Where in Bowie? #5 - Answer revealed

In a previous post, I asked where this picture was taken in Bowie.

Bill from Bill's Baro Clinic blog correctly guessed that this picture was taken along the WB&A Trail between the Omaha Beach Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Berwyn Rod & Gun Club.

This section of the WB&A Trail runs along the former Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad right of way. I don't know the history of this structure, but it may have been a water tower for the railroad.

A view from the trail. The view of this structure is partially blocked by leaves during the summer. Joggers and bikers might not even realize it's there.

Another view from the trail.

We took a walking and biking trip along a section of the WB&A trail last Sunday. We started our trip at the parking lot off Race Track Road.

Trail Dedication. Morris J. Warren was a long time Bowie resident, and, according to the Wash Cycle blog, he is considered to be the driving force behind the creation of the WB&A trail. In 2008, the City of Bowie recommended (PDF) that the trail's future bridge over the Patuxent River be named in honor of Morris Warren.

The Tunnel Under Race Track Road

I was surprised to see snow still covering part of the trail.

Some of the old rails are still visible near the deck by Race Track Road.

Thanks Wiggans Family!

Loud gunfire can sometimes be heard because of the trail's close proximity to the Berwyn Rod & Gun Club.

A sound barrier helps dampen the sound of gunfire.

Something doesn't seem right about putting bike helmets on your kids for safety and letting them ride by a shooting range.

Someone painted a bit of graffiti after our last visit in the fall.

Part of the trail must be shared with cars, although cars rarely come by.

Berwyn Rod & Gun Club. The club has been at this location for a long time.

The City of Bowie purchased a 12.8 acre property adjacent to the trail near the water tower in June, 2009 for about $500,000. The funding came from a State grant as part of Program Open Space. Program Open Space is described on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Web site as follows:

Program Open Space (POS) acquires recreation and open space areas for public use. The Program administers funds made available to local communities for open and recreational space through the State real estate transfer tax and from federal programs, such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The Program coordinates the acquisition of lands for the use of all units of DNR.

I don't know what the future plans are for this property.