For the past few months, Catonsville Rails to Trails has been hit by vandals on the Number 8 Streetcar Path.
The 1939 waiting shelter was vandalized, healthy trees were stripped of bark and neighbors complained about trash and rowdy behavior of some who use the path.
Once again, Catonsville residents and friends of the trail came to the rescue.
The Maryland Transit Authority completely refurbished the waiting station. They replaced the roof plus most of the wood surfaces and reset the blocks at the base of the station. MTA completed the job with a fresh coat of paint. Thanks to George Fabula and Jim Hoover, as well as Rocky and Shawn, who performed the work.
Baltimore County Police and MTA police have teamed up and have a real presence on the trail. Thanks to Billy Rubie, John Spiroff and the MTA Police for working with us.
Mostly, thanks to the neighbors along the trail, who have become its stewards and report vandalism. Neighbors like John Dingle and John Jacob have used their chainsaws and tractor to keep it clean. Others created and maintain small gardens along the trail.
We need the Catonsville community to help us out again.
In three weeks, Kaleidoscope Arts Camp will restore the dirty, graffiti-laden mural, which was painted by Eagle Scout Clark LeCompte in 1997. We need financial help to buy paint and supplies.
Donations can be made to Kaleidoscope Arts Camp and mailed to 5820 Edmondson Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228; calling 443-326-5474 or accessing http://www.catonsvillerailstotrails.org.
Maureen Sweeney Smith
Catonsville Rails to Trails