Raystown Lake honored as Corps project of the year

Published Nov. 19, 2014

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District Raystown Lake project was named the 2014 Natural Resources Management project of the year and presented the award by Brig. Gen. Kent Savre, commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division.

Raystown Lake was selected for its management efficiencies, ability to attract meaningful partnerships that enhance the project’s recreation and environmental stewardship programs, and its creative and thoughtful planning of new recreation facilities.

Raystown Lake’s signature project, the Greenside Pathway, was constructed in 2013 after concerns about visitors walking the busy park roadways. Through a grant request to the Federal Transit Administration’s Alternative Transportation in Public Parks and Lands Program, the project was funded through an award of more than $854,000 for the construction of a pedestrian corridor.  The 2.5 mile corridor connects 19 recreation areas and is made with over 38,000 recycled tires. 

The Allegrippis Trail System, operated by the Friends of Raystown Lake and maintained by the Raystown Mountain Biking Association, is one of the project’s most popular features.   In 2013, the group held its annual trail advocacy event called “Dirt Fest” which drew over 1,600 cyclists from 40 states. The event raised over $8,000 for continuing trail maintenance activities.

Raystown Lake was recognized for its balanced approach to using both recreation and environmental stewardship partnerships to obtain funding and leverage existing operational funds.  In 2013, Raystown ranked 8th in the nation in partnership value with a total contributed value of $1.7 million.   Partners were involved in recreation facility upgrades, presenting environmental education, providing funding for habitat restoration and were involved in promoting safety.

Raystown Lake Project is one of 422 lake and river projects in 43 states, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  It was selected as the Chief of Engineers Natural Resources Management Project of the Year in 1998 and now in 2014.

For more information about Raystown Lake visit www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamsRecreation/Raystown.aspx


Contact
Nick Krupa
814-658-6801
nicholas.e.krupa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-033