A happy trail to cyclists, artists

Brian Behe, a bicyclist, enjoys riding on the newly completed Indian Head Rail Trail, which opened last month.

"The scenery is nice, and the length is fantastic," said Behe, of Indian Head, who was cycling on the trail recently.

The 13-mile trail runs from Indian Head to White Plains on an abandoned rail bed. Two portions of the trail -- a two-mile segment in White Plains and a 2.7-mile segment in Indian Head -- opened in December.

"It's a huge asset for Charles County and our region," said Tom Roland, chief of parks and recreation for Charles County. "We anticipate the Indian Head Rail Trail being one of our most-visited parks."

Ray Gamache, a jogger from Indian Head, was on the trail training for a marathon Oct. 9. He said the trail is "the best thing for the community, because it forces people to exercise." He said he sees a lot of families using the trail.

Local painters Lynn Mehta, Sally Parker and Barbara Stepura said they frequent the trail for artistic inspiration.

On a recent Friday, they were on the trail near Bumpy Oak Road painting in the natural light. "Southern Maryland is beautiful," said Stepura, of White Plains.

The trail provides great scenery and a safe place that is off the road, she said, and is "great for painters."

Don Porada is among a group of volunteers helping to maintaining the trail

"It's great to have [the trail] so close to home, and it's hard to believe it's right in the middle of Charles County," he said.

The trail includes 12 road crossings.

"We are cautioning users to stop at the stop signs on the trail and check traffic on the roadways," Roland said.