail for the town of Easton and its residents. It has taken thousands of hours of their time to get it to this point. And we think it’s been done in a top-notch way.”

“The completion of the Rails-to-Trails,” said Executive Director Tracy Ward, “linking Easton Village to Easton Point via the pedestrian bridge is a critical first step in connecting Easton’s waterfront to its historic Downtown.”

This project is also part of the Port Street Small Area Master Plan developed by the Town of Easton and the EEDC. The long-term planning effort addresses development, demolition, renovation, and infill of various sites.

“This is the Northern end of the connection of the whole Port Street Redevelopment, said Easton Mayor Robert Willey. “The water towards the St. Michaels road is hopefully going to become a kayaking area, with paddle boats, canoes, and what have you. Towards the South will be the main park, where we hope to relocate the boat ramp. So, this is just the start of it.”

Terry Gleim, a resident of Easton Village, said: ‘We love being able to walk or ride our bikes to town. We keep our boat over on Port street, so we can ride our bikes over to the marina. It’s been a great addition to the neighborhood. When we moved in five years ago, they promised us this trail. We’re delighted it’s here.

The Easton Rails-to-Trails opened in 1998 and has been a popular spot for walking, jogging, dog walking, biking, and sightseeing.

See map here or below.