Dedication event to take place September 12, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.
AUGUST 26, 2014,SILVER SPRING, MD—The Montgomery Parks Foundation, Montgomery Parks, and the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail are honoring John Dugger, one of the visionary’s behind the Capital Crescent Trail, an 11-mile, hiker-biker trail. A dedication plaque to Mr. Dugger will be installed on the trail just south of the rest plaza by the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant, near the D.C. line in Montgomery County, Maryland. A special dedication event will take place there on September 12, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. Media, elected officials, business and community leaders and the public are welcome to attend.
WHAT: Dedication of the John A. Dugger tribute, “Visionary Leader” of the Capital Crescent Trail
WHEN: Friday, September 12, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Capital Crescent Trail, near Dalecarlia Reservoir
WHY: Celebrate Mr. Dugger’s years of tireless work and dedication to help establish the Capital Crescent Trail as a first-class hiker-biker trail.
A collaborative effort between the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail, the Montgomery Parks Foundation and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks was key to making this dedication a reality.
“We are delighted that the relationship between our three organizations resulted in this important opportunity to honor John Dugger, our friend and champion of the Capital Crescent Trail,” said Ron Tripp, Chair of the Coalition. “The Montgomery Parks Foundation and Montgomery Parks were not only supportive of this effort, but were our partners in assuring this was done and done well.”
Mr. Dugger saw the abandoned B&O Rail line from Georgetown to Silver Spring as an opportunity to create a multipurpose trail for the residents of the greater Washington, D.C. area. In 1991, encouraged by friends, including avid cyclist Henri Bartholomot, John was instrumental in securing Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funds to develop the trail, and was personally involved in acquiring and developing additional right-of-way to form the trail that bikers, joggers, and walkers enjoy today.
Dugger, a retired naval officer and specialist in international law was chairman of the group that inspired the project for many years. He led the coalition of volunteers that worked to create the recreational trail, now known as The Capital Crescent Trail.
With origins in the Civil War, the Capital Crescent Trail is now the most heavily used of the many trails in the Washington, D.C. region. Today, the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail supports and advocates for the Capital Crescent Trail, which is maintained by Montgomery Parks and the National Park Service. John took great pride in his efforts to make the Capital Crescent a USA Rails to Trails Success.
About The Montgomery Parks Foundation
The Montgomery Parks Foundation is a 501c3 organization that champions Montgomery County Parks cultivating financial support and public engagement of county residents and businesses as members, donors, sponsors and advocates. www.MontgomeryParksFoundation.org
About the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 36,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other park systems. www.MontgomeryParks.org
About the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail
The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail is a non-profit citizens’ group advocating for a first class development of the 11.2 mile rail-to-Trail conversion from Georgetown, D.C. to Silver Spring, MD for multi-purpose, recreational use. www.ccttrail.org