Does the WMRT contribute to the economies of the towns it passes through?
An economic impact study of the WMRT commissioned by the town of Hancock, MD showed that 1.7 million dollars in local gross direct spending resulted from 76,000 trail visits per year. Q: Are there any landowner concerns for those who own property near the Trail. A: One of the basic problems for adjacent landowners is that they have had nearly 30 years during which they have been able to consider the narrow strip of former WMR land as their own property. Some parcels of land may have been sold with the false promise that the WMR land would always remain vacant. The fact is that despite its narrow profile, the CONHP owns this land free and clear and is entitled to put it to its best use. Every reasonable effort will be made to address adjacent owners concerns during the assessment and construction process. Concerns over litter and trespass have been proven to be unfounded from the record of the existing WMRT and many other rail trails.
