Ideas – Hiking and Outdoor Recreation Around Baltimore
Possible Sites:
• Great Falls (Md./VA line on Potomac River; ~1 hour)
• Sugar Loaf Mountain (Dickerson, Md.; ~1 hour)
• Gwynn Falls Trail/Leakin Park (Baltimore, Md.)
The Peg: The Baltimore area has many recreational spots and trails that are a lot closer to the city than most people may realize. I want to try to expose people to these areas as they have great value for both exercise and relaxation; and do so in a concise and interesting way. I want to try to limit the region to places that are close to within an hour of Baltimore.
Ideas for Media: I would like to incorporate as many photos as possible of different interesting parts of the trails as well as probably some video. I also would like to have audio interviews with people either involved with the Baltimore Department of Recreations and Parks as well as volunteers and people who use the trails and areas. Finally I think that Google Maps and maybe some other trail maps would be crucial to this project’s success. I want to give people clear directions and trail recommendations so they can actually use my information to visit the places I talk about.
Who can be interviewed?:
• Baltimore Department of Recreations and Parks
• National Park Service
• People who use the trails
• Volunteers who help maintain the trails
Technical & Other Restrictions: Obviously the weather plays a huge role in the availability of these locations and doing interviews. Any event or on-scene interviews could be canceled due to inclement weather; however there are ways around it. Technology is not so much of a concern as I will be able to use the necessary tools without power or the internet.
How is this different from what is out there?: There are many sites that list hiking trails and give people ideas of where to go. I want to take a more in depth look at these sites and show people what goes into maintaining them, as well as show that even inexperienced hikers can enjoy these locations in close proximity.
I know this was your first choice, and I have no problems with you. Your others are interesting but could lapse into “brochures.” Just remember to keep people foremost in your article — the places mean little without them.
BTW, your format is great — I’m going to make it the model for future classes!