THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF DE!
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401
May 10,2019
Kevin D. Brandt, Superintendent
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Dear Superintendent Brandt:
We, the undersigned members of the Maryland General Assembly, are writing to express support
‘of the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s “Phase III, Towpath Rehabilitation: A Safe
‘Towpath” project being submitted for consideration for a grant through the Maryland
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) in 2019. Please include this letter in the application
package, whereby we also request favorable consideration of this project by the team assessing
TAP proposals.
We truly believe that repairs to the towpath will bring tangible benefits to our communities, as
well as a safer and improved experience for park visitors.
Local businesses are already reaping the economic benefit of the increase in park attendance
since the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail to Pittsburgh. Attendance topped 5
million for the first time in 2014, and in 2017, park visitors spent an estimated $89.5 million in
local gateway regions around the C&O Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP)..
This year's project is phase three of a five-phase program to address the worst portions of the
canal towpath and create a world-class riding and hiking surface for our visitors. TAP funding
will continue to match the $5 million the C&O Canal NHP has requested for this program over
five years.
We believe the State of Maryland would benefit considerably from the many Marylanders and
the out of state hikers/bikers that enjoy the C&O Canal National Historical Park
We, the undersigned members of the Maryland General Assembly, fully support the TAP
application being made by the park, and urge favorable consideration by the TAP assessment
team for the proposed Towpath Rehabilitation project.Sincerely
ator Brian Feldman
Senator Susan C. Lee
Delegate Kathleen Dumais
Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo
Delegate Ariana Kelly
Delegate Marc Korman
Delegate Sara N. Love
Delegate Lily Qi