[3][4] In June 1996, the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail became part of the East Coast Greenway–from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.

Built on a former rail line through the suburban region between Annapolis and Baltimore the trail is a paved linear park that encompasses 112 acres (0.45 km2).

[6] The trail winds through parks, neighborhoods and natural wooded areas providing scenic views of trees, streams and many historical points.

[6] The right-of-way for the former railroad continues to the north as the Baltimore Light Rail, which begins in the south at Glen Burnie station.

In 1973, State Senator Alfred J. Lipin proposed turning the rail line into a trail and asked the Open Space Committee and the Departments of Transportation, Natural Resources and Planning to look into it.

[10] In 1978, Anne Arundel County filed a condemnation suit to acquire the right-of-way for the trail and to cease lease payments there were already making to cross it.

[11] In 1979 Anne Arundel County purchased the 66-foot (20 m) wide corridor for the purpose of creating a rail trail and park.

[5] In 1981 opponents of the trail argued that it would bring drug abusers and burglar's and they were supported by the local NAACP, the Fraternal Order of Police, county firefighters and teachers' organizations.

[13] As Part of state highway project, a bike lane along route 50 and the Severn River Bridge, connected the trail to Annapolis.