The Oyster Trail | Talbot Thrive

Oxford Parks Connector Trail

First Steps

In late 2023, the Town of Oxford was approved for a Kim Lamphier Bikeways Grant for the initial feasibility and design of the first step of the proposed Oyster Trail – the Oxford Parks Connector Trail.

The grant is for a proposed shared-use recreational trail that will connect two parks in the Town of Oxford, MD with two adjacent County-owned parks. The project also includes study of installation of a bicycle service area. Ultimately, this project lays the foundation for creating an off-road route for people and families who ride bikes to enjoy the outdoors, especially the existing Oxford Conservation Park, and also supports the establishment of Oxford, MD as a terminus point in the future vision for a bicycle/pedestrian rail trail that connects Oxford to the Town of Easton. In alignment with our Comprehensive Plan and our Sustainable Community Plan, the Town of Oxford has been working with Talbot Thrive to improve the connectivity of our town parks and the County’s Oxford Conservation Park by developing a safe, accessible multi-use trail.

Who Was Kim Lamphier?

Kim Lamphier was a tireless supporter for safe, bicycle access across Maryland.

Over the years, Kim worked on issues relating to small businesses, bicycle safety, wildlife protection, criminal justice reform and promoting youth participation in government. She worked on the campaigns of some of Maryland’s luminary political figures at all levels of government. In her last year, 2019, in her roles with Trash Free Maryland and Bike Maryland, she was the principal advocate for two major legislative victories – the first statewide Styrofoam ban in the country and a bill that guarantees funding for Maryland’s Bikeways Network program. She worked to secure these victories, even as she was recovering from three months of intensive chemotherapy treatment and post-surgery physical therapy. She was an indomitable force.

In 2020, the Maryland General Assembly voted to rename the MDOT Bikeways Program in Kim’s honor.

The Dream: A Trail from Oxford to Easton – The Oyster Trail

Imagine converting the old Maryland and Delaware rail easement from Easton into Oxford into a pedestrian and bike trail? A recent exploration by a board member has found that the route is partially visible in several places along Oxford Road and has been partially maintained by private property owners since the closing of the rail line in 1996. A linear park/trail could serve to connect commercial, historic and cultural amenities along a shared use path accommodating walkers, joggers and bicyclists of all ages and fitness levels.

Completed following the Civil War, the Oxford Spur was a key piece of infrastructure that led to prosperity in the Eastern Shore Tidewater region. The 66’ wide easement was abandoned in the mid 1960’s and the land deeded to the adjacent property owners. The challenge will be to find a way to reclaim access to a portion of the old easement and preliminary research has indicated that this will be difficult, but is not insurmountable. The Rails to Trails Conservancy in Washington DC has been very helpful to many other groups that have successfully completed similar projects in other locations. There are over 2,000 examples of successful rail to trail projects in all 50 states, so there are many good precedents to follow. The recently passed Infrastructure Bill contains substantial funding for active transportation projects such as this.

Imagine, in the near future it will be possible to ride the entire 8 mile route from Oxford to Easton on a safe and beautiful wooded greenway that would help support local business and attract pedestrians and cyclists to a healthy and safe amenity for both visitors and local Talbot County residents.

Thank you to Board Member Cameron J. Mactavish of Oxford MD

Click on the image below to open a PDF of the full Oyster Trail presentation.

The Dream…

CONVERT THE HISTORIC OXFORD RAILWAY TO A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE TRAIL
Even though the last train ran prior to 1960, many portions of the old Oxford and Easton railway still exist and are passable on foot to this day.

HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS
A dedicated pedestrian and bicycle path will enhance health and safety for Talbot County residents and visitors by getting them off the shoulder
of the increasingly busy Oxford Road

BOOM FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
Increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic will better enable local businesses to thrive year round. Over 2000 rail to projects have been completed in all 50 states and the positive economic impact of rail to trail projects is well documented

CONNECT TO POTENTIAL ST. MICHAEL’S RD BIKE PATH
Converting this section and creating a link to the Easton bike trail will create a 25 mile “Oyster Loop” connecting Oxford, Easton, and St Michael’s and extending all the way to McDaniel. The Oxford Ferry can then be used to complete the loop

The photos below are from a recent excursion finding the old rail bed along the Oxford Corridor. Please do not tresspass on private property.