The OEC Connector is a new trail that makes a natural surface connection on the Howard County side of the Patapsco River, to the lightly traveled Sylvan Lane, continuing down Church St. and then into Old Ellicott City.
Construction is in progress for the highly-anticipated project, the Old Ellicott City Connector. This new 2.5-mile natural-surface trail will link the historic towns of Ellicott City and Oella to the Hollofield campground. The trail is a breathtaking journey through scenic landscapes, offering expansive views of the river and the Patapsco Valley. Visitors can access parking for this trail at the former courthouse parking lot in Ellicott City; please note that vehicular travel and parking on Sylvan Lane are strictly prohibited at all times.
Ellicott City has long been the gap in the connectivity of the PVSP trail system. It takes a bit of know-how and a bunch of on-road travel on Church St. and Park Rd. to connect to the Hollofield area of the park. As the trails in the Hollofield area have been realigned and made more sustainable, this area has become a destination for park visitors. Ole Ranger Trail, the reconfigured Peaceful Pond trail, and the trail connectivity under Rt. 70 to the Daniels area have made a trail connection to OEC a highly desired project.
How cool would it be to be able to camp in the Hollofield Campground and hike into Ellicott City for dinner? Or make a big loop with a stop at a local bike shop, a yoga studio, or a cold refreshment at Ellicott City’s fine watering holes?
The OEC Connector from the campground to the Ole Ranger Trail is complete
The trail alignment has several tough sections, most notably a very technical, high-exposure area that was built above the Union Dam Tunnel. This section of the trail eliminates the crossing of the active CSX railroad line – for the first time at PVSP, we engaged a professional trail builder and use a mini excavator to build this challenging section of trail.
Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park and their partners (MORE, Mountain Club of Maryland, PHG and many others) continue to knock it out of the park providing connections between different areas of the park and neighboring communities. This OEC Connector will provide an opportunity for park guests (campers, bikers, and thru hikers) to access historic Ellicott City on a natural surface trail, and opens up new connection to the park for Ellicott City residents and visitors.
Mike Morrone, MORE Trail Liaison, Patapsco Valley State Park
Greenstone Trailcraft is responsible for the construction of this trail, and it is expected to be open to the public in March 2024. We kindly request that you refrain from entering the construction area. This critical link in the PVSP trail system has received funding from the Recreational Trails Program. See the Maryland DNR website for trail maps.
Sources: FRIENDS OF PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK and Maryland DNR
Featured Photo: BMW of Owings Mills
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