Downs Park Trail:
Maryland
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Description:
From www.aacounty.org: Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, Downs Park offers a variety of natural and recreational activities throughout its 245 acres. Pavilion rentals and weddings in "Mother's Garden" are available in season. Popular with bicyclists and walkers, Downs Park offers more than five miles of paved and natural trails (the perimeter trail is paved and 3.5 miles long). A youth group camping area is available for organized youth groups. Volunteers play a very important role in the success of Downs Park. The park property has a rich history which has been preserved by the Downs Park Historical Society. Entry fees are charged for vehicles entering the park. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Downs Park is a unit of the Specialized Facilities Division of the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Contact information for John H. Downs Memorial Park: 8311 John Downs Loop, Pasadena, MD 21122; 410-222-6230; Fax: 410-222-6238; 24-hour Events Line: 410-222-6239.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Take 695 to Glen Burnie followed by 10 South. Stay on the left side to Gibson Island. It's about five miles to the park entrance on the right.

Vehicle Entry Fees:
Daily: $5.00
Annual Permits: $25.00
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Seasonal Restrictions:
Park Hours: 9:00 a.m. to dusk; closed on Tuesdays.

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed on Tuesdays.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Curvy, older trail with Chesapeake Bay views in a nice park.
By redcat72 on June 23, 2009
http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/downs/
John H. Downs Memorial Park is only about 35-40 minutes away from Columbia, MD. The Perimeter Trail (3.5 miles) is mostly older asphalt, with several bumpy spots due to tree roots. It is quite a curvy trail, so not many opportunities to get up to any real speed. There were only a small number of pedestrians on the trail when I rode this past Sunday evening. The park is doing a free concert series this Summer. The Perimeter Trail a lovely and fairly secluded ride through mostly wooded area, some marshy spots, a few open areas, and a little over a mile of the trail goes along the Chesapeake Bay. The signage for the Perimeter Trail is not very clear at some points, but you can obtain a map at the visitor center. Many of the trails meet each other, so it would be difficult to get lost. There are pavilions, restrooms, and water fountains along the way. For your four legged friends there is a dog beach right off the trail along the Bay. Overall it is a nice trail in a lovely park to do a few loops around. $5.00 per vehicle park admission (2009.)
Nice family ride
By Andy on April 15, 2007
This is a nice family ride. I pulled my 3yr old in her trailer. She loved it! Nice view of the Bay and plenty of wooded trail! Good beginner path. Not to mention Downs Park is very nice!
Well liked
By Frank Tilghman on November 20, 2003
This is a paved trail that runs beside the Chesapeake Bay for about 1/4 mile. Keep riding and you will feel like you have gone back in time. The trail has lots of natural woods and a small hill to overcome but come out early because after 12:00 p.m. the little ones come with their families and you must slow down your speed to keep it safe for everybody.

I definitely like this trail a lot.
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