PAVED RECREATION TRAILS OF TH E NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Recommendations for Improvements and Coordination to Form a Metropolitan Multi- Use Trail System
W DC . ashington,
1 990 June,
Prepared by
Denver Service Center, Eastern Team ll r Fa s Chu ch, Virginia , Field Office
in cooperation with Recreation Resourc es Assistance Division Washington Office
National Park Service United States Department of the Interior
CONTENTS
1 I . INTRODUCTION REPORT PURPOSE 1 STUDY GOAL 3
CURRENT CONDITIONS: TRAILS 5 CURRENT CONDITIONS OF FEDERAL TRAILS 5 NPS Trails of the National Ca pital Region 6 Mount Vernon Trail (GWMP) 10 0 C Canal Towpath, Georgetown to Seneca (CHOH) Rock Creek Park (ROCR) 1 0 National Capital Parks—Central (NACC) 13 National Capital Parks— East 1 3 CURRENT CONDITION OF LOCAL TRAILS 19 Alexandria 1 9 Arlington County 19 District of Columbia 20 Fairfax County 20 Montgomery County 26 Prince George's County 26 CURRENT CONDITIONS OF REGIONAL TRAILS 30 Washington and Old Dominion Trail 30 METRO Connectors 30 Maine-to-Virginia Bike Route 30 Interstate Bike Route 1 30 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail 32
OTHER CURRENT CONDITIONS 33 USE 33 Mount Vernon Trail 34 C 0 Canal Towpath 35 Rock Creek Park 35 SAFETY 36 FEDERAL POLICIES ABOUT TRAILS LEGAL ISSUES 37 FUNDING AND MAINTENANCE OF TRAILS
IV . CHALLENGES 41 SYSTEM DESIGN 41 TRAIL DESIGN 41 INFORMATION SYSTEM 42 MA A E MAIN E 42 N GEM NT, TENANC
V . RECOMMENDED POLICIES AND PROGRAMS 45 POLICIES 45 SYSTEM DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS 45 TRAIL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 47 Types of Routes 47 Relationships of Trails to Roads 47
CONTENT S
T 1 I . INTRODUC ION REPORT PURPOSE 1 STUDY GOAL 3
CURRENT CONDITIONS: TRAILS 5 CURRENT CONDITIONS OF FEDERAL TRAILS 5 NPS Trails of the National Capital Region 6 Mount Vernon Trail (GWMP) 10 0 a C C nal Towpath, Georgetown to Seneca (CHOH) Rock Creek Park (ROCR) 1 0 National Capital Parks- Central (NACC) 13 National Capital Parks— East 13 CURRENT CONDITION OF LOCAL TRAILS 19 Alexandria 1 9 Arlington County 19 District of Columbia 20 Fairfax County 20 Montgomery County 26 Prince George’ s County 26 CURRENT CONDITIONS OF REGIONAL TRAILS 30 Washington and Old Dominion Trail 30 METRO Connectors 30 Maine-to- Virginia Bike Route 30 Interstate Bike Route 1 30 Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail 32
OTHER CURRENT CONDITIONS 33 USE 33 Mount Vernon Trail 34 C 0 Canal Towpath 35 Rock Creek Park 35 SAFETY 36 FEDERAL POLICIES ABOUT TRAILS LEGAL ISSUES 37 FUNDING AND MAINTENANCE OF NPS TRAILS
IV . CHALLENGES 41 SYSTEM DESIGN 41 TRAIL DESIGN 41 INFORMATION SYSTEM 42 MANA E E MAI TE A E 42 G M NT, N N NC
V . RECOMMENDED POLICIES AND PROGRAMS 45 POLICIES 45 SYSTEM DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS 45 TRAIL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 47 Types of Routes 47 Relationships of Trails to Roads 47 Types of Users 48 Types of Cyclists 48 Standard Design Details 48 General Principles of Trail Design 48 Information Systems Considerations 49 Sign Planning Principles 49 Sign Purposes 51 Map Flam ing Considerations 51 Brochures 51 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 52 RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE ACTIONS
RECOMMENDED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 55 THE LOOP SYSTEM 55 PROJECTS BY IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 56 Improvement Projects on Existing NPS Routes New NPS Trail Work 59 Cooperative Projects 62 PROJECTS BY OTHERS 66 PROJECTS BY LOOP 67 PROJECTS BY PRIORITY 70 PROJECTS BY PARK 72 PROJECTS BY COOPERATING AGENCY 74 TOP-PRIORITY PROJECTS 76
7 V II. CONCLUSION 9 WORK UNDER WAY 97 OPPORTUNITIES 97
APPENDIX A 99
’ APPENDIX B : A BRIEF HISTORY OF WASHINGTON S TRIALS 1 01
APPENDIX C : TRAIL SYSTEMS IN OTHER CITIES A SAMPLING 1 05
APPENDIX D 1 09
PREPARERS AND CONSULTANTS 1 1 1
BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 13 ILLUSTRATIONS
Proposed Metropolitan Loop Trail System 2
ils l DC . Existing NPS Tra of Metropo itan Washington, Trail Problems Along Mount Vernon Trail 7 Trail Problems Along the C&C Canal 12 Trail Problems Rock Creek Park 15 Trail Problems Around the Mall/NCP -C 1 7 Trail Problems National Capital Parks East 18
a xa a . 21 Tr il System of Ale ndri , Va 22 a A in . Tr il System of rl gton County, Va Trail System of the District of Columbia 24 2 of . 5 Trail System Fairfax County, Va
of . 27 Trail System Montgomery County, MD ’
l . 28 Trai System of Prince George s County, MD f 1 o a i t . 3 Regional Trails Metropolitan W sh ng on, D C Proposed Improvements to Existing NPS Routes 58 Suggested New NPS Trail Projects 61 Proposed Barney Circle Freeway Improvements 63 Proposed Cooperative Trail Projects 65 Trail Projects by Others 68 Proposed Trail Layout for Columbia Island 77 Detail Study of Memorial Circle 78 " " Detail Study of Humpback Bridge 78 2 0 0 Tunnel 81 Northern Section of Rock Creek Park 83 Broad Branch Road Corridor 86 Airport Area Barrier 87 The Georgetown Branch Trail Corridor 89 The Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail 91 Lincoln Circle 93 Woodrow Wilson Bridge 95 Proposed Metropolitan Loop Trail System 96 Photographs
Virginia approach to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge 8 Wooded setting along Mount Vernon Trail 8 Many users along Mount Vernon Trail near Alexandria 9 Difficul t crossing at National Airport ramp 9 Unfinished underpass at Crystal City and Mount Vernon Trail 1 1 Cantilevered segment along Mount Vernon Trail near Alexandria Low clearance under Klingle Road Bridge 14 Narrow trail south of National Zoo tunnel 1 4 Evidence of heavy use along Rock Creek Trail 1 6 ’ Arlington County 5 new pedestrian and bicycle bridge 23 Centerline striping along the W&OD Trail 29 Trail separation along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway 39 Inadequate trail sign 44 Tree hazard in sidewalk trail 44 Low water bridge in Rock Creek Park 85 C&O Cana l cyclists at Great Falls Tavern 1 990 1 02 Acronyms
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Chesapeake and Ohio Code of Federal Regulations Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Site Council of Governments Georgetown Branch Railroad Corridor Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Federal Lands Highway Program George Washington Memorial Parkway Maryland- National Capital Park and Planning Commission Ma nual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices National Capital Parks Central National Capital Parks East National Capital Planning Commission National Capital Region National Park Service Rock Creek Park Washington Area Bicyclist Association t n l a Washing on, Baltimore, and An apo is (R ilroad Corridor) Washington and Old Dominion (Railroad Corridor) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
SUMMARY
20 i Over the past years, bicycling, jogging, and hik ng have grown in popularity and D i of l i C . become serious pursu ts for thousands peop e in the metropol tan Washington,
i c a i i in r a . area . W th this growth has ome dramat c ncrease demand for u b n trails The National Park Service (NPS) has responded to that demand by constructing more than 75 miles of paved trails in five park management areas in the region George a a a a a and O a a W shington Memori l Parkw y, Ches pe ke hio C nal National Historic l Park,
- - E . Rock Creek Park, National Capital Parks Central, and National Capital Parks ast Now,
1990 r a rt l . in , the Park Se vice f ces a major oppo unity to bui d on its successes It can play a a a n m of a l a a major role in cre ting l rger, better li ked syste urban tr i s more th n ’ m a of s iles long that would serve significant percentage the region s neighborhood , parks, and tourist attractions .
n i As a setti g for recreation, the metropol tan area of Washington is unique for a variety of reasons : an extensive federal urban park system; a climate that allows outdoor activity of the ea e a e - e c c a a i e ea every month y r; gentl topogr phy; a w ll du ated, omp r t v ly w lthy ’ n k of a mobile population; a d a city center nown for wide streets . Some the rea s i and are a of a as recreat onal clubs groups the l rgest their kind in the n tion, such the r clis A Potomac Pedalers Touring Club, the Washington A ea Bicy t ssociation, and the
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club . These groups provide the opportunity for active ’ partnership with the federal government to enhance the area s recreational potential .
i The purpose of th s special study is to assess current trail and trail system conditions, and recommend steps the Park Service can take to help improve existing trails and create an
i r . integrated, interjurisd ctional network of u ban trails
t a c This s udy therefore describes the current condition of the m ny NPS, lo al governmental, and regional jurisdiction trails that already exist . It assesses other current conditions as of a a i and a ic ec well, exploring the issues use, s fety, leg l ty, man gement pol y that aff t the design and use of trails. It groups the major challenges that stand in the way of trail
. l improvement and expansion It conc udes with two sets of recommendations . The first set Th a to . e recommends pproaches system design, trail design, and information systems c i c c a second, whi h groups and prioritizes spec fic constru tion proje ts, c lls for the creation n i in i 1 1 of six li ked tra l loops and describes deta l projects that have top priority .
Current Conditions on Trails
As the Park Service has been developing trails, so have many of the cities and counties li a W t n a a . in metropo t n ashington, and the region is also ied i to several region l tr ils Though ’ “ c the National Park Service s Mount Vernon Trail is in generally good ondition, the i of condit on of most the other trails is only fair or poor . Great as the potential is to make NPS trails the nexus of a system that extends into and links jurisdictions around the ’ l n l nation s capita , many of the trails that now exist are incomplete, u comfortab e for users,
s . and, in some ca es, unsafe
Other Current Conditions
Al ’ l though statistics on the use of Washington s trai s are sketchy, it is clear that use continues to rise . Heavier use intensifies the potential for conflict between different typ es of trail users (and between trail users and motorists) and makes correc ting unsa fe trail " " a l n t conditions more urgent . Th t trai s are highways in legal terms defi es the liabili ies of the public agencies that build and manage trails . Good maintenance is essential to
ac and a a a i i . ai e a c ac c a avoiding cidents ttend nt li b l ty But m nt n n e is, in f t, less omplete th n u on t i tr it sho ld be many Washing on trails and funding for tra l cons uction, though a a i n potentially av il ble from a number of sources, has come primarily from the operat o s budgets of individua l parks .
Challenges
Two of the greatest challenges are the discontinuities that keep trails in the Washington area from forming a coherent system and an overabundance of trails that are substandard l d in design . Trai s are often too narrow and poorly marke (lacking center lines and edge
. n too or stripes) Information systems (sig s , maps, brochures) are often rudimentary - non existent .
Recommended Policies and Programs
The report recommends these refinements of the NPS Management Policies .
The Service is encouraged to disperse use of its metropolitan- area trails by i developing scen c trails in other locations .
Trail systems should be designed to accommodate the recreational needs of the ma or t es o users j yp f , addressing such factors as trip length, speed, and support ul l services . Heavily used trails near the city sho d be wider than less used trai s
farther ou t.
h r m W ere adequate land is available and envi onmental i pacts will not be adverse, trail types should be separated to minimize conflicts between cyclists and i s. n t n pedestrian Where uses must combi e on one paved tra l, accommoda i g
i l l 10 . measures should be taken, such as widen ng the trai to at east feet
A consistent sign system should be installed on NPS recreational trails in i DC. d metropolitan Wash ngton, The system should offer route irections, warnings,
and interpretive information . Signs should be coordinated with other jurisdictions n at key intersections and access poi ts .
i of l s Other recommendations address further spec fics designing trai system , trails, and
f t . to l i l in orma ion systems The need plan trai s in their ent rety, fo lowing accepted standards for a and a a as for c gr de curvature, receives speci l ttention, does the need suffi ient and l r . uniform t ai width, unbroken pavement, and centerline and edge striping
The recommendations for management call for expanding cooperation both with other jurisdictions and with trail users, specifically to plan in advance and in a comprehensive
. l t manner A consistent management program for regu ar trail inspec ion, evaluation and f r h reporting is also proposed . The recommendations o maintenance emp asize the need for
l . more regu ar maintenance, and cooperation on issues of maintenance Recommended Construction Projects
The major recommendation of this study is that the National Park Service work toward upgrading the overall quality of the natural capital area trail system by creating six e e a of fi c a interlocking loop trails . Also recomm nd d are a l rge number speci c proje ts , m ny of which would help achieve the creation or improvement of the loop trails . Of the 1 1 a s - l specific projects, h ve been identified as highe t in priority on a region wide evel and are described in detail .
The following are the recommended loops and the trails which would comprise them .
l Run i i in on oo . The Arl gt L p Custis Trail, Four Mi e Tra l, and Mount Vernon Tra l along the Potomac shoreline .
Th d o . Run n e Alexan ria L op Braddock Road, Holmes , and the Mou t Vernon Trail along the Alexandria waterfront .
l The Little Falls/Rock Creek Loop . Capital Crescent Trail connecting to Rock Creek Trai in Chevy Chase and to the Chesapeake Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath downtown .
l h r a n The Capital Crescent/S igo Loop . T rough the Maryland subu bs on the C pital Cresce t l il a na and Trai , S ver Spring, Sligo Valley, Northeast Branch V lley, the A costia shoreline, a n i to C&O a c n Mall tr ils (co nect ng the C nal towpath, the Greenbelt o nector, and the
Potomac Heritage Trail) .
x n R l a The Henson Creek/O o un Loop . Fragments of trail joined with new trai s long
Suitland Parkway and the Potomac shoreline .
a Potomac Shoreline Loop . Using bridges and shoreline tr ils on both sides of the Potomac
to is n all . from Key Bridge south the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, th loop joi s the others
l ll l 2 . These oops are i ustrated on the map, Metropolitan Loop Trai System, page
The following top priority projects were determined most important based on safety f n o a d for a a c c . concerns, level use, potential being key tr il onne tion
Irn rove l . p Columbia Island trai s, especially Memorial and Humpback bridges
Provide an alternative to the Zoo tunnel .
Resolve National Airport ramp conflicts . c Complete the northern se tion of Rock Creek Trail . low - a Replace the w ter bridge near Porter Street . a Improve the Broad Br nch connector into Rock Creek Park . m I prove the airport barrier area trail segment . l " " il Deve op the Georgetown Branch ra trail in DC . I - mprove the Fort Circle Hiker Biker Trail. i r a Improve the L ncoln Memo i l Circle ramp crossings . a Include trail connection across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
These projects and several dozen others are recommended for implementation . They are presented in a series of lists that organize the projects by differing variables to facilitate l l n detai ed p an ing and implementation by a variety of users of this study .
xi Some improvements are already under way . The report cites several of these encouraging signs of progress and concludes that this is a time of unprecedented opportunity for creating a system of urban trails that could be the finest in the na tion .
xii O O I . INTR DUCTI N
lk and ic Linear recreation pursuits such as jogging, wa ing, b ycling have become popular l n r 20 . forms of sport a d exercise du ing the past years As a resu t, there have been increasing demands for recreational systems that can accommodate this growing interest . a in n DC a a a a In response to this dem nd the Washi gton, , are , the N tion l P rk Service (NPS) ll 75 l has insta ed more than miles of paved recreation trails, a federa ly managed system many people consider a model for cities throughout the country .
im tu Even though this system is of good quality, now is a t e of unprecedented oppor nity
a ni . for improvement and expansion . A number of f ctors combine to create this opportu ty Support for creating a network of paved trails is growing in all political jurisdictions in
. d the Washington area Undevelope park corridors, abandoned railroads, and unused " " paper streets are available for the expansion of the trail system so that use can be
- dispersed and the burden lessened on trail segments that are now over used . The potential now exists to transform many existing trail fragments into the finest network of urban paved trails in the United States .
of n a of its - Residents the Washi gton area and m ny visitors are, in general, well educated,
fl w ho c a a s. a relatively af uent people enjoy re re tion l trail As result, there are a number of private non- profit groups that have become established in the area who are willing to help
l . u the Park Service with planning, education, and trai safety Sources of f nds that could be used to improve and expand the trail system are various and underused .
REPORT PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to enable the the National Park Service to take advantage m i of the Opportunity it now faces . The report therefore exa ines existing condit ons on the off s u l s a trails and , di c sses the chal enge th t must be met if those conditions are to i l improve, and recommends not only pol cies and programs but a so a series of specific construction projects . Its geographical scope is limited to the metropolitan area of in t DC l n l o ’ Wash g on, , inc udi g the District of Co umbia , Montgomery and Prince Ge rge s c t i oun ies in Maryland, and Arl ngton and Fairfax counties in Virginia , plus the i in ncorporated cities and towns these counties .
a : Four major types of routes are generally found in a tr il system Rural touring routes,
- r on . urban recreation routes, urban access routes, and an u ban (usually street) network The urban network tries to accommodate all types of trips and optimizes directness and safety . a a n The access routes usu lly h ve specific purposes and destinations . Most of the trails u der discussion here are urban recreation routes . These trails are distinguished from other types u fl t . by heavy use, use for many different p rposes, and wide uc uations in use over time l a n an n A successful urban recreationa route is ccessible and conve ient . It has u interrupted - of- t and l . right way, is a tractive safe, and re ies on easy grades and curvature The most ’ successful and popular of Washington s existing paved recreational trails clearly exhibit these characteristics . Mount V e rnonTra il
P o toma c H e rita g e Tra il
NPS Tra il Entra nc e s 0
RO OS M TRO O T P P ED E P LI AN 84 3 4 Mile s LOO P TRAIL SYSTEM
'
0 C ana l .1
w nto
E XISTING N PS TRAILS 0 M .”8 " — N HINGTON D. C . i i o i MET RO PO LITA WAS , NT O D O : R II . CURRE C N ITI NS T AILS
’ 1 890 When Washington s largest park, Rock Creek Park, was established by Congress in , it was already a popular spot for horseback riding and nature walks . With the advent of a i 19th u all ca a balloon tires for bicycles and utomob les in the late cent ry, the rri ge drives did in and near the parks became favorite touring areas, as the towpath of the
Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal which then was still in commercial operation . Only 1 969 a - l in , however, did the feder l government install paved off road trai s designed especially for bicycling .
i Now the National Park Service manages m les of trails in five areas . In addition to
s l . ls these federal trail , there are numerous local and regional trai s Conditions on the trai
oo a na fu . are t often m rgi l, and the trails are not yet a lly integrated system
i li of Nonetheless, existing tra ls in the metropo tan area are a resource considerable a a l e a of potential . Feder l and loc l trai s and bicycle routes alr ady form network several l ll l l . e a l hundred mi es If they are comp eted as now plann d, the trai s together cou d form a system well over miles long .
CURRENT CONDITIONS OF FEDERAL TRAILS
’ The NPS trails in the nation s capital today fall within five park management areas: the r i a a GWMP a a and a a a Geo ge Wash ngton Memori l Parkw y ( ), the Ches pe ke Ohio C n l Nation l O K t a a - NACC Historic Site (CHOH), Rock Creek Park (R C ), Na ional Capit l P rks Central ( ) , - and National Capital Parks East (NACE) .
i - l The longest trail, in the George Wash ngton Memorial Parkway area, is the mi e long Mou nt Vernon Trail which follows the Potomac River shoreline south from Theodore 4- Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon . The 1 mile portion of the C 8: 0 Canal towpath ’ included in the stu dy follows the north side of the Potomac River west from the canal s r l southern te minus in Georgetown to Great Fa ls . In Rock Creek Park there are miles ’ of trail . These three longest and best known NPS trails together form over half the area s federal system .
of t i 1 987 According to a nationwide inventory NPS ra ls completed in , the condition of " of a a ls n r most the p ved tr i in the Washi gton area is either fair o poor . As is evident t ll NPS l t i in the rail descriptions that fo ow, all of the trai s covered by this s udy exh bit
. use s problems Some problems are caused by heavy , some by poor design and con truction, l some by chronic ack of maintenance, some by other factors . NPS Trails of the National Capital Region
i c a l DeH aven The follow ng list of Park Servi e tr i s in the study area (from Feldman and ,
1985) ranks the trails by trail length . The location of each trail is indicated by the r r i e n ma in a a e . a a s a e a o ppropri te NPS code l tters M jo tr il lso ident fi d the p, Exist g NPS D of l a W hi C a 4 . Trails Metropo it n as ngton, , p ge
Trail Name Length in Miles
Mount Vernon Trail GWMP C 0 Canal Towpath (Georgetown to Great Falls) Rock Creek Park trails Fort Circle Hiker/Biker Trail East Potomac Park Shoreline Potomac Park Shoreline Kenilworth Park Anacostia Park Fort Dupont Tidal Basin Shoreline Walks Mall Oxon Cove Trail Reflecting Pool Walkways Mockle y Point, Piscataway Park Lincoln Drive Constitution Avenue Washington Monument Grounds Walks Independence Avenue
D . C . Waterfront Park River Terrace (south of Kenilworth Park) 1 5th Street 14th Street Henry Bacon Drive Daniel Chester French Drive
TOTAL miles n l s nc hro niz a t L a c k o f c urb c uts a nd sig a y
t Ro ssl n irc le plus na rro w sid e w a lk s a y C
i h hi h s e e d ra ffic C o lumb ia Isla nd c o nflic ts w t g p t
n H um a c k B rid Na rro w d a ng e ro us sid e w a lk s o pb
hArlin to n to No a c c e ss fro m P e nt a g o n o r so ut g
e n ra il use rs C o nflic ts a t G ra ve lly P o int be tw e t
a lso a rkin lo t ha z a rd s a nd la ne w a tc he rs. p g p s tra il c ro ssing s 3
A ir or e i ra m s n n T p t x t p No a c c e ss from C ry sta l C ity to Mo unt V e r o
ic c le a nd foo Ro ute 2 3 3 bridge provide s p oor b y t C ulve rt
La c k of d ire c tio na l sig ns p e ry bo a rd w a lk a t ma jor trail inte rse c tions
a d e s a nd ina de q ua e Da ng e rous c urve s, g r , t rive r c rossing c onne c ti d c le a ra nc e to tre e trunks should b e c orre c te a nd NA C E
rnon be twe e n A le x a nd ria a nd Mount V e
T R A I L P R O B L E M S S C AL E . 8 0 0 7 4 ALONG M O UN T V E R N O N T R A IL Currently the Virginia -side approach to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge is substandard where the sidewalk ends suddenly and becomes an informal dirt trail (see Project G
A wide and smooth trail surface plus a pleasant wooded setting make this one of the more attractive stretches of the V r r Mount e non T ail. 8 a h rs har th M V rn Pedes rians c clis s o ers and river w c e s e e oun e on Trail sou h o Alexandria. t , y t , j gg , t t t f
The Mount Vernon Trail crossings at National Airport exit ramps are often difficult to cross due to the high speed and volume o r f t affic. 9 Mount Vernon Trail (G WM P)
In 1972 civic groups around Mount Vernon petitioned for a recreation trail along the n Potomac shoreline within the George Washington Memorial Parkway . I itial sections , h c 1975 fin i w i h were gravel, were paved by , and the al section of the tra l between l - l ui 1 988 . 1 982 83 Theodore Roosevelt Is and and Memoria Bridge was b lt in In , an imaginative project placed the Mount Vernon Trail between an electri cal generating plant of a a i i c and the Potomac River north Alexandria , with costs p id by ut l ty ompany facing
for on a . Now l has legal action storing coal federal l nd completed, the Mount Vernon Trai " fla i a in a to l become the gsh p recreational tr il the n tion, used test materia s and develop new trails standards .
a s a ca and . Along the Mount Vernon Tr il, problem r nge widely in s le priority Although a a a c a has a of ra c vigorous m inten n e progr m solved m ny the worst problems, the t il re eives nfl such heavy use that even minor problems should be addressed . Co icts with highspeed ‘ " " a r highway tr ffic occu at Memorial Bridge, the Humpback Bridge, and the National in Air . i a n port ramps Trail l ks are m ssing or facilities are in dequate at Rossly Circle, ll 233 Al Grave y Point, Route , and at points south of exandria on the way to Mount f . o Vernon . Nowhere are there adequate signs Many these specific problem areas are discussed in Section VI, Recommended Construction Projects .
A it i A dd ional problems cited by the Wash ngton rea Bicyclist Association (WABA), which ’ : l has evaluated four NPS trails from the cyclist s perspective, include ack of a safe of a fl a parkway crossing at the south end Columbia Isl nd, con ict between tr il users and on and of motorists where the trail overlaps with parking Gravelly Point, lack access between the trail and Crystal City.
8: 0 a al ow th o tow to n c O C C n T pa , Ge rge n Se e a (CH H)
l 19 tu 8: 0 a Since the invention of the bicyc e in the th cen ry, the C Can l towpath has been l a popular place to ride . After the federa government established the canal as a historic 1 77 l . 9 corridor and restored the towpath, ocal residents sought better access to it About , three spiral bicycle bridges were built in the Glen Echo area to carry pedestrians and cyclists across the Clara Barton Parkway and the canal to the towpath . Today the Canal
180 l l . a l extends mi es to Cumber and, Maryland North of Senec , Mary and, the towpath is D too for . w in C Often rough bike wheels But bet een Seneca and Wash gton, , it enjoys - i n a s of l ke l . year rou d use by m ny type cyc sts, wal rs, joggers, and strol ers
8: 0 l mix of l . The C Cana towpath is unpaved, a compacted gravel and c ay Some cyclists are estimated to use the trail each year . Most accidents and conflicts occur near
n i . Fl s Georgetow where the towpath narrows, but v sitation is highest ood have damaged the towpath surface near Great Falls . The locations of some of the problems are identified ma l l 12 8: 0 . on the p, Trai Problems Along the C Cana , page
Rock Creek Park (ROCR)
The first multi-use paved trails in the National Capita l Region of the National Park Service were bu ilt in Rock Creek Park in 1 969 a loop system in the northern part of the park . In 1971 one lane of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway was closed to cars to i n accommodate cyclists coming downtown . But open ng this lane to cyclists coi cided with - l r l traffic back ups caused by a broken water main . Public pressure to get bicyc es enti e y
10
To w a h north of S e ne c a Md . is to o ro u h t p t . g o c y c le
At G re a F a l s P a rk t , Md . c rowdéd t
c re a te c onflic t be tw e e n b k a raa nd
( d u e t p p e rio d ic f lo o d ing a n d
' t o w p at h ln t h is z o n
8 80 0 i-
T R A IL P R O B L E M S
2 m“ A L O N G TH E c ao C A N A L a Off the road then released in emergency funds, and a bridle tr il between ’ Thompson s Boathouse on the Potomac River and Cathedral Avenue was quickly paved .
’ t FHWA En ineeri n Stud According to Federal Highway Adminis ration s ( ) recent g g y , ’ a a a commuter traffic is the park s major problem . More th n c rs h ve been counted along Beach Drive each day, in an area where is the recommended maximum .
a ls c are Further, the tr i are narrow in ongested areas, and there no good trail connections a a c to the sides and north end of the valley . The narrow cle r n e between the road and the f a l i c to i . O a o to creek makes the tr i d ffi ult w den n weekends, p rts the route are closed c i automobiles . During the week, though, cy l sts must share the narrow, twisting roadway with cars even though the valley is designated as a regional cycling route .
WABA cited these additional specific problems: Cycling through the Zoo tunnel is
a a of Zoo . hazardous . The narrow tr il along the Parkw y just south the tunnel is unsafe See
a e a 1 5 . the map, Tr il Problems, Rock Cr ek Park, p ge
National Capital Parks -Central (NACC)
In s— all l l l are National Capital Park Central, sidewa ks near the Ma l and E lipse Open to n r bicycle use, although some are quite narrow u der b idges or along bridge deck
l . n sidewa ks Signs designate some of the routes, but they do not coordi ate precisely with
i of at . a a D strict Columbia design ions and they are easily vandalized Currently, p rk st ff are n a a k nk a a e larging m ny curb cuts, inst lling missing sidewal li s and replacing h z rdous grates .
: ur a The WABA study cited these additional problems on the Mall c b cuts are l cking, and,
i . at the Inlet Bridge by the Tidal Basin, stairs on the tra l are an Obstacle See Trail
- NCP C 1 7. Problems Around the Mall, , page
National Capital Parks -East
’ 19705 During the , in conjunction with the nation s Bicentennial, parts of the Fort Circle l - - Park system in Nationa Capital Parks E ast were cleared and graded for multi use trails . m c a 1 9505 19605 This i plemented a series Of trail plans whi h had been dr wn up in the , ,
1 9705 . a and early Unfortunately, the funds earmarked for the Fort Circle tr ils were used - l to cover Bicentennial cost over runs elsewhere, so the trai s in NACE remain mostly gravel
too a c a i . a rough for gener l bicy le use, although ide l for mountain b kes See Tr il Problems, - a a a 18 . National C pit l P rks East, page
l i Other segments of trai are found in Anacostia , Ken lworth, Fort Washington, and
Piscataway parks .
n 19705 l The Oxon Cove trail origi ated in the , when commuting cyc ists used access roads and a causeway built by the contractor who was then using part of the park for landfill
. s Operations When those operations ceased, the cycli ts petitioned for a recreational trail, in 1 i which was built 978 . The tra l connects communities near Indian Head Highway to D C . ill l has V age and government insta lations along the river . The Park Service studied
li l . ways to nk Oxon Cove, Fort Foote, and the Woodrow Wi son Bridge to the city, making " s l the e trai s part of a proposed Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail . (See discussion of t a this proposed r il under Regional Trails . )
1 3 l H ere the Rock Creek Trail asses under Klin le Road Low underpass clearance is dangerous and unnerving to cyc ists. p g (see Project R
The Rock Creek rail us sou h o the Na ional Zoo unnel is too narrow and close to roadwa rovidin rail t j t t f t t y, p g t r use s little protection from road traffic.
1 4 a nd: the -north and
" La ck oi c c e ss " ‘ “ tra ils ‘lnto pa rk a longr , Pine y ‘ p ranc h Ra rkw a nd B lagde n Ro a d
' ' i ‘ ‘ Ro a d a ng e rousJ o w - w a te rj t ffllge
a re too na rrow
Da nge rous ‘ P Stre et a nd
No dire c tiona l
T O B S S C AL E, RA IL PR LE M R O C K C R E E K PA R K No i h r o a hs and worn shoulders have develo ed. Use levels have outgrown trail capacity and design. t ce w e e f otp t p
16 s trollersa
to Roo se ve lt
e a st e nd o f Me mo ria l a rrow tunne l tra il unde rnga th) ‘
¢ g h l W
P o o r p a ve me nt a round the E
on Wa shing ton Mo
rous sta irs o n gh le t B ridge a ppro s
Confudingdlsc o e spla na de
S CAL E: T RAIL PR O B L E M S 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 Fe e t A R O UN D THE MALL/ NCP- C in rail of a rive r c ro ss g t
e e n NA CE a nd G WMP
k e tra il through Pisc a ta wa y Par
mac Herita ge Tra il)
T R A IL P R O B L E M S S — E A S T
- n - The county has a full time bicycle coordinator a d a full time trails maintenance crew . Annual expenditures for bike-related capital improvements range from to
a of in n ia a 22 . See Tr il System Arl gton Cou ty, Virgin , p ge
District of Columbia
- On street bicycle routes were started in the District of Columbia about 1974 . An official w as a 1 976 l - i c i a w as to e e plan dopted in , and a ful t me oord n tor hired help d v lop 1 9805 e a a a f r e . a o commuter rout s In the e rly , f der l funds became v ilable transportation
i . l routes , and these funds have paid for most projects s nce then A revised p an was n 1 7 - l 1983 a o . 98 quick y developed in with lmost citizen involvement In , another city wide a on n in u i plan was developed, b sed sustai ed citizen p t and meet ngs of neighborhood advisory groups .
The current plan shows an extensive network of mostly on-street routes reaching every
i . sector of the city, sometimes providing neighborhood alternatives to nearby park tra ls a e u ac e New er and e a The m jor rout s incl de Mass hus tts, J sey, N br ska Avenues, South a i and al MacArthur i a ar a Capitol Street, East C p tol Street the M l, Boulevard, Su tl nd P kw y, ’
1 1 th 14 . O a c a a of u tu , and th Streets ne popul r ycling are is the Dep rtment Agric l re s a t low - l c and to Nation l Arbore um, where volume roads a low cy lists strollers enjoy the n profusion of flowering trees a d shrubs .
’ i l 44 on- t l The c ty s bicyc ing system now consists of miles of s reet routes, with ess than a f - o f l Run . dozen miles of road trai , mostly along Oxon Although about has been the 10 r l 90 % l u in spent in past yea s to build trai s ( from federa f nds), the city is not a
i . of tri a 24 . posit on to maintain its trails See Trail System the Dis ct of Columbia, p ge
Fairfax County
’ a a n ul e c 1960 F irf x Cou ty s pop ation has increas d sixfold sin e , making it now the most ’ u populous jurisdiction in the metropolitan area . The co nty s approach to trails focuses on n to il s of t l developers, who are required by ordi ance bu d segment rai s shown on a - - f t a l i 1 976 . a c or county wide citizen generated r i s plan, wh ch was approved in The pl n alls trails that are for recreation as well as utilitarian transportation . Many of the earlier trails i i r a bu lt by developers are narrow and steep, better su ted for pedest i ns than for cyclists; - lt use . a l more recent trails meet mu i standards Several county dep rtments, inc uding those of r a c s Comprehensive Planning, Envi onmental Man gement, Publi Work , and the Parks
l . Authority, oversee the construction of trai s
i Many trails also run along roads and highways . They have been bu lt with the of r i a n cooperation the Vi g nia Dep rtment of Tra sportation, which is responsible for road
- - rights Oi w ay in the county. Park trails bu ilt in stream vall ey parks are Operated by the
Fairfax County Park Authority or the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority .
The county spends about a year on new and replacement trails . The system is still fragmented only about 275 miles of a projected miles have been built - l - . l l l u t so far Trai s include sidewalk trai s, stone dust equestrian trai s, and paved m i use a ac l trails eight feet wide . The princip l interf e with NPS trai s is along the George
Washington Memorial Parkway south of Alexandria . Fairfax County also has begun to
i . acquire scenic easements for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Tra l See the map, 2 l un 5 . Trai System of Fairfax Co ty, Virginia, page
20 C C C CC C C
n Tra il
V e rnon
T RA IL S Y STEM OF m8 0 0 MiIe I A A LE XA N D R IA , V . C ustis Tra il a lo ng l- 6 6 ( B ra nc h of W&ODTra it)
Mount V e rnon Tra il
S C AL E: T R A IL S Y S T E M O F 1 Mile
A R LIN G T O N C O UN T Y , VA. ’ A cri ical new link to the rail s s m in Vir This onne s t t y te ginia is Arlington County s new pedestrian/bicycle bridge. c ct the nor h end o the Moun Vernon Trail wi h th Arlin n an F t f t t e gto d airfax County trail systems. S c a le : T RAIL S YS T EM OF TH E D IST RICT O F C O LUM B IA Le e sburg Pike G e orge to w n Pk e
Dulie s Ac c e ss Roa d
S ully Roa d
ha mB ridge Roa d
Rt. 5 0
B a ddoc k
Fit. 5 0
Le e sburg Pike
S pringfie ld B y - Pa ss/Bike Tra il ’ Mount Ve rnon ( Pro pose d) Tra il
S C AL E T R A IL S Y ST E M O F 8 1 0 1 3 5 Mile s C O U T VA %§ % . fi FA IR FA X N Y , Montgomery Coun ty
Citizen interest in Montgomery Cou nty led to the development Of a county- wide trails
1975 c li for a a a . n plan in , showing fa i ties both tr nsport tion and recre tion Fundi g has since withered for all but park trails and bikeways that are required by ordinance as part of
i and im . a a n are i h ghway road provement projects As in F irf x Cou ty, developers requ red to build portions of trail that cross sites they are developing . Currently park trails in the c 29 a a ca t r a h county over miles, with recent nnu l pital expendi u es re c ing as much as Twenty- six of these miles have been built in stream valleys as part of a projected
- 100 mile park trail system.
’ It is Maryland s policy that bicycle facilities will be built into all highway projects where l f n feasible and practical . Fifty mi es o new bikeways have been built o county highways
the 1 5 ea at a c of a a a . c l a i in last y rs , ost bout ye r Currently a onsu t nt is ident fying trail access to METRO stations and employment centers .
Points of interface in Montgomery County with NPS trails include Rock Creek Park at the i ri m i i 8: D st ct of Colu b a l ne, Cabin John Parkway, and various access points along the C CSX a lr a n c c 0 n . r Ca al The forme Georgetown Br nch rai o d li e, whi h ar s from Silver Spring " to i for a a Georgetown, is being cons dered trail and transit corridor (the Capit l Crescent " Trail ) that would connect to the C 8: 0 Canal . See the map Trail System of Montgomery
27. County, Maryland, page
' Prince George s County
The trails master plan that Prince George's County developed in 1975 was updated in l l 1 85 a il . i a 9 to accommod te equestrian tra s The pr ncip corridors are stream val eys,
d s n . augmented by some abandone railroad , utility lines, and METRO co nections Exact alignments and implementation are determined by local community master plans; a - - full time trails coordinator manages cou nty wide coordination and implementation .
Currently the county has about 50 miles of off-road trail (most are unpaved) and 65 - l . miles of ou road routes . Capita investment in trails averages about a year Popular cycling areas include the University Of Maryland campus in College Park and rural roads in the nearby National Agricultural Research Center in Beltsvill e . Besides i l l An Of potent a trai connections at the acostia River and Oxon Run, the areas major cooperation between Prince George’ s County and the NPS are Greenbelt Park and the ’
a a a . i Potomac Heritage N tion l Scenic Tr il See the map, Tra l System Of Prince George s
2 . MD. 8 County, page
26
S p ringfie ld Roa d
nb e lt R o a d
S lig o C re e k
te rn B ra nc h
Ox on H ill Ro a d
Po to ma
isc ata w a y C re e k Tra il
Na tta w oma n C re e k Tra il
S C AL E: T R A IL S Y ST E M O F 1 2 3 4 Mi"e s '
P R IN C E G E O R G E S C O UN T Y , M D . ' Cen erline s ri in alon NVRPA s Washin on 8 Old Dominion Trail hel s reduce con ic s es eciall where lar e t t p g g gt p fl t , p y g volumes of cyclists share the trail.
29 CURRENT CONDITIONS OF REGIONAL TRAILS
The following trails extend over larger territory and are under the jurisdiction of various regional institutions .
Washington and Old Domin ion Trail
- - Northern Virginia boasts the most popular rails to trails conversion in the nation . The ’ Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority s Washington and Old Dominion (W8:OD) Trail follows a former railroad right- Of- way almost 50 miles from the Potomac shoreline in 1 7 Arlington County to the Blue Ridge Mountains . The first section Opened in 9 5 in the 1 77 44 4 of . 9 80 e city of Falls Church In , the regional park authority optioned miles ( acr s) - - h f r li i f a . c a as o rail r ght O w y Sin e then, all the l nd been bought mil on and an
i 7 l on a . add tional $ mi lion has been spent p ving, bridges, and landscaping
1 7 8:O l ic as a . a i In 98 the W D Trai was ded ated a N tional Recreational Trail Tod y, this tra l earns enough income through land rents and utility easements to more than defray n a . c a oper ting costs It now o nects Bluemont, Virgini , with the Mount Vernon Trail, via ’ Arlington County 5 Four Mile Run Trail .
8:O has c e as an a ac a a Recently, the W D Trail been onsider d altern tive Potom Herit ge Tr il
l i 8: 0 . route north to the Leesburg area, para lel ng the C Canal A connection to the Canal ’ can r 80 - on be made at White s Ferry near Leesbu g, forming an mile trail loop both sides of the Potomac River .
METRO Connectors
1 976 i a Since , when a consultant analyzed the bicycle facilities needed for Opt mum ccess i O a i a to to the burgeon ng METR r pid transit system, trail connect ons h ve been built some
a . METRO stations . Many stations have bicycle storage lockers and r cks Bicycles are
l n . of a lowed on the trai s evenings and weekends At some suburban stations, hundreds bicycles can be found parked every day .
Maine-to-Virginia Bike Route
k 1 7 fi 9 6 . This route, rst nown as the East Coast Bike Route, was first mapped in In a a a on r a and a i gener l, it c pit lizes quiet, ru al ro ds avoids congested reas; Wash ngton is the only city it enters . It comes into the District near Chevy Chase Circle and joins Rock
Creek Park via Broad Branch Road . It then follows the park south to the Potomac, crosses
of i . Memorial Bridge, and runs the length the Mount Vernon Tra l Though it exists today 1 200 1987 only as a mapped route, more than maps showing this route were sold in , and estimated users number in the hundreds per year .
Interstate Bike Route 1
t n n - - n i on Sou h of Mou t Vernon, the Mai e to Virgi ia Bike Route cont nues to Richmond, - a on a u a e and i a a . Virgini , using an ro d ro te inst ll d ( s gned) by the Commonwe lth Of Virgini la 1 r and Popu rly called Interstate Bike Route , the route was fi st laid out mapped by '
l in l 19705 r . citizen cyc ing groups the ate , then adopted into Vi ginia s transportation system
30 P o t oma c H e rita g e Tra il
a long C a na l
S ug g e ste d Ma ry la nd S t a te
B ik e R o ut e s
Po te ntia l Ro ute s of the Po to ma c H e rita g e Tra il
8 0 ALE: R E G IO N A L T R A IL S 0 2 4 W ile s
A H INGTON D. C . h a s : O F MET RO PO LIT AN W S , Potom ac Heritage National Scenic Trail
’ The metropolitan area s only congressionally designated long- distance trail is the Potomac i 2 i e a a a c c a . ce e 5 a a o of a t a the H rit ge N tion l S eni Tr l Con iv d ye rs g , the dea r il from mouth f e ha to o a s s . the source the Potom c Riv r been seriou ly considered, but barely implemented ai c a l a m c 8: 0 a a a The tr l a tu lly exists on y in fr g ents su h as the C C n l towp th, the Mount i a and a l of a a . Vernon Tr il, the Laurel H ghlands Tr i Pennsylv ni
1965 Although the idea for such a trail arose in , when President Johnson called for a a a m of ra to c me of c a n n tion l syste t ils promote publi enjoy nt outdoor re re tion, plan ing has li - . al 850 il gone slowly After years of propos s and feasibi ty studies, an m e Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail was officially authoriz ed by Congress in 1 983 with stipulations tha t none Of the trail be established in West Virginia and that only land within national park r boundaries could be purchased by o donated to the federal government .
c a a for i In re ent ye rs, pl nning the tra l has progressed slowly, with help from the Potomac
Heritage Trail Association . The Park Service has signed a trail development/management a a and al a i greement with the Appalachi n Trail Conference, sever p rts Of the trail are be ng developed from the north end of the C 8: 0 Canal to connect in Pennsylvania to the
Laurel Highlands and Pittsburgh .
Vital for public access to the Potomac Heritage Trail is a trail connector at the Woodrow I- l 95 ac at a . Wi son Bridge, which carries across the Potom Alex ndria The National Park c has a a i i of a t m Servi e advoc ted the dd t on pedestrian rail deck, but esti ated high costs, ic n c nfli in and c i a l jurisd tio al o cts, complicated engineer g, lack of conne t ng tr i s in Prince ’ George s County have all hampered the completion of this project .
This survey of trail system components demonstrates that planning policies and funding
i ul . Al l mechanisms vary throughout the region, making some comparisons d ffic t though sti l t ’ incomplete as a system (see appendix B, A Brief History of Washing on s
n . various components are becoming more i tegrated In the past few years, the Bicycle Technical Advisory Subcommittee of the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG) Transportation Planning Board has facilitated this coordination among jurisdictions f ’ . o n a a through monthly meetings As a result this i terest, the metropolitan re s trails are evolving from fragmented segments into comprehensive, interlocking systems .
32 O O III. THER CURRENT C NDITIONS
Conditions other than physical status affect development and use Of trails . Following is a discussion of the rising use of recreational trails and the resulting implications for safety .
r s. a Also surveyed a e current trail policies, legal issues, and funding pattern Statistical dat f a e of i . s is provided to ssist in this r view condit ons Although thi in ormation is sketchy, some significant trends can be identified .
1 972 1974 c lin n a a fi Between and , when bi yc g sudde ly became f shion ble for tness and - n 43 l . energy savi gs among young adults, mi lion bicycles were sold in the United States l l The resu t was an enormous demand for bicycle trai s and facilities that, in the i DC c a of Wash ngton, , area , produ ed the sudden ppearance paved recreational trail systems .
- 1 The bicycle boom that began in the mid 19705 clearly continues . According to the 988 Bic clin Re erence Book 85 i y g f , m llion people in the United States about half the total n n f li population now ow n or ride bicycles . This figure represents a i crease o 1 3 mil on
in a 1987 i . riders five ye rs; in alone, about m llion bicycles were sold
a 32% t A. C. l i On average n tionwide, of the popula ion own a bicycle ( Nie sen Nat onal hi l Survey, c . T s translates into some bicycle owners in metropo itan i c DC . Washington, Most cycle just for fun and exercise, although a sign fi ant number commute regularly to work on bikes in the 1980 census for the Washington area) . i s In addition, b kes are used for competition races and touring vacations by thou ands each n i ’ F l DeH ave . an year ( e dman and ) Because Wash ngton, as the nation s capital, enjoys
fl l l l a . in ux of mi lions of visitors each year, bicyc es are a so rented by the thous nds
The recent Distri ct Of Columbia Department of Recreation Comprehensive Recreation Plan 1 86 ( 9 ) compares local use of trails by percentage of the total population to nationwide use .
Activ ity DC Area Nationw ide
Bicycling Running and jogging Hiking Walking for pleasure
li n Clearly Washingtonians prefer cyc ng and joggi g to slower modes, such as walking or k l in l hi ing; they exceed the nationa average the first three categories . Bicyc ing and jogging " have risen from limited popularity to the status of major pursuits over the past two "
1986 . decades (District of Columbia Department of Recreation, , p These statistics a a l suggest th t tr i designs should particularly address speed conditions to improve safety .
for in Unfortunately, no procedure exists systematically measur g the use of recreational
l . ll trai s The fo owing statistics, sketchy as they are, form the best data in recent years .
33 Moun t Vernon Trail
t ’ i l 1983 A ci izens count ng project conducted along the Mount Vernon Trai in August, , indicates that the mix of bikes to pedestri ans remains almost constant on weekends and a e t wi i weekd ys, but that week nd use is significantly higher (Jeanet e Fitz ll ams, Virginia
Th il 7 f . Trail s Association) . e following results were Obtained at m epost south o Alexandria
Category Sunday Monday
Morning inbound Morning outbound Afternoon inbound Afternoon outbound Total per day Average per hour Number cyclists total) Number runners/joggers Number walkers total)
1985 a 1 985 1 4th A observational analysis (B rnett, ) between the Memorial and Street
Bridges on weekdays found these differences in use at the two bridges .
Mount Vernon Trail at m a 1 4th Me ori l Bridge St . Bridge
Users per day Percentage cyclists Percentage runner and joggers Percentage commuters Percentage adul t males Percentage wore helmets
Those coming from Arl. Cemetery Th ose crossing Memorial Bridge Those heading north
Those crossing the 14th St . Bridge
These Observations indicate a definite diversity in the types of users and they suggest that this mix varies at different points in the system .
m 1986 l un 120 In the su mer of , staff analyzing use of the entire Mount Vernon Trai co ted 320 c a h to bicy lists per hour, with higher counts near Alex ndria and Was ington (Feldman
- and DeH aven) . The highest single hour count was 71 6 bikes near Daingerfield Island; the highest hourly count by the trail patrol is about 1000 users . Cyclists use the trail year 8 1 1 round, with heaviest use in nice weather . The times of greatest use each day are to am and 2 to 5 pm .
34
SAFETY
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that the number c 900 of fatal bicycle ac idents nationwide has stayed around per year, while the percentage of adul t victims has grown in that same period from 22 % to reflec ting both the general aging of the population and the increasing popul arity of cycling among Older - 90% Of riders . Automobile bicycle accidents are the most lethal the fatal bike accidents f 1 2 involve motor vehicles . About 30% o the fatalities were boys between 9 and years Old 1 1 i r 1988 . (Cycl ng News Se vice, , pp
’ Even though Washington s trail system is one of the largest and most diversified in the fli n i n l . nation, congestion and co cts are i creas ng here as e sewhere Problems with user and n are i on speed, etiquette, dogs on the trail seem u iversal, and they intens fied narrow, - sub standard trails .
a c on a on . a c St tisti s s fety, like those use, are sketchy Curiously enough, most c idents seem
to s of to di use i of . We occur at time light me um ; at t mes peak use, incidents are few 20 1 984 59 know, further, that accidents on the Mount Vernon Trail increased from in to in 1986 and that they clustered at intersections and on steep or curving slopes . This suggests that crossing conflicts at intersections and excessive speeds on l pes may be
ls U S . a c a . a a f ctors On Rock Creek P rk tr i , serious accidents reported to the P rk Poli e have been ranging from 8 to 1 3 a year .
FEDERAL POLICIES ABOUT TRAILS
A number of policies related to trails and bicycling are articulated in the Code of Federal
Re ulations CPR c all ac l . CPR l g ( ) overing federal f i ities In the , bicycles are considered vehic es and are prohibited everywhere in na tional parks except where designated . Bicycle routes are determined after assessment for environmental impact and route locations are " " - officially announced for public review . The CFR says nothing specifically about all users
- ul u . or m ti p rpose trails (Loach, phone interview)
NPS Mana ement Policies a ur Within the National Park Service, g ddresses reso ce protection
1 . and visitor use . The following relevant statements come from the 988 revised draft
All a a u a to l tr ils will be c ref lly loc ted, designed, and managed avoid conf icts
among different users, prevent erosion, and protect fragile ecosystems from 4 unregulated use (p .
Where the level of use suggests that conflicting uses may endanger visitors l ll or reduce visitor enjoyment, hiking, equestrian, ski, and bicycle trai s wi 4 be separate (p .
Bicycle lanes on park roads may be provided where safe, feasible, and a appropriate . Bicycle tr ils may be provided where appropriate and where l site conditions are suitable . Bicyc e trails may be paved or stabilized for the
safety and convenience of travelers . Bicycles will normally be prohibited ' from hiking trails because their use would adversely affect hikers safety and 4 the hiking experience and cause trail damage (p .
36 The National Park Service will cooperate with other land managers and with 4 user groups to facilitate trail access to parks (p .
Interpretation will instill public understanding and appreciation of park
n c c for n . values a d resour es, fostering publi support preservi g them It will
- n il i a a ac of p . encourage a d fac t te appropri te, safe, minimum imp t use parks (
l s Every reasonable effort will be made to make the faci ities, program , and f l and services o the Nationa Park Service accessible to usable by all people,
including those w ho are disabled (p . 8
The National Park Service will strive to identify recognizable threats to the n safety and health of perso s and to the protection of property, by applying acc c a c national epted odes, stand rds, engineering prin iples, and the requirements of the Loss Control Management Program Guideline (NPS- 50)
(p . 8
LEGAL ISSUES
a c i Under the law, bikew ys are generally onsidered h ghways that should be designed to a of achieve safety through commonly accepted practices and standards . The design tion a not i a li r x bicycle route does therefore establish l ability, since li bi ty al eady e ists under highway law .
If l l l s peop e are injured on a pub ic trai , they mu t prove negligence on the part of the l to public owner . In general, the pub ic owner is immune from suits unless its duty protect n a a the public from u reasonable risk has been bre ched, and its negligence provides direct l . r n cause for the injury In many states (such as Maryland and Vi gi ia), recreational faci ities where no entrance fee is charged are generally immune from tort liability . Design problems are usually immune unless standards have been clearly violated . An l a administrative decision to delay repair provides immunity . A though repe ted poor c e to or a maintenan e r moves immunity, as does failure post warning h zard signs , the - simplest and most practical correction of the hazard will often re establish immunity.
In al l l the National Capit Regional Office of the Park Service, few tort c aims for trai l ' accidents have been filed or won in recent years . Due to Virginia and Mary and s m c the i munity laws, the successful laims have generally been filed in District of Columbia, but they have cost only in recent years . Most have been caused by poor
a c . maintenance, uneven tr il edges, and overhanging bran hes One accident in on - u 2 l County, a sub standard trail built by a developer, however, res lted in a $ mi lion
t . n a set lement against the developer As trail use conti ues to grow, the m jor problem is l l fl - - ike y to be con ict between high speed cyclists and slower moving pedestrians . Speed l i t i l im ts, gen le ripple boards, center and edge strip ng, periodic informational signs, regu ar n hazard inspections, and a uniform width of nine to ten feet to accommodate mainte ance
t r t . vehicles could all help reduce fu u e tort problems (Lindsey, phone interview and let er)
FUNDING AND MAINTENANCE OF NPS TRAILS
u u ma Ann al f nding and maintenance for trails varies greatly from park to park . Esti tes of the annual costs of mainta ining paved trails range from per mile for GWMP to
37 $650 per mile in Rock Creek Park (NPS, The Mount Vernon Trail has probably at a enjoyed the most tention per mile, and it is the only NPS tr il in the city to have a - a a . n or special bicycle mounted tr il p trol Usually only o e tw o rangers are on duty at once . i ni (A volunteer program is be ng i tiated to expand first aid and bicycle repair programs . )
The capital used to build the Park Service trails has in most cases come from special ’ contingency funds or from each park s operating funds . Repairs have all come from park l i a or c c a a u . oper ting funds regional y ic m nten nce f nds In either case, maintenance competes u i with many other projects . The NPS Washington office f nds techn cal assistance to parks l s and regional offices with rivers and trai s, but this money has seldom been u ed in the
National Capital Regional Office .
rt a fu i Some U S . Depa ment of Tr nsportation nds for road widen ng are available for bicycle - in l a . t a trai s and the enhancement of non recre tional bicycle routes In the Wash g on rea , this u c n co ld in lude all river bridge approaches, community co nectors, and cooperative projects l where commuter use has been documented . These funds are usual y Obtained competitively through state highway programs from the Federal Aid funds under the 1982
Highway Improvement Act.
38 ion o users and a lessenin o ils crea es new rails resul in in a na ural separa f g f Overflow traffic from congested tra t t , t g t t n ar Calver Rock Creek and Po omac Parkwa , e conflicts. t y t
39
H IV . C ALLENGES
The section of the Mount Vernon Trail that runs along parts of National Airport is an l s a ideal paved trail, concluded the Washington Area Bicyc ist A soci tion (WABA It l Al 1 . is 0 feet wide, smooth, gently curved and graded, and we l drained though parts of DC are a some trails in Washington, , in excellent condition, there are, however, number of serious challenges to meet .
The WABA report cites and illustrates these overall problems with the metropolitan trail of a of i a and a of system, the design trails, the avail bility nform tion, m tters management h and maintenance . To the problems t at these trail users have identified, the staff of the
a di al a . P rk Service and of local juris ctions have so dded others These problems, presented
ll li t to tw o ur . in the fo owing s s, are grouped according these main so ces
SYSTEM DESIGN
User Concerns :
fi n t nk Un nished co nections (such as the Crystal City unnel, and the Oxon Cove li
to Forest Heights) .
of fli c a f Areas visitor con ct (su h as the espl nade in front o the Kennedy Center) .
Staff concerns :
Lack of uniform or national standards when the trails were first built .
n Poor connections and coordi ation between different trails systems .
TRAIL DESIGN
User concerns:
i r Poor tra l su faces (especially in Rock Creek Park) .
t ls ll Narrow rai with rave ing, cracked edges .
Obstructions (such as bridge piers) .
f run- Steep, unsa e slopes, with no out at the bottom .
Unsafe bridges (such as the low -water bridge near Porter Street in Rock Creek
Park) .
Narrow bridge sidewalks (such as the Virginia Route 233 entrance to National
Airport) .
a - l a a i c D ngerous cross wa ks (such as round Memori l and Rosslyn C r les, at P Street
and at National Airport exits) .
41 Lack of protection from traffic when the trail lies next to a road (along the Rock
Creek and Potomac Parkway) .
e f u Poor sight distances (some wood d sections o the Mo nt Vernon Trail) .
Unsafe barriers intended to keep out motor vehicles .
Staff concerns
l fl dif of l : - l Trai con icts between ferent types trai users high speed cyc ists, pedestrians,
a . joggers, unle shed dogs
of fl n a n s li of Problems oodi g, steep topogr phy, and i acce sibi ty produced by the use
marginal land for parks .
l t l l l Prob ems of curva ure, side s ope, overhead and side c earance, and width on trai s
constructed before national standards were adopted .
INFORMATION SYSTEM
User concerns:
Lack of directional and safety signs almost every where .
Staff concerns :
I fi t l in ll n nsuf cient direc iona formation, especia y given i creasing interconnections of
trails in different jurisdictions .
i Lack of informat on about trails for potential users .
A T E M NAGEMENT, MAIN ENANC
User concerns:
u ll a . Poor sec rity in remote, unpatro ed reas away from roads
l r . Chronic potho es, t ee root bumps, and broken glass on the trails
Staff concerns :
Diverse user groups, some Of whom resent speed controls and other attempts at
regulation .
Wide variation in trail maintenance from one park to another .
’ Wide variation in users trail experiences from one park area to another .
Inconsistent procedures for inspection and maintenance of trails .
Lack of funds for new facilities as well as maintenance .
42
Curren rail si ns rovide onl minimal in orm mor in orma iv si ns are needed on a ion. Clearer e e t t g p y f t , f t g most trails.
Trees or r r r n in o t sid alk ea ha rd r Main Avenu at 15th S ree NW. ee oo s ha have ow he ew cr e za s o c clis s. t t t t g t t f y t e e t t,
44 O ND O O R V . REC MME ED P LICIES AND PR G AMS
The challenges described in the previous section are not insurmountable . Meeting them
e a and c . will, however, nt il both new programs new proje ts
a i l a Recommendations for overall man gement polic es follow, and a so for programs th t al address each type Of ch lenge described in the preceding section system design, trail - a c . design, information systems, and management/m intenan e The view is system wide; the ose is to lay the groundwork for recommending some 75 specific projects in " Recommendations; Construction Projects .
POLICIES
The following refinements of the national NPS Management Policies are suggested to i steer trail development and administration in the NPS National Cap tal Region .
The Service is encouraged to more widely disperse use of its metropolitan- area
trails by developing scenic trails in other locations .
Design trail systems to accommodate the recreational needs of the major types Of
users, addressing such factors as trip length, speed, and support services . Heavily
used trails near the city should be wider than less used trails farther out.
Trail types should be separated to minimize conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians where adequate land is available and environmental impacts will not
be adverse . Where uses must combine on one paved trail, accommodating measures
l a l l 10 . shou d be t ken, such as widening the trai to at east feet
Install a consistent sign system on NPS recreational trails in metropolitan D C . Washington, The system should offer route directions , warnings, and
interpretive information . Signs should be coordinated with other jurisdictions at key
intersections and access points .
SYSTEM DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
il i i As bicycle fac ities have prol ferated, so have standards or guidelines for design ng these f facilities . Three sets o standards have been used for this study: The American Association ’ of State Highway and Transportation Officials 1 981 Guide for Development of New Bicycle F T ’ acilitie AASH O U S . m a Manual o Uni orm Tra ic s ( ), the Depart ent of Transport tion s f f ff ontrol Devices MUT a a a a in 1 97 C ( CD), and report prepared for the Nation l C pit l Region 9 by Barton-Aschman Associates called National Park Service/National Capital Region Bikeway P lannin and esi n Manual. AASH TO g D g Most jurisdictions now accept the guidelines, l li l T D a though these guide nes are ess strict than formal standards. The MU C section on for i is l l signs b ke routes considered egal y binding in many areas .
The following standards should be followed where possible in the Washington area for - re a of a . visual consistency, user assur nce, and ease m intenance
45 ai l lanned in their entiret nm Tr ls shou d be p y , not piecemeal, so that alig ent questions, i ki bridge cross ngs, destinations, signs, intersections, par ng, and support facilities are e a i i addressed . Coherence is esp cially import nt where tra ls cross jurisd ctiona l lines .
Paved trails should conform to a uniform width of 8 to 1 0 feet . In areas of heavy
a a l l to 1 2 . n 25 il use ne r the city, tr i s shou d be widened feet Wideni g m es Of trail by an average Of 3 feet would cost as much as million .
- Pavement ul n and c a . n tw o c a sho d be smooth, even, u broken, le n A mi imum in h l yer of a ur a l a sphalt is the best s face, the le st visua ly intrusive pavement in park
- i . a xe s a env ronment Asph lt should be special mi d for trail , which must withst nd different vibration and use rates than roads . Seal coats shoul d be applied
- periodically to minimize cracking and spalling . Curves should be super elevated for 4 ease of travel . Smoothness and crown are best ensured by a graded subbase to fl 6 c h c . a on in hes t i k Pavement edges must be st ble, and ush to the ground both sides .
- Drainage is critical for safe trail use . Run Off from asphalt must b e handled by
catchb asins or a a . l swales, , cross dr in ge Dips, bumps, soft spots, and pudd es must
mi a . be eli nated so th t trail users do not lose control Gravel is not desirable,
: a a . especially on slopes when the edges drop away, gravel tr ils become haz rdous
Trail Bridges should be 2 or 3 feet wider than the adjoining trail to provide F r n l 1 a . o o 0 emergency m neuvering room when cyclists pass example, a trai feet
i ul 1 2 to 1 4 . h w de, bridges sho d be feet wide Approac es at either end may need
- periodic re pavement to account for abutment settling .
Tunnels and underpasses should be kept to a minimum since they are prone to poor i i f . drainage and poor vis bil ty. They also can be the scenes o unobserved crimes
Trail curvature l 100 500 . shou d be gentle ( to feet in radius) Sudden sharp curves, c - especially at bridges, can cause cy lists to lose control, yet a dead straight trail is r boring and leads to speeding . The ideal is a trail that offers views that a e continuously opening .
" Trail grade should be less than except for short distances where adequa te - run out is provided at the bottom .
Centerline and edge striping is recommended for all trails to help users stay on the
. Of c u a correct side At intersections and points onf sion, arrows indic ting lane "
r t ma a . di ec ion y be ppropriate Some parks are uneasy about visual intrusion, but n pai ted lines on trails are no more distasteful than stripes on a scenic parkway . an l k 8: t t Where entire trail i e the W OD has been s riped, there has been lit le adverse i t c and a ri . aesthe ic mpa t, most users h ve welcomed the st ping Also, the color Of striping can be experiemented with if the park wants to tone down the visual impact .
Intersection l hl s ia t s shou d be hig y vi ible, with appropr te s riping and signs that can
l . be seen by both cyclists and motorists, especia ly at night
Traffic signals should be timed so cyclists and pedestri ans can move comfortably through intersections .
46 not a l c Speed limits posted by signs are leg l y enforceable, sin e cyclists are not
required to have speedometers . The best way to control speed is to design the
trail so that the optimum speed is the most comfortable speed .
TRAIL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
a a e A well designed trail must meet complex criteria . Among the consider tions th t ne d to are of l to a be taken into account types route, re ationships nearby ro ds, the types of people
of a . who use the trail, the typ es cyclists in p rticular, and design details Following is a discussion not only of suggested standards but also of principles that contribute to good trail design .
Typ es of Routes
’ FH WA s 1986 study defines four major typ es of routes in and around cities: rural touring ea acc and r a a on- routes, urban recr tion routes, urban ess routes, an u b n (usu lly street) t all network . The urban network ries to accommodate types of trips and optimizes
Th cc a i u and t n n . directness and safety . e a ess routes usu lly have spec fic p rposes des i atio s The urban recreation routes are the most popular and attract the widest variety of users l with the widest range of experience . These trai s should optimize access, continuity,
t FH WA 1986 . 302 attractiveness, security, and easy grades and curva ure ( , , pp Most of the trails under discussion here are Of this type .
Relationships of Trails to Roads
Six relationships of trails to roads have been analyzed :
li . Shared roadway, with cyc sts in the travel lane
c 1 3 . Shared roadway, with a urb lane at least feet wide
3 . Roadside shoulder, at least feet wide - 4 . One way bike lane, at least feet wide - - 4 5 8 1 2 a e s . Sidewalk ( feet wide, or feet wide if sh red with p destrian ) - - Off road bike path or all users trail .
l l la Where trai s share the roadway, the width of the outside motor vehic e ne is the most i l A l 14 1 6 f signif cant factor in reducing conf icts with cars . ane to eet wide is i - e recommended if h gh speed cars are present; 12 feet is too narrow . The widen d lane ri should be st ped to prevent cars from doubling up in it . Because most bicycle accidents ur on- l low - traffic occ at intersections and driveways, road bicycle trai s are best located in l - 26 4- traffic FH WA 1986 . 5 85 residentia areas rather than in high commercial areas ( , , pp , , 1 - F A 08 1 10 . HW is now finalizing a study making recommendations for how best to accommodate bicycles on highways . )
n- l Marked o street anes for bicycles should be 5 feet wide; 4 feet is a minimum .
Off- road bicycle trails should be 5 feet wide for one-way traffic and 10 to 12 feet wide for
- - . l 10 two way use (Eight foot width is acceptable for ight use, but feet is considered m l O . u l e l l 2 . pti um ) Sho ders on either side shou d be grad d, c eared, and at east feet wide To ll a h a . of 25 m . prevent spi s, p vement edges should be st ble A design speed p should n - 2% - 5% be used, which mea s that the super elevation of curves should not exceed and
47 - r 1 - r i m a 1 50 foot radius is the desi able curvature (a 00 foot ad us is a inimum) . Sha rper in curves should be widened and warn g signs posted . Grades are best kept to less than - 2 stopping sight distances of 1 0 feet are a minimum .
Types of Users
- l cul l s Multi use trai s are more diffi t to design than bicycle trai s, since they mu t be sized l fl l l i . t s to satisfy not only cyc ists but a so wa kers, joggers, and h kers Con icts be ween u ers should be designed ou t as much as possible before a trail is constructed . Pedestrians tend - to c of 1 5 . i 6 to 10 or seek sceni , quiet loops moderate distance ( miles) H kers enjoy more ’ 1 - mile hikes for a day s outing . Cyclists prefer longer distances ( 0 30 miles) and are less sensitive to noise or intrusions .
Types of Cyclists
As 1 986 FH WA t . n the s udy observes, there is no typical, average design cyclist I stead, a or or a i cyclists in urban are s can be young retired, slow f st, exper enced or unsure, l l on . l ul . re axed or the way to work Some cyc ists ride a trai only once, others are reg ars 2 n FH WA FH WA 1986 . 0 li According to the ( , , pp most cyc sts fall i to one of six broad a : categories, e ch with somewhat different needs and requirements the Kid, the Novice, the u c al a Commuter, the Shopper, the To rist (espe i ly on regional routes), and the R cer (who ’ doesn t usually need or want trails anyway) .
Standard Design Details
Barriers to keep out motor vehicles, bike racks at places people want to park and lock c c and c to i their bi y les, curb cuts at intersections across streets, ounter loops record tra l - n use are among the details of multi use trails that deserve attention . Other details i clude t ri c - - in rail b dges, ulverts and end sections, pavement cross sections, sign mount gs and a a a s a and i r cle r nces, bulletin bo rd , inform tion kiosks ways des, street grates, railings, bar iers
. l t between motor vehicles and trail, water fountains, and benches Trail detai s hat have i " " proved successful nclude vehicle detectors that count bicycles . Also Ribbon Racks , are recommended by WABA and were recently pla ced at the entrance to Roosevelt Island . - m a Upside down U racks are found at Rosslyn Gateway Park . The District of Colu bi Bicycle Office can suggest additional details that have proved satisfactory in Washington and elsewhere .
r i l l l From the wide va iety of choices ava lab e, the detai s chosen shou d be consistent for the length of any given trail . Better still would be consistent details throughout an entire system .
General Principles of Trail Design
Less fixed than standards but potentially useful to designing trails are the following principles .
Existing corridors of disturbance (such as utility lines and abandoned rail corridors) should be followed where appropriate .
48 a Fragile or protected environments should be avoided, and adverse imp cts on other enviromn ents shoul d be minimized .
Trail alignment should be distinctly and consistently defined .
Routes should be aligned to facilitate personal security and police patrolling . The enjoyment of scenic features should be maximiz ed .
Long- distance routes should be combined with smaller loops and connectors to provide a variety Of trip options .
of s i l c u Although the use trail by pedestrians and cycl sts shou d be en o raged, use by motorized vehicles or horses should be discouraged .
F c - l lush urbs, full width curb cuts, widened parking spaces, and rest areas near trai heads should be used to make trails fully accessible to specia l populations .
l l i Bicyc e renta , map sales, and tour st promotion, and other visitor services should be encouraged .
Parking and access should be provided at key points .
Information Systems Considerations
Information systems are Often forgotten in the course of construction projects . Yet the " " software of trails (information) is as important as the hardware (the trails themselves)
and . and c is usually more cost effective Good signs, maps, bro hures can markedly l a improve the experience of trai s users, enh ncing their safety and their appreciation of natural and cultural resources .
Sign Planning Prin ciples
r n i Signs should welcome trail users, provide di ections (giving desti ations and m leages), f o a c ur . i warn haz rds, describe signifi ant feat es, supply and interpret information S gns a an i should be regularly spaced . C ution d cross ng signs at intersections should be visible " " a of to both the trail and the road at key intersections, To (n me trail) trail signs should
S a c . il a a a and how tr il hoices M eposts help tr il users me sure their accomplishments, and st ff l l ul po ice can use them to report ocations of accidents and repair work . Bridges sho d be la r - ll e i . All belled to assure trave ers that they are making the correct cross ng hazard, safety, l fl and regu atory signs should be re ective for visibility at night .
The i l i a shape, style, sett ng, mounting, co or, and letter ng of signs should be ppropriate to a i and a i the p rk env ronment also h rmonize with signs used by adjoining tra l systems . The accepted standard for signs comes from the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) . NPS Si n Manual to MUTCD for a The g defers the tr il signs, though it also f - n- o o . recommends the use white brown recreational symbols At present, though, no un l - t symbol is popularly derstood to indicate a mu ti purpose trail, and here are no e a for the of e ea a re u la complet stand rds variety signs needed in a r cr tion l setting g tory, " i a r d rection l, inte pretive, hazard, warning, and etiquette signs .
49 i ir a l The MUTCD bicycle symbol (somet mes used with a d ection l arrow), though common y used, is inadequate because it does not give trail users a sense of where they are and
a to c . s i a e wh t expe t By it elf, the b cy cle symbol is lmost worthless, since it gives non Of the f a or a i for in orm tion about directions, trail condition, route length th t tra l users need reassurance .
a of l h l n FH A Where there is choice trai s, signs s ou d i dicate a preferred route; the W " " r 1 n e a o a m 1986 . 63 w a sugg sts p thfinder signs p vement sy bols ( , pp A other y to ui a reduce ambig ty is to develop a tr il blaze that marks main trails by color, logo, or f r i - i o x s n . m . r o nu ber The Dist ct of Columbia, e ample, is us ng trail blaze for street routes c a c of ia or a NPS a for Sin e m ny Distri t Columb routes cross run long p rk land, signs the ’ tw o i . i i it i ls ul systems should be coord nated For s mpl c y s sake, s ngle trai sho d be given
c i a a . dis rete identit es, r ther th n entire loops
Signs are critically needed at many downtown trail intersections near Potomac River s l : bridges and at the intersections Of loop systems . Sign are needed at these ocations
The Mall Rosslyn Circle
Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, east and west ends
Memorial Bridge, east and west ends Mount Vernon Trail at Four Mile Run Rock Creek Trail at Virginia Avenue Rock Creek Trail at C 8: 0 Cana l Rock Creek Trail at Constitution Avenue C 8: 0 Canal at connector trail to Key Bridge Oxon Cove
Formalizing principal entrances and interfaces throughout the system with park signs and information panels would emphasize NPS identity and help visitors . Park entrance signs should be posted at the following places:
Existing:
e a M mori l Bridge, Virginia side Rock Creek Park at the Montgomery County line Ends of the Fort Circle system C 8: 0 Canal at Georgetown Georgetown waterfront under the Aqueduct Bridge Mount Vernon Trail south Of Alexandria Mount Vernon Trail bridge entering GWMP at Rosslyn
Future:
Intersection of trails near Fort Lincoln along the Anacostia River The Crystal City connector tunnel Oxon Cove at the DC line Ends of the Potomac Heritage Trail
50
a l r H You user groups and the N tiona Park Se vice, perhaps titled ave Outgrown These " - — a " for a e to ou . Tr ils might, ex mple, encourag high speed cyclists use street routes
n e H ow for Brochures o sp cial topics to Shorten Your Commute, example could be " i developed for trail users . So could brochures on special themes See ng the Fort Circle " " c a or Parks by Bicy le, Scenic Views along the Potom c Shoreline, even The Bridges of L’Enf n in . a t and Wash gton by Bicycle Other possible themes include the Plan, statues t a f of ‘ G eor e monuments , the s ream valley parks, gardens and arboret , scenes from the li e g i - i of e a . Wash ngton, homes past pr s dents, and key sites in Afro Americ n history
Such brochures could be initiated by the Park Service or a coalition Of park and recreation l a . and l advoc cy groups Funding cou d be shared by the NPS, user groups, the bicyc ing industry .
i a e To ma xim ze visitor s fety, brochur s (and posters) should promote the use Of bicycling All n helmets and gloves . NPS photographs showing cyclists a d ranger patrols should set a good example by showing safety helmets and gloves . (As a result of such efforts
l DC . a . a ready, the rea leads the nation in helmet use )
a i n an a d In summ ry, comb ning sig s, maps, and brochures in integr te information system should be a key component of trail planning. Such a system costs much less than ’ a n n a a r 5 inst lling and mai tai ing tr il pavement, yet immeasur bly enriches the trail use experience .
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
l i fu l Besides the norma procedures for project in tiation, nding, p anning, design, and l l s n construction, the Nationa Park Service shou d take other action to rou d out its trail i program in the National Cap tal Region .
Participate regularly in the Council of Governments (COG) Bicycle Technical Advisory
Subcommittee.
metro olitan-area trail manual Encourage COG to develop a p to coordinate design, fu in of ul -use construction, signing, Operations, nd g, and monitoring paved, m ti
trails .
l l interest rou s il Estab ish regu ar contact with g p affected by NPS paved tra s, perhaps t f li l l through newsle ters, symposiums , con erences, pub c workshops, or trai comp etion
ceremonies .
Acknowled e su ort for NPS ac g pp efforts , such as the recent resolution by the Potom
Pedalers Touring Club supporting an expanded trail system (see Appendix C) .
Work with U S . Department of Transportation (DOT) to have projects listed in the " " i 3C planning process to Obta n fu nding .
t s - Apply for U S . Depar ment of Tran portation funds for commuter used routes (especially bridge connections) and help ensure critical projects are listed on state
capital improvement lists . COG could play a key role in coordinating this across
the metropolitan area .
52 or a a manual In cooperation with COG another metropolit n organization, develop
on trail details that encourages visual consistency and ease of maintenance . The details discussed should include those tha t have proved successful in similar
situations .
a l or a t a t Nominate tr i segments, loops an entire tr il system as Na ion l Recrea ion
Trails for inclusion by the Secretary of the Interior in the National Trail System. Trails leading to the Mount Vernon Trail and the C8:D Canal towpath can also be
certified as connectors to the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail .
NPS trail ma i n Develop an p for the entire metropol tan area , showi g connections to 2 other systems and notes on trail conditions . This should be updated every to 5
years as conditions change. (Estimated cost for a run of is plus the
cost of layout and artwork . )
one or inter retive trail routes r a a Initiate more p th ough the metropolit n rea, with a
- map brochure keyed to interpretive signs at key sites . Bicycle companies and -u f r dealers could be approached to fund the start p costs o such a program .
Systematically evaluate existing and proposed projects for usability by special
populations.
f l m l donor ro ram Within each park, initiate or strengthen gi ts cata ogues and si i ar p g s to bring in private and matching funds for recreation-related trail projects ineligible
for DOT funding .
Encourage park staff to participate in trail safety workshops. Cycling clinics sponsored by the Park Service or local cycling groups could take place in the
a a or . parks, in neighborhood recre tion f cilities, in schools
l volunteers . Encourage to help with trai s Work projects, demonstration projects, and " " -a- a l a n l adopt tr i progr ms ca be matched with interested individua s and groups .
as now i Install electronic counters, such those in use along the Mount Vernon Tra l,
to measure trail use over time and ascertain changes . Advocate the use of these u l co nters by others to estab ish a wider base of data for the entire area .
elebrate accom lishments c n a a so C p with opening eremo ies, annivers ries, and wards that r a those who pa ticip ted get credit for what they have done .
RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE ACTIONS
The following actions should be funded and staffed as a regular part of park maintenance and operation .
I l l ll l nspect trai s regular y, checking especia y for safety prob ems, vegetation that
needs clearing, and signs .
Provide annual evaluation reports to superintendents and the regional office from i responsible maintenance divisions that outl ne problems and recommend solutions . " l " These could be called trai s inventory and condition assessments .
53 - r GWMP O ROCR Conduct semi annual meetings of the five supe intendents ( , CH H, , A N CC t . , and NACE) to discuss common concerns, problems, safe y issues, etc Representatives of major user groups and other governmental bodies could attend
as appropriate .
Prepare a regional manual on trail maintenance and details to promote visual and i functional uniformity . This m ght be sponsored and produced by the Washington n ll Area Cou cil of Governments (COG) for use by a agencies that manage trails .
for a : R R l GWMP OC . En arge trails crews three p rks , , and NACE
a Use more volunteer help for inspection, evalu tion, and some maintenance, such
as trail cleaning .
a i - u 8: 0 a a Est bl sh bike mo nted patrols for the C Can l towp th, Rock Creek Park, a - and National C pital Parks East that are similar to the Mount Vernon Trail patrol .
Develop a separate code for bicycle accidents along trails so that accident rec ords
are more accurate .
a a . O c a i for Give greater ttention to ice and snow remov l n e ice h rdens, it rema ns
if DC . all weeks; it is promptly removed or melted , trails in the area are usable
winter.
f r n- Certain tips may be useful o o site maintenance crews .
a a a . w s a Bumpy root re s ne r trees should be smoothed every few years Other i e, tr il
surfaces break up and become unsafe .
Large maintenance vehicles should not be driven on narrow trails where the wheelS
can damage trail edges .
Reflectorized signs or temporary barriers should be posted in hazardous areas such
fl a . a as ooded zones, w shouts, and downed trees Tempor ry obstructions, such as or a a fl l posts, potholes, r ilings, should be p inted re ective yel ow or orange for l visibi ity.
54 I O E O O O T V . REC MM NDED C NSTRUCTI N PR JEC S
f t Many o the Opportunities for improving the NPS trail ne work are, as the preceding
i a a . a i a sect on demonstr tes, progr mmatic and informational In m ny instances, coord n tion with other agencies and governments would allow National Park Service to complete - useful projects at little or no expense to the government . The next most cost effec tive
n . projects would be to bri g existing facilities up to accepted standards Most expensive, but a to ur a a of t a l perhaps most valu ble fut e gener tions, would be the cre tion new r i s to i integrate and enlarge a comprehensive metropolitan tra l system .
The potential exists in the Washington metropolitan area for a region-wide system Of trails
a i of n . with h erarchy sizes and fu ctions Realizing this potential requires setting priorities, l s s a a however . To help rea ize thi potential, thi report recommends that the N tion l Park c e u a to Servi e help cr ate six interj risdictional, interlocking tr il loops that connect five c a a 1 regional trails . This would produ e tr il system more than 50 miles long serving a large number of urban and suburban communities within the Capital Beltway .
of n Dozens construction projects are proposed and described in the followi g pages, by
a a c n . implementation str tegy, by loop system, by priority, by p rk, and by ooperati g agency
Several of these projects help to implement the loop trail system . The chapter concludes l f 1 1 - with a detai ed discussion o top priority projects .
THE LOOP SYSTEM
The system of interlocking loops would consist primarily of the following trails:
r n t oo : l l The A li g on L p Custis Trai , Four Mi e Run Trail, and Mount Vernon Trail lin n along the Potomac shore e (connecting to the W8:OD Trail and Mou t Vernon) .
The a a o : Ru n Alex ndri L op Braddock Road, Holmes , and the Mount Vernon Trail
along the Alexandria waterfront .
The Little Falls/Rock Creek Loop : Capital Crescent Trail (formerly known as the CSX Georgetown Branch) connecting to the Rock Creek Trail in Chevy Chase and to downtown (connecting the C8:O Canal towpath) .
The Capital Crescent/Sligo Loop: encircling the city through the Maryland suburbs l l on the Capital Crescent Trail , Si ver Spring, Sligo Valley, Northeast Branch Va ley, A l ls C8:O the nacostia shoreline, and Mal trai (connecting to the Canal towpath, the c a Greenbelt onnector, and the Potom c Heritage Trail) .
The Henson Creek/Oxon Run Loop : joining fragments Of trail along these creeks with new trails along Suitland Parkway and the Potomac shoreline (connects to the l Potomac Heritage Trai ) .
Potomac Shoreline Loop : using bridges and shoreline trails on both sides of the
Potomac from Key Bridge south to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, this loop joins
all the others .
Two proposed trails outside NPS areas would augment this system of loops: a Metropolitan Branch rails - to-trails conversion along the CSX tracks from Silver Spring to
55 s of i a Union Station, and a Di trict Columbia b keway along the reconstruction of the Suitl nd
Parkway from the Frederick Douglass Bridge to the Maryla nd line .
Specific projects associated with these metropolitan loops are listed later in this chapter .
PROJECTS BY IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
of i i in W i a a Some the projects cons dered below were nom nated the ABA tra ls ev lu tion, a or a c a a others were suggested by p rk staff loc l bicycle oordin tors, and few were observed il by the planning team . Some projects are the responsibility of NPS alone, wh e others All require cooperation and coordination with other agencies and jurisdictions . the projects are listed below by park and implementation strategy
The letter code represents the park in which each project is located:
C C 8: 0 Canal National Historic Park E National Capital Parks— East G George Washington Memorial Parkway M National Capital Parks— Central (Mall area) R Rock Creek Park
The number indicates implementation strategy
10 series Projects on existing NPS trails 20 series New projects that expand the NPS trail network 30 series Projects requiring cooperation with others 40 l series Projects fu ly the responsibility of others, but from which NPS can
benefit .
The projects are not listed in order of priority; participating agencies are listed for projects requiring cooperation and projects fully the responsibility of others .
“ Improvement Proj ects on Existing NPS Routes
1 0 a a ls i l i C Repair towp th near Great F l , espec a ly providing smooth al gnments as
alternatives to rough, rocky areas .
C 1 1 Establish a clearly marked connecting route from the Georgetown shoreline trail to
Key Bridge and the Mount Vernon Trail across the Potomac River in Virginia . This
project must also include a pedestrian link to the C 8: 0 Canal towpath . (See projects C 20 and C
- E 10 Improve the Fort Circle hiker biker trail between Fort Mahan and Fort Stanton .
10 l l 10 l 8 . G Widen the Mount Vernon Trai wherever possib e to feet, or at east feet This In is best done during repaving . areas Of heaviest use (near the city center and
major bridges) widen to 12 feet.
G 1 1 Relocate the trail at Gravelly Point to eliminate conflicts between cars and cyclists l di in the parking lot . (Park staff have drawn up a p an, but fun ng is not yet
available . )
56 G 1 2 Soften curvature and grades at a culvert just north of Daingerfield Island .
f a a ur r . G 13 South o Alex ndri , straighten sharp c ves, seek less steep g ades where possible
f C 1 4 Provide an attractive barrier between the Parkway and the trail north o the airport . This is especially important to protect trail users from on- coming headlights and — to protect bikers from falling into fast moving traffic .
10 Improve the pedestrian crossings at Independence Avenue and Madison Drive at
- 1 th n ur i a n l . 5 Street, wide ing c b cuts and nst lli g pedestrian activated signa s
-fills ll - Replace unsightly curb and wedges with fu width curb cuts, warping the
sidewalk as necessary .
12 i l . M At the Tidal Bas n inlet bridge, rep ace steps in the sidewalk with ramps Widen
the trail and sidewalk to at least 8 feet .
’ M 13 Repave the roads in Presidents Park South (the Ellipse) that are periodically used
for bicycle races and rallies .
i n 14 n i Widen the tra l co nections to the th Street a d Roosevelt Bridges . Prov de
warning signs and stri ped crossings at ramps .
M 1 5 Repair the Maine Avenue sidewalks by the Tidal Basin .
M 1 6 Replace unsafe drain grates with cross-slot patterns to improve bicycle safety
throughout the Mall area .
17 Formalize the Maine Avenue sidewalk trail at 1 5th Street through traffic islands to ’
D. . connect with C s signed bike route along the waterfront .
M 18 l 2 r Extend sidewa ks along Independence Avenue from French Drive to 3 d Street .
M 19 Widen Kutz Bridge sidewalks and approaches on the south side to relieve
pedestrian and cyclist congestion .
Replace low- water bridge near Porter Street with a standard flood- resistant arched
bridge .
R 1 1 l Increase the vertical clearance under the K ingle Road bridge by Rock Creek .
R 12 l t n . l Widen bridge sidewalk for trai , just south of the zoo u nel As an a ternative,
build new, separate bridge across creek.
to 8 a l Widen feet, remove rough spots, and repave the Rock Creek Tr i from the l ZOO Nationa north to Broad Branch Road .
— Re S Avenue Bin ham l l grade, widen, resurface, and ign the Oregon / g Road oop a ong s the we t side of Rock Creek Park .
57 T 1 1 G ra ve lly qP O c t z o ne ‘
Na tio na l Airp ort rga ba rrie r
PROPOS EO IMPROV EMENTS M “ 3 To EXI STI N G NPS ROUT ES
i n Tra l, and safe trail passage across and under the Boundary Chan el Bridge near
Columbia Island Marina .
G 21 Provide a trail connection from the east end of the Crystal City overpass (Virginia 233 l Route ) to the Mount Vernon Trai , preventing further erosion and scenic
degradation .
Construct the new shoreline trail loop as planned around the outer edge of
Daingerfield Island .
G 23 Add a gravel and boardwalk interpretive loop at the north end of the Dyke Marsh
a a a i an a a a lr a . bo rdw lk, in p rt us ng b ndoned r i o d bed
M 20 Widen the shoreline promenade by the Kennedy Center to reduce conflicts between
moving cyclists and standing pedestrians .
M 21 a 1 5th Construct paved trail parallel to Street, and west of it, from Constitution e to a e e of the m and Avenu south M in Avenu , through the edge Monu ent grounds l z Opposite the Bureau of Printing and Engraving . The trail shou d minimi e conflicts with standing and strolling pedestrians; it would be best built as curb lanes when are e or as an a ac e a ac e to streets wid ned, dj ent lane with the sid w lk moved b k n xt
it .
Stri pe and sign ramp crossings of trail at east end of Memorial Bridge to reduce R - m flo . e i potential accidents . I prove traffic w around the Lincoln Memorial exam ne
crossings for unnecessary or inconsistent YIELD signs. Also indicate destinations
and alert pedestrians that bicycles are sharing sidewalks .
Initiate a study to determine how to create a safer tunnel for trail users under the bridges by the Watergate below the Lincoln Memorial by w idening and smoothing
trail pavement .
24 Improve the trail route along the south side of Constitution Avenue from the ’ Tourmob ile a c c l 7ib a to lane, round the Lo kkeeper s House, a ross Street, and e st 14th Street across the Washington Monument grounds to minimize pedestrian and t ul bicycle conflicts . The solu ion co d be either a widened sidewalk or a separate
paved trail .
R 20 Build more trail connections into Rock Creek Park from adjoining street or sidewalk c at a l trails , espe ially Piney Br nch Parkway, Cathedral and Calvert Streets (a so called
ill A . Shoreham H ), and Blagden venue These could include either striped shoulder - lanes or Off road trails . (See projects R 31 and R
l s 61 . See Sugge ted New NPS Trai Projects, page
R 21 Create safer ramp crossings for the trail at P Street and Pennsylvania Avenue .
R 22 Connect Massachusetts Avenue to the Rock Creek trail by indicating use of Lovers for t of Lane (now gravel) bicycles, paving only the lower, steeper por ions the trail s i a c along the Dumbarton stream . Thi requ res a bridge cross Ro k Creek by the In f gauging station . ( the future this might connect to a relocation o the Rock Creek
Trail along the west side of the creek from this point to Shoreham Hill .
60 g lw orth Park
amps
0 Oxon Cove c on
/ “ e "3 " W E2 4 Potomac He ritage Tra e fFort Foo te
B2 3 Potomac He ritage Trail at Pisc a taw a y Park
S UGG E ST E D NEw SCAL E. NPS T RA"L PR OJ E CT S W Another paved connector could eventually follow the Dumbarton stream west all to W a e ea Wi c i a c e the way hiteh ven Str et n r s ons n Avenue, unless the l nds ap
preservation project there precludes such a route . )
R 23 Consider ways to complete the Rock Creek trail north from Broad Branch Road for
sa fe use during weekdays .
R 24 Move the trail Off the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway shoulder to promote If a . a safety this is impossible, inst ll barrier separating the types of traffic, widening
the trail to accommodate heavy use .
i m 63 . See Proposed Barney C rcle Freeway I provements, page
Cooperative Projects
Many of these projects have been suggested by county and city trails coordinators and -E citizen groups . Some in National Capital Parks ast are part of the Barney Circle Freeway l u D . e c ac R v ec . C Proj t This project is being b i t by the gov rnment, rossing the An ostia i er just north of Pennsylvania Avenue . In compensation for using parkland along the i i l l Anacost a R ver, a variety of park faci ities wi l be installed in this area, including paved trails on both sides of the Anacostia River between the Benning Road and Martin Luther f King bridges . Many o the projects of this category in NACE will tie into the Barney i f f ul . t O Circle work If the rails are not bu lt as part the reeway project, they sho d be installed later (at least on one side of the river) to make usable the proposed Anacostia
River Trail .
C 30 Complete purchase from the current owner of the Georgetown Branch railroad
corridor within the District of Columbia .
n C 31 Aid community access to C 8: 0 Canal in DC . a d Montgomery County by paving r f n in or g ading in ormal, unsafe access poi ts, such as Riverside Road Cabin John, c n ni working with the ne essary cou ty and commu ty governments .
30 l l A E Deve op the Potomac Heritage Trai from Oxon Cove to Port merica, per the Potomac Heritage Trail Task Force report of 1980 (see NCR drawing 851 ’ Work with Prince George s County to extend the trail to Fort Foote . Urge the interstate commission and fed eral highway authorities responsible for the Woodr ow Wilson Bridge to include a safe pedestri an/bicycle crossing when the bridge is enlarged to link to the Mount Vernon Trail (See project E/G
E 31 Build the paved Potomac Heritage Trail across the mouth Of Broad Creek near l a u . s H rmony Hall, respecting easements and historic feat res Thi wou d connect to ’ M- PP NC C S trails along Henson Creek .
’ E 32 Encourage Prince George s County to make an on-street spur trail to Fort ashington a in from the Potomac Herit ge Trail, since the shorel e within the Fort is inadequate
for a trail.
33 DC. E At Oxon Cove, in cooperation with the government, work to remove
r . unnecessary ba riers and posts, completing unpaved segments
62 “ ‘ i S piral ramp c onne c tions
in s to e xlstlng b rldg e c ross g
I su mmon NAV Y m et)
line ra ils Propo se d Shore t
sc m P R O P O S E D B A R N E Y C IR C LE O a “zMne E F R E E WAY IM PROV EM E N T S . Run E 34 . a l a to l Connect existing D C tr i s north long Oxon the Suit and Parkway, in ’ ’ cooperation with Prince George s County trail links in that area and D. C. s
proposed trails along Suitland Parkway west of Oxon Run . Such a connection would join the Congress Heights and Naylor Road METRO stations and should be
included in mitigations of rapid rail construction .
35 Connect the proposed Fort Lincoln trail to the Anacostia shoreline and Kenilworth r Park . One way is to work with the Distri ct government to extend Easte n Avenue
across the Anacostia River to tie the Fort Circle trail to the Anacostia trail. As an
a e a i U S . e 50 e e e e or e u c u e a lt rn t ve, if the Rout bridge is v r wid n d r b ilt, in l d n i connecting crossing there . A temporary trail structure hu g from the br dge could
be installed in the meantime .
E 36 Extend Kenilworth Park trails east along Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue to Watts - f- . . t o a . Branch and the Fort Circle trails, using D C s reet rights way as necess ry
E 37 Build a new paved trail along the south side of Suitland Parkway between Naylor i r and Su tland Roads, fo ming the northern link of the Oxon Run/Henson Creek ’
l D. C. s l oop, and connecting to proposed trai s along the west end of the Suitland
Parkway .
E 38 Explore the feasibility of establishing signed connector routes from major trails c c a l to i a a c as (su h as the Fort Cir le Tr i ) sign fic nt ne rby sites, su h the Frederick — n D . Douglass Home . This may involve using o street routes coordinated with the C
government .
Complete esplanade development Of Buzzards Point to encourage multi- use
recreation along the Anacostia River waterfront . Coordinate closely with urban redevelopment authorities there to form a continuous waterfront trail from the
Douglass Bridge around Fort McNair to the Washington Channel waterfront .
G 30 Remove unsafe at- grade trail intersections at National Airport by building ll overpasses . This work wi be funded and constructed as part of the renovation of
National Airport .
C 31 a to Clean up trail details around Rosslyn Circle, an import nt access node various
t . l rails , bridges, and urban routes This inc udes sidewalks consistently widened to 1 2 c a a no- - —on- feet, a onsistent sign system, dequ te curb cuts, and right turn red n r (a d/o delayed green) posted at exit ramps from the circle . Work must be
c a l FHWA. oordin ted with Arlington and District governments, as wel as
G 32 Complete the trail connection between the Mount Vernon Trail and Crystal City via
the existing tunnel under the railroad . This will also serve as a pedestrian access i n point for National Airport . Both Arl ngton Cou ty and the Airports Authority have
an interest in this project .
G 33 Complete adequate links from the Virginia end of the Roosevelt Bridge to the NPS l l shoreline trail . This cou d include a spiral or folded trai ramp connecting the F bridge sidewalk along the south side to the Potomac shoreline trail below . lam ing s d in mu t be coor inated with the Virg ia Department of Transportation, the National
a a a i m . C pit l Pl nning Commission, and the F ne Arts Com ission
64 trolle y
E3 3 Oxon rie rs and posts
' “ E3 0 Po toma c rita g e Tra il Ox o n C ove me ric a
§ H e rita e Tra f P o to mac , g fi B ro a d Cre e k B rid g e
P o to ma c H e rita g e Tra il Fort W a shing ton sp ur
PRO POS ED COOPERATI V E 0 1 3 4 Mile s — — i TRA IL PROJ ECTS Sggfiii n G 34 l A at l Work with the Genera Services dministr ion, the Defense Department, Ar ington
- - County, and others as necessary to complete both a north south and an east west m ra u e ea e . a ac a e ew a e a e t il ro t n r the P ntagon In ny pl es fr gm nts Of sid lk, ov rp ss s,
and tunnels exist . This project must be closely coordinated with the Columbia Island projects (See G
G BS Provide an Off- road alternative to portions of the MacArthur Boulevard paved trail near Glen Echo by re- establishing federal ownership of the former troll ey - - u right Oi way and developing parts of it for trail use . Coordination is req ired with
D . C as U S . of Montgomery County and governments, well as the Army Corps
Engineers .
G 36 - of l n Establish a paved multi use trail along the top the Potomac Pa isades, paralleli g ’ the inbound Parkway . Connecting to Fairfax County 5 Dranesville Park near the ’ t i 5 l Capital Bel way and follow ng the Parkway uphill slopes to Spout Run, this trai would then cross the former Uhle Street bridge alignment and connect into the n ’ Custis Trail west of Rosslyn . Arli gton County 5 Bicycle Office could take the lead
on this project .
M O m i— ac and to ma a Wa B I prove mult use cess ramps the Poto c Promen de along ter Street,
DC . . SW, between M and P Streets, in cooperation with the government
- R 30 Seek an alternative to Off hour use of the Zoo tunnel for trail users . Encourage the Smithsonian Institution to re-design its security so that the streamside trail can be
used 24 hours a day all year without damaging ZOO interests .
n i u Kl R 31 Encourage the DC . government to i clude b ke lane sho lders along ingle Road — when it is re built .
“ R 32 a a c in a i i Explore routes along Bro d Br n h Road, both on the shoulder and the djo n ng
a to a i . p rk, install a s fe trail route serving northwest Wash ngton and Chevy Chase
DC. r u a Work closely with the gove nment, which has j risdiction Over the ro d - - right Of way .
- R . on i 33 Coordinate a proposed D C . street bicycle route along Wh tehaven Parkway to Wisconsin Avenue perhaps tying in to a future connecting trail farther east through Dumbarton Park (See project R
In R 34 Install paved trail between the Fort Totten METRO station and Fort Lincoln . a l i on- i m ny p aces th s could be a signed, street tra l where traffic volumes are low,
l . a l il such as along Gal atin Street Appropriate m rkers shou d indicate crossing tra s,
such as the Mt . Rainier trail on Varnum Road . Coordination should occur with the MATA DC. a t W Dep r ment Of Public Works , neighborhood and community groups, ,
and bicycling groups .
O 65 . See Trail Projects by thers, page
PROJECTS BY OTHERS
These projects relate to NPS trail routes and ma y help connect them to nearby trails 8: 0 but lie entirely outside NPS jurisdiction . None is listed or recommended for the C
Canal or Rock Creek Park .
66
E4 O S S
G4 1 On a tive to Mount Vernon Trail
T R A IL P R OJ E C T S B Y OT H E R S 3 4 Mile s R 21 Ramp crossings at P Street and Pennsylvania Avenue R 23 Completion of northern section of Rock Creek Trail R 24 Barrier or removal of trail off road shoulder R 30 Alternatives to Zoo tunnel
Capital Crescent/Sligo Loop
Developing the Georgetown Branch rail trail in DC . Georgetown waterfront esplanade Repair for Arizona Avenue bridge across Canal Road Completion Of Georgetown Branch rail corridor purchase Anacostia Trail north into Prince George’ s County Link from Kenilworth Park to Watts Branch Connections to Greenbelt Park Kennedy Center shoreline promenade Capitol grounds east- west routes
Henson Creek/Oxon Run Loop
Oxon Cove connection north to DC. parks and Potomac Heritage Trail at Fort Foote Potomac Heritage Trail south from Oxon Cove Potomac Heritage Trail at Broad Creek Fort Washington Spur Trail Oxon Run Trail to Suitland Parkway Suitland Parkway Trail Trail connection across Wilson Bridge
Potomac Shoreline Loop
C 1 1 Link between Georgetown shorelin e trail and Key Bridge E 30 Potomac Heritage Trail south from Oxon Cove E 39 Buzzards Point Esplanade E/G 40 Trail connection across Wilson Bridge E 41 Southeast Potomac shoreline trail G 1 1 Gravelly Point conflict zone G 12 Culvert north of Daingerfield Island G 14 Airport area barrier G 20 l t ils l l Columbia Is and ra , especia ly Memoria and Humpback Bridges G 30 National Airport ramp conflicts G 31 Rosslyn Circle G 33 Virginia approaches to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Z 5 Tidal Basin inlet bridge Z 3 Approaches to 14th St . and Theodore Roosevelt Bridges Z 3 Maine Avenue sidewalk trail from 1 5th Street east Z 8 Kennedy Center shoreline promenade Z 5 Lincoln Memorial Circle ramp crossings 3 Z 0 Tunnel trails under bridges by Watergate steps Z 8 a m Potom c Promenade i provements .
69 PROJECTS BY PRIORITY
n This enormous list Of projects ca be prioritized in numerous ways . The staff of Rock e a i : - Creek Park suggest d ranking key f ctors in the follow ng order safety, cost effectiveness,
c e and i u c i . a e on e ac the c e e network ompl tion, pos tive p bli relat ons B s d thes f tors, proje ts w r : n l h to a d ow . divided into t ree groups p, medium, priority
Most of the eleven top priority projects involve major safety problems in areas of
i i i and all ul c s e . a m s gn ficant publ c use, Of these sho d be on idered urg nt Sever l are i portant i links to improving trail access and building the metropol tan loop system . Each - f top priority project is described in detail at the end o this chapter .
Top Priority
20 um a l G Col bia Island trails, especi l y Memorial and Humpback Bridges G 30 National Airport ramp conflicts R 30 Alternatives to Zoo tunnel R 10 Replacement of low- water bridge near Porter Street R 23 Completion of northern section of Rock Creek Trail R 32 Broad Branch Connector into Rock Creek Park G 14 Airport area barrier " C 20 Developing the Georgetown Branch rail trail in DC. M 22 Lincoln Memorial Circle ramp crossings 1 0 Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail Improvements G 40 Trail connection across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Medium Priority
Repair for Arizona Avenue Bridge across Canal Road Completion of Georgetown Branch rail corridor purchase Extend River Terrace Trail south and north Potomac Heritage Trail south from Oxon Cove Oxon Cove posts and barriers ’ Anacostia Trail north into Prince George s County Southeast Potomac shoreline trail WB8:A Corridor to Baltimore and Annapolis Connections to Greenbelt Park Widening Mount Vernon Trail Gravelly Point conflict zone Culvert north of Daingerfield Island t a 233 Crystal Ci y overpass, Virgini Route Rosslyn Circle Crystal City connector tunnel Virginia approaches to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Pentagon area trails Tidal Basin inlet bridge Approaches to 14th Street and Theodore Roosevelt Bridges Safer street grates Ma ine Avenue sidewalk trail from 1 5th Street east Kutz Bridge sidewalk widening Kennedy Center shoreline promenade
70 1 5th Street trail across Mall Constitution Avenue from 1 7th to 14th Streets Capitol Grounds east- west routes Klingle Road underpass clearance Bridge widening south of Zoo tunnel Widen and repave Rock Creek Trail north Of ZOO Side connections into park Ramp crossings at P Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Lovers Lane connec tion to Massachusetts Avenue ri l l Off ul Bar er, or remova of trai of road sho ders Klingle Road connector
Low Priority
Towpath repair near Great Falls Link betw een Georgetow n shorelin e trail and Key Bridge Georgetown waterfront esplanade Additional community access points i a Oxon Cove connect on north to DC . p rks and trails Link from Anacostia to Fort Dupont Potomac Heritage Trail in Piscataway Park Potomac Heritage Trail at Fort Foote Potomac Heritage Trail at Broad Creek Fort Washington spur trail Oxon Run trail to Suitland Parkway Link from Kenilworth Park Watts Branch Suitland Parkway Trail Trail connectors to Frederick Douglass Home Buzz ards Point Esplanade Better curves and grades south of Alexandria Daingerfield Island loop trail Dyke Marsh interpretive loop trail Glen Echo trolley corridor Palisades trail On-street alternative to Mou nt Vernon Trail Curb cuts Repave Ellipse roadways Maine Avenue sidewalks Independence Avenue sidewalk near 23rd Street Tunnel trails under bridges by Watergate steps Potomac Promenade improvements Repave trail loop near Oregon Avenue Future bridge deck w idenings Park Road shoulder widening Link between Whitehaven Parkway and Wisconsin Avenue Link from Fort Totten to Fort Lincoln
71 PROJECTS BY PARK
l i These projects can a so be grouped by park, to help managers establ sh budgets, set
e and ac a c i e . ll a c r t prioriti s, tr k c ompl shm nts The fo owing list r nks the proje ts by p iori y level within each park .
C 8: 0 Canal National Historical Park
: 20 i in D Top Priority C Developing the Georgetown Branch rail tra l C.
Medium Priority: C 22 Repair for Ariz ona Avenue Bridge Across Canal Road C 30 Completion of Georgetown Branch rail corridor purchase
Low Priority: C 10 Towpath Repair near Grea t Falls C 1 1 Georgetown shoreline trail link to Key Bridge C 21 Georgetown waterfront esplanade C 31 Additional community access points
National Capital Parks -East
Top Priority: 1 0 Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail improvements 40 Trail connection across Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Medium Priority: E 22 Extend River Terrace Trail south and north E 30 Potomac Heritage Trail south from Oxon Cove 33 Oxon Cove posts and barriers ’ 35 Anacostia Trail north into Prince George s Coun ty E 41 Southeast Potomac shoreline trail E 42 WB8:A corridor to Baltimore and Annapolis E 43 Connections to Greenbelt Park
: Low Priority Oxon Cove connection north to DC . parks and Link From Anacostia Park to Fort Dupont Potomac Heritage Trail in Piscataway Park Potomac Heritage Trail at Fort Foote Potomac Heritage Trail at Broad Creek Fort Washington spur trail Oxon Run trail to Suitland Parkway Link from Kenilworth Park to Watts Branch Suitland Parkway trail Trail connections to Frederick Douglass Home Buzzards Point Esplanade
George Washington Memorial Parkw ay
Top Priority: C 14 Airport area barrier
G 20 a . a Columbia Isl nd trails, esp Memori l and Humpback Bridges G 30 National Airport ramp conflicts G 40 Trail connection across Woodrow Wilson Bridge
72 Medium Priority: 0 o Widening Mount Vernon Trail 0 w Gravelly Point conflict zone 0 w Culvert north of Daingerfield Island mfi a 233 0 Crystal City overp ss, Virginia Route 0 wfi Rosslyn Circle 0 wm Crystal City connector tunnel 0 uu Virginia approaches to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge 0 wR Pentagon area trails
a ) . -O e c and a a Low Priority: 0 i B tter urves gr des south Of Alex ndria 0 NN Daingerfield Island loop trail G 23 Dyke Marsh interpretive loop trail G 35 Glen Echo trolley corridor G 36 Palisades trail C 41 On-street alternative to Mount Vernon Trail
National Capital Parks -Central
Top Priority: M 22 Lincoln Memorial Circle ramp crossings
Medium Priority: Independence and Madison Avenues at 1 5th Street Tidal Basin inlet bridge Approaches to 1 4th Street and Theodore Roosevelt Bridges Safer street grates Maine Avenue sidewalk trail from 1 5th Street east Kutz Bridge sidewalk widening Kennedy Center shoreline promenade 15th Street trail across Mall Constitution Avenue from 17th to 14th Streets Capitol Grounds east- west routes
Low Priority 1 1 Curb cuts M 13 Repave Ellipse roadways M 15 Maine Avenue sidewalks 18 Independence Avenue sidewalk near 23rd Street Tunnel under bridges by Watergate steps M 3O Potomac Promenade improvements
Rock Creek Park
Top Priority: W A-e Replacement of low- water bridge near Porter Street s Wmo Completion of northern sec tion of Rock Creek Trail Wuo Alternatives to 2 0 0 tunnel WmN Broad Branch connector into Rock Creek Park
r—t— : W Medium Priority n Klingle Road underpass clearance W —Bridge widening south of ZOO tunnel a- W i t Widen and repave Rock Creek trail north of Zoo W No Side connections into Rock Creek Park W NH Ramp crossings at P Street and Pennsylvania Avenue W B Lovers Lane connection to Massachusetts Avenue
73 W ep a or of i of B rrier, removal tra l Off road shoulder Wnu— o a Klingle Road connector
: k l Low Priority: W h i Repave trail loop near Oregon Avenue I ‘ W aU Future bridge deck w idenings nx ‘ W —O Park Road shoulder widening D WmQ Link between Whitehaven Parkway and Wisconsin Avenue p W ( A Link from Fort Totten to Fort Lincoln
PROJECTS BY COOPERATING AGENCY
of is t The following list projects arranged by cooperating agency, or insti ution, in alphabetical order .
Architect of the Capitol
M 40 Capitol Grounds east-west routes
Arlington County
G 31 Rosslyn Circle G 32 Crystal City connector tunnel G 34 Pentagon area trails G 36 Palisades trail
Commission of Fine Arts
G 33 Virginia approaches to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
Department of Defense
G 34 Pentagon area trails E 41 Southeast Potomac shoreline trail
District of Columbia D Oxon Cove connection north to C . parks and trails Link From Anacostia Park to Fort Dupont Extend River Terrace Trail south and north Oxon Cove posts and barriers Oxon Run trail to Suitland Parkway ’ Anacostia Trail north into Prince George s Coun ty Link from Kenilworth Park to Watts Branch Suitland Parkway trail Trail connections to Frederick Douglass Home Buzzards Point Esplanade Woodrow Wilson Bridge trail connector
74
National Capital Planning Commission
E 39 Buzzards Point Esplanade E 41 Southeast Potomac shoreline trail G 33 Virginia approaches to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
’ Prince George s County and M ary land National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Potoma c Heritage Trail south from Oxon Cove Potomac Heritage Trail at Broad Creek Fort Washington spur trail Oxon Run trail to Suitland Parkway ’ Anacostia Trail north into Prince George s County Suitland Parkway trail Trail connec tion across Woodrow Wilson Bridge WE8:A corridor to Baltimore and Annapolis Connections to Greenbelt Park
Smithsonian Institution (National Zoological Park)
R 30 Alternatives to ZOO tunnel
rm in U S . A y Corps of Eng eers
G 35 Glen Echo trolley corridor
Virginia Department of Transportation
21 n 233 G Crystal City overpass, Virgi ia route G 33 Virginia approaches to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge E/G 40 Trail connection across Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WM ATA)
E 34 Oxon Run trail to Suitland Parkway R 34 Link from Fort Totten to Fort Lincoln
TOP-PRIORITY PROJECTS
The following 1 1 projects are considered higher in priority than the other projects because v n of safety concerns, hea y use problems or they have the potential of bei g a key i i connection in a more complete future trail system . Gross cost estimates ( nclud ng planning and design) are included where construction costs could feasibly be calculated .
76 na and Rossly n
H ump b a c k B rid
ma rina
Tra il u
a I Airp o rt
nta g on a nd south Arling to
S C AL E: RO OS TRA A OUT P P ED I L L Y 8 0 0 4 0 0 9 ” 0 M 0 FOR COLUMBI A I S L AN D m inte rse c tio n
Ne w Parkw a y la ne s
Oblite ra te d la ne
Iite ra te d la ne s
Parkw a y la ne s
Tra il und e rp a ss
unt V e rnon
At- gra de inte rse c tio ns D ETAIL STUD Y O F M E M O RIAL C IR C LE
Mount V e rnon ( shore line ) Trail S ig ns at trail inte rse c tions
Ne w marina a c c e ss road 0
' ' k B rid e ‘ uilt H umpba c g 3 :
A. Mount " ve rno n ( shore line ) fl a il
C OL UMB IA ISLA ND tra il inte rse c tio ns MA RINA
I to Pe ntag o n a nd south Arling to
La oon PENT A G ON g
D ETAIL ST UD Y O F g 1 0 0 0 Feet — " " - f H UM PBACK B RID G E Sfiflfi n m m a and u ck d G 20 Colu bia Island, Me ori l H mpba Bri ges
This project is actually a grouping of several critical projects tied to the upcoming i r ia rehabilitation of the George Washington Memor al Pa kway . The most cruc l problem is the difficul ty pedestrians and cyclists have approaching and leaving the Arlington to Memorial Bridge and crossing several lanes of speeding traffic . Some wish go west to to Arlington Cemetery, some north to Rosslyn, some down the shoreline and Mount l Vernon Trail, some southwest toward the Pentagon . A number of heavi y used commuter bike routes converge here to cross the river .
a I l l At the south end of Columbi s and, the Humpback Bridge, with its narrow sidewa ks
a l . exposed to fast tr ffic, impedes safe passage of the Mount Vernon Trai Several proposals describe a trail route from Columbia Pike and the Pentagon around the south side of h u a c FHWA Columbia Island Marina lagoon . If t is bridge is reb ilt as indic ted in re ent in a a all r a a as plans, such rebuild g should ccommod te trail access from fou qu dr nts, well as wider protected sidewalks for trail use .
Many solutions to these problems have been proposed over the years . The best ones call - i l i for grade separated trail cross ngs at the west end of Memorial Bridge, en arg ng the ac to cc a e a c and e and Humpb k Bridge a ommod t tr il rossings both over und r, completing of r a a coherent set t ails over all of Columbia Isl nd, linking it to the trail routes which a l Of surround it . Where the trails lie adjacent to the ro d (such as across the sidewa ks the u ac at a 1 2 and a H mpb k Bridge), they should be le st feet wide protected from the tr ffic by li appropriate barriers . Night ghting for safety should be considered since this area is one - of the most heavily used by commuters year round .
The most recent recommendation for this complicated area is based on the Bellamo - McGee ’ FH WA s 1987 1986 . Study of Since then, study concludes that the shoreline trail corridor under Memorial Bridge can be widened to 6 feet (narrowing traffic down to two 1 1 -foot ll - a a on l i u . l nes), and that grade trai cross ngs should be perpendic lar to roadways The best - to a long term solution is move the traffic intersections west on Memorial Boulev rd, eliminating many Of the traffic movements into Memorial Circle and under Memorial FH WA 1 987 in Bridge ( , , exhibit This would free up the shorel e for safe and scenic access for trail use .
The Humpback Bridge over Boundary Channel at the south end of Columbia Island is to e il r a l di 12- be r bu t for th ee p rkway anes in either rection, plus foot protected sidewalks - in n above on either side and room for a two way access road below, connect g northbou d fi l parkway traf c to the Co umbia Island Marina . Such an underpass should accommodate on of c c n trails both sides Boundary Channel, making onne tions north to the mari a and west to the Pentagon and south to Arlington .
Schematic ideas for Memorial Circle and the Humpback Bridge in particular are shown on the next page . Both projects should be considered integral parts of the pending Federal ’ l Highway Administration s rehabilitation of this central segment of the Parkway . Unti a fi fi . l speci c design is established, cost gures cannot be determined See Trai Layout Proposed sl 77 i 78 . for Columbia I and, page and Deta l Study of Memorial Circle, page
R 30 Alternatives to ZOO Tunnel
c of c the a a i one Along the Ro k Creek Trail, from the mouth Ro k Creek to M ryl nd l ne, only segment lies outside the control of the National Park Service the paved trail which
79 f a i 2 0 follows a horseshoe bend o Rock Creek into N t onal 0 property. Normally this c ZOO i a a segment is Open . But when it is losed by Off ci ls (usually at night in w rm months - l n and mid afternoon in the winter), the on y alter ative is to pass through the narrow Beach f Z i i - a o a a oo a e a c . arr Drive tunnel under p rt the N tion l , longs de h gh sp ed tr ffi The n ow sidewalks are three feet wide and have no protection from adjoining traffic and using them is a treacherous experience . Although no accidents have been documented there so
far a a all ur i ui on l . , the h z rd deters but the most advent ous from cont n ng the trai
Alternatives to the tunnel are not easy to discern . One option is for the National Park Service to work Cooperatively with the National ZOO to install security gates where the Zoo 24- i trail crosses the access road, permitting hour trail use w thout compromising the ul need for full security in and around the Zoo . Perhaps this co d include automatic gates
a ac . or an overpass . Either is prefer ble to future cidents in the tunnel Without such a safe
l m . and certain connection, the continuity of the Rock Creek Trai is compro ised Rough ul d ul e— - calc ations in icate that gross wo d provide a doubl fenced, automatic gated l u u a . system; gross wo d f nd an adequate overpass , fencing, and landsc ping
Widening the tunnel itself is considered prohibitively expensive .
h ZOO . a T is issue should be addressed by the in its next master plan In the me ntime, an analysis of trail use and demand when the gates are closed should be made to justify any ZOO l future solution . An alternative might be widening the tunnel to insta l a trail corridor - at least eight feet wide next to the roadway, separated from it by a crash resistant barrier. This arrangement would be much more expensive than either the fenced security system 2 n ma 0 0 a 81 . or the overpass . See p, Tu nel, p ge
G 30 National Airport Ramp Conflicts
T are th w o adjoining projects are included in this description . They best described from e WABA report:
a a l a a a and x At N tion l Airport, the trai crosses sever l busy irport entr nce e it
r . ramps . These crossings are cu rently very dangerous On summer weekends, trail traffic is so significant that the Airport Authority assigns a traffic
policeman to control flow (cars back all the w ay up to the METRO station) . The traffic flow into and ou t Of the airport will soonbe changed as part of ’ l r i Nationa Ai port s renovation, provid ng an Opportunity to make the Mount i Vernon Trail safer. Pedestr an/bicycle bridges for the trail over the new
airport entrance and exit roads are recommended .
The Route 233 bridge over the George Washington Memorial Parkway is poorly designed for pedestrian and bicycle access (sidewalks are narrow and n u protected) despite recent renovation by Virginia DOT. There is no connection from the airport terminus of the bridge (east end) to the Mount a m ' Vernon Tr il i mediately below except via steep dirt paths . Construction f O the connection is recommended when the airport is renovated . The Park Service should strongly encourage Virginia DOT to reconstruct the bridge
with adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities (WABA pp .
One solution to these problems would be to move the entire trail from Gravelly Point to
233 to of the fl t a . t Route the west side Parkway, avoiding ramp con ic are s This alterna ive has been considered and rejected, since new overhead trail bridges across the Parkway
80 8 0 0 Fe e t T UN N E L and extensive boardwalks along the edge of the Roaches Run lagoon would be needed ’ ma rring the parkway s scenic character .
T a - herefore, the most work ble long term solutions at both crossings include routing the trails so that grade- separated crossings at the ramps can be installed as part of the i i r f h l a of a a . i e is un o t e a rehabi it tion N t on l A rpo t At th s tim , it the derstanding N tional Park Service that all design and construction costs for this project will be assumed by the Airport Authority as part of the renovation of National Airport over the next three to five
ar . r a a ca s e i atu to c ou t ye s Until detailed o dw y lo tion are d term ned , it is prem re sket h
n are a a c . where such crossi gs best loc ted and what their associ ted osts might be See map, f o c a a 83 . Northern Section Ro k Creek P rk, p ge
23 m i n of h ct c r a R Co plet o Nort ern Se ion, Ro k C eek Tr il
The paved Off- road trails in Rock Creek Park follow continuously from the southern end of the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway north to Broad Branch Road . From there north to the Maryland Line cyclists are forced to share Beach Drive with motorists (hikers and
a can ea a . e a e are i di c and w lkers use n rby foot p ths) Alt rn tive rout s h lly, narrow, and in re t i also Often involve shar ng the roadway with cars .
i O u a can a on the n . is n weekdays the s t tion be d ngerous narrow, curvi g road Motor ts a i to a c i resent h v ng share the ro d with slower cyclists, while the cy lists often avo d the i s . t route altogether s nce it is con idered so unsafe On weekends, the northern sec ion of a to a for of Be ch Drive is closed c rs the safe and exclusive use cyclists, joggers, runners, and walkers .
1 979 an to In , NPS study presented nine ways connect the existing trail to the northern boundary of the park, but none of the recommendations was implemented (NPS, a Today, the park staff recommends that no new paved surfaces be installed in wh t is by law a natural area .
WABA suggested several ways to accormnodate both cyclists and motorists safely:
ac to ca on as as a a a Close Be h Drive rs weekdays well weekends, providing p r llel
automobile route along Ross Drive .
one of a to acc tw o-w a in Close lane Beach Drive to c rs ommodate y trail use, provid g n n a alternate auto route o Ross and Glover Drives .
i Route cycl sts uphill on Glover and Ross Drives as an alternate to Beach Drive. strenous l (The long, steep grades on this route are and suited only for the wel
conditioned cyclist . )
None of these would be easy to implement because of the adverse effect on automobile
fi . r a . traf c Reversed traffic necessitates ext a signs, gates, and potenti l safety problems l as at However, as ong the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway lanes are switched rush
- a imi a u . 4 l hour, s l r system could be instit ted along Beach Drive If foot bicycle trail anes are on i a 1 0- - a in striped either s de Of the roadway, leaving foot one way l ne the middle, automobile traffic could reverse at midnight and noon (low-volume times) and trail users h could use the edges of the pavement in both directions at all times . T e installation cost a i at for such system has been est mated between and for lane striping, ’ i r l i . FH WA s 1 988 t a s gns, barrie s, and pub ic not ces s udy of the Rock Creek Park ro d
82 system recommends both abolishing the reversed rush hour lanes on the Parkway and i F eac HWA 1988 . . closing B h Drive to motorized veh cles ( , , pp i,ii) If and when the reversed flow c and a a l traffic along the Ro k Creek Potom c P rkway is abo ished, the consequences i f i for cyclists and pedestrians in the northern sect on o the Park must be cons dered . In the a im a ul to a c i me nt e, explor tions sho d continue determine both s en c, comfortable trail route from Wise Road north and west into the Montgomery County portion of Rock Creek Park r and a vall ey floor route from B oad Branch north to Wise Road .
R 1 0 Replacement of Low -Water Bridge near Porter Street
The creek crossing near the Porter Street and Klingle Road bridges has been a chronic r problem and is a common site Of accidents . The approaches a e narrow and have difficult - grades or inadequate curvature . The low water bridge was an attempt to accommodate f a flood waters without damaging an expensive structure . Un ortun tely it acts like a small - dam in floods and causes a build up of debris . Often the concrete deck panels are carried i in a l a a . away, render g the bridge useless to tr l users unti the p nel is repl ced
r Design and funding fo a replacement bridge are well under w ay . The bridge will be a — - n r 100 ac . tu pre engi ee ed foot wood span, with gentle, landscaped appro hes The concep al design has been approved by the Fine Arts Commission and the Nationa l Capital Planning
ill . Commission . Funding w be shared with the U S Forest Service under a special Cooperative program at about
R 32 Broad Branch Connector into Rock Creek Park
l s fla and A ong the southwe t nk of Rock Creek Park, Broad Branch Road twists turns i a l n ac alongs de a sm l stream, joi ing Be h Drive to the road network of northwest
. a Washington and Chevy Chase Rough pavement, narrow l nes, poor sight distances, fast a c all c to c n tr ffic, and blind interse tions ontribute a hazardous cy li g experience, yet this is one of the most gently graded access routes into the Rock Creek valley .
hi fi l Despite the problems along t s route, a signi cant number of cyc ists use it to approach - - i . l . the park Currently, the Maine to Virgin a regiona bicycle trail is mapped along this road r i The Broad Branch Road cor idor should be carefully examined by both DC . and NPS tra l specialists and a joint projec t initiated to provide a safe and scenic trail experience along this tributary valley .
An initial survey indicates that a combination of linear feet of 8-foot-wide Off-road t n of 8- - on rail, li ear feet foot wide paved trail cantilevered top of a stream bank n a 10- - retaini g w ll, and seven foot wide stream bridge crossings square feet) would
- a . n D cost bout million gross This cost could be split 50% 50% between NPS a d C . i - - since the tra l would straddle the property line Of the park along the road right oi way .
a 86 . See map , Broad Branch Ro d Corridor, page
G 1 4 Barrier in Airport Area
Al n l Of r l ong the Mou t Vernon Trai , just north the National Ai port, the trai is wedged ’ A m . t between the shoulder of the Parkway and the airport s peri eter fence this point, the " i l l h t la cl fence is a sol d wal ( b ast Especially at night, t is si uation p ces cy ists in
84 - A low water bridge near Porter Street on the Rock Creek Trail acts as a dam in floods and causes debris to b uild up. A n rid i r ew b ge s cu rently being designed.
85 + “ ‘ Q o r t 4 X W Ide J o w -fl-vo lume C i ‘ ty
B lind c urv
Da ng e ro us
B lind c urv e s/Ite rn e ro ute Da ng e ro us inte
Da ng e ro us inte rse c t
S t e e p e mb a nkme nt a i sid e ro a d
‘ C re e k a nd p a rk b o und a ry next to ro a d
C omp lic a te d inte rse c t io n
S C L E: B R OA D B R A N C H R O A D /A W W"3 8 0 0 4 0 0 9 4 C O R R ID OR m
i of a car a and ar of a a a a an and prox mity f st tr ffic the gl e he dlights, m king it very unple s t potentially hazardous experience .
e i i of a a a l i e During the r bu ld ng the irport, the Nation l P rk Service shou d negot at with the n r Airport Authority to create a comfortable a d safe t ail corridor in this area . This could l a - n be achieved through p antings and crash resistant barrier, as long as the fi al effect is di low e- e n a not one of isola tion and danger. Exten ng the ston fac d wall a d ugmenting the narrow bands of shrubs with more plantings and a crash-tested barrier between the trail
o . i for and the Parkway would g far in solving this problem W th lights, total cost such a l project would b e abou t gross . This cou d b e negotiated as part Of the upgrading
Of the National Airport .
" " 2 c in C 0 Georgetown Bran h Rail Trail D C.
1904 ail a u to In a r ro d sp r was built from Silver Spring, Maryland, the Georgetown i of u Waterfront, circl ng around the northwest side the District of Col mbia, and entering X Georgetown alongside the C 8: O Canal . Recently it was abandoned by the CS Corporation and is being considered for a transit and trail corridor connecting various r i suburbs . A current trail cor idor project that encompasses th s space refers to it as the i Capital Crescent Tra l .
i Of l a a a m a ia and With n the District Co umbi , the r ilro d is inti ately ssoc ted with the Canal ’ should not be used for pu rposes harmful to the Cana l s scenic and historic purposes . It is recommended that the government acquire this corridor and pave as an all- purpose trail f r those portions appropriate o trail development .
i At the west end, tra l connections across Canal Road and north into Montgomery County should be made for both increased community access and the opportunity for another regional loop trail (see projects C 22 and C With the cooperation of Montgomery h U S . ul County and the Corps of Engineers, the trail sho d be threaded t rough the edges of the Dalecarlia Reservoir property to connect with the Capital Crescent Trail. Rough l i l construction estimates for this work come to about mi l on, a ittle more than twice the sum estimated by the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail but a small fraction of the land purchase cost .
lr l At the south end, as the rai oad grade drops from the Canal down to the leve of K a i l c a to Street, a p ved tra l is recommended, and cyc ists should be en our ged leave the towpath and approach the future esplanade along the Georgetown waterfront (see project a C This would leave the towpath for pedestri n use only, since it is both narrowest and most heavily used through Georgetown . The new trail below the Canal would also
Open up access to the shoreline of the Potomac River . Careful consideration should be given to the connection to Key Bridge (see project C See Georgetown Branch Trail
89 . Corridor, page
E 1 0 Fort Circle Hiker-B iker Trail Improv ements
a r This mile gravel trail joins Forts M han and Stanton th ough Fort Dupont, just east of Anacostia . The steep topography and soft surface mean erosion is a constant problem . in 1 987 a i About 80 percent of the trail is satisfactory . Park staff developed deta led m i i provement plan, including erosion control and prevention, cons stent motorbike In c n a . prohibition signs , urb cuts, trail directio al signs, and minor tr il relocation addition,
88 ’ ‘ fi btfa nc e into G e o rg e tOw n
S AL E : TH E G E O R G E T O WN B RANC H SOOO 4 0 0 0 Fe e t T R A I L C O R R ID O R ’ the trail s southern end should be extended both west toward W Street at the Frederick Douglass Home (as part of the Black Heritage Trail) and east to Alabama Avenue to allow ’ - a c f a on c of a a a . of a om ort ble, street rossing the Suitl nd P rkw y Currently, some this tr il s connections at the south end are unresolved and lead nowhere .
’ n n The park s 1987 proposal totalled a estimated gross) . The pri cipal parts of the proposal included
n c - c and ai c a 500 signi g, urb uts, tr l relo ation ne r Reservation ;
750- a a foot tr il connection joining Kenilworth Park, Watts Branch, and Fort Mahan;
a - foot trail connection from Fort Stanton to Suitland Parkway;
repair of severely eroded culverts at Pennsylvania Avenue;
r 28th curb cuts, removable barriers, and erosion repai at Street;
connecting trails to Stoddert Recreation Center and Fort Chaplin;
w aterb ars and check dams to halt erosion north of 27ih Street and Texas Avenue;
s r a a a sign , cu b cuts, b rriers, and erosion rep ir ne r Fort Chaplin;
landscape screening alongside Fort Davis;
r bridge repai at Good Hope Road .
The WABA study noted that this gravel trail is unique in the Washington area since it ’ - r l is midway between a paved all users trail and an earthen walking trail . It is dea for " " - k ll r - 1 - all terrain mountain bi es but not at a suitable fo thin tired 0 speed bicycles . ’ Rehabilitation is recommended to augment the trail s value for mountain bike riding . Consultation with the local Urban Nomads All-Terrain Bicycle Association can identify i c ways to improve this trail based on mountain b ke projects across the country . On e ’ ’ l r - improved, it cou d be publicized as Washington s (and the nation s) fi st urban all terrain i i bike trail . Such publicity could be in the form of a brochure explain ng the mean ng of ’ many of the route s historic sites and indicating connections to adjoining trails . Parking l areas for bikers cou d be designated at the Anacostia Museum in Fort Stanton, at Fort
Dupont, and in Kenilworth Park .
In i a of 27-m the long term, invest g tion other portions of the ile Fort Circle System for - a and a lr multi purpose trail use is recommended . The current problems t river r i oad - m all crossings, high volu e city streets, and rough topography stand in the way of an easy ’ " " l l n l F i - so ution to deve opi g Washington s emerald neck ace . See The ort C rcle Hiker Biker
i 91 . Tra l, page
M 22 Lin coln Memorial Circle Ramp Crossings
Arl l At the east end of ington Memorial Bridge, the sidewa ks cross entrance and exit ramps connecting to the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway . Traffic moves onto these at
fic r li . high speed, and sometimes it is dif ult for pedest ians and cyc sts to get safely across
90
- fl f t re ow o ri . A traffic s udy is recommended to evaluate the cars, cyclists, and pedest ans u Poor sight lines and irreg lar crossings should be specially noted . The recommendations of such a study need to address warning ped estrians about bicycle traffic around the i Lincoln Memorial . This might be done w th signs or a delineated route . Such a study is estimated to cost about
Some possible solutions to the situation may include installing discrete warning signs to s i encourage motorists to watch for pede trians and bicycles cross ng, widening curb cuts d a m a an e a . ri for easy m neuvering, cl rly striping the p vement Ru ble st ps Of cobblestone k framing the crosswal s would further encourage automobiles to slow down, without i creating unsightly warn ng devices in this scenically sensitive monument area . The cost for a to a c ru t ul a such work is low, comp red he vy onst c ion, and wo d probably total less th n
l 93. See Linco n Circle Trail Connection, page
E/G 40 Trail Connection Across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Including a trail crossing at the Wilson Bridge would provide a critical link in the area ’ s ’ c n c a a a l trail network . The rossi g would conne t the Potom c Herit ge Tr i in Prince George s County to the Mount Vernon Trail and also be the southern end of a loop trail following l both sides of the Potomac River south from Key Bridge . It would also a low an alternative to motor access between the proposed Port America development and Alexandria .
l A though the National Park Service has long proposed and advocated this connection, the responsible highway agencies have insisted that the expense mill ion by one estimate) was not justified until the trails on the east side were built . Currently the agencies involved are searching for ways to enhance the motor vehicle capacity of Wilson f . u r c s o Bridge Although this project lies outside NPS j isdi tion, both end the bridge cross shoreline park lands (Oxon Cove and Jones Point) . Therefore the National Park Service n or of should monitor planning for the rehabilitation, e largement, replacement the Wilson Bridge and insist that new work enable non- motorized vehicles and pedestrians to cross la has l the river . Such vigi nce already resulted in the requirement that a trai deck be a design element for the current engineering competition . Until the designs are chosen, determining costs is impossible although the cost of a deck that is part of a new bridge is much lower than the cost of adding a deck to the existing bridge .
i - Once Port America is built, a sign ficant demand by commuters for non automobile ’ alternative routes between Alexandria and Prince George s County is likely . In such an
U S . a ai event, Department of Transportation funds might be m de available for this tr l link
a . W W ls a 95 . across the Potom c River See oodrow i on Bridge, p ge
c for a l a n In summary, those projects that are sele ted implement tion shou d be nnou ced in i ia l the Federal Reg ster. Appropr te pub ic involvement and compliance with applicable laws and regulations would accompany the planning and design of these projects . The larger projects would be accomplished through the appropriate Park Service design and
l c is n . construction process, while the smal er ones could be a compl hed by the i dividual park
92 2 3 rd S tre e t 0 C o ns tit utio n A ve nue a nd The Ma ll
To Ro c k C re e k Pa rk Tra il
t ra ffic c ro ssing s
c urve s Missing d ire c tio na l sig ns to se nd p e o p le a ro und lo o p s to c o nne c ting tra ils a nd b ridg e s
0 W a shing to n Mo nume nt sid e w a lk s p e d e stria n use a re a
P o to ma c P a rk S ho re line P ro me na de
S C AL E: 5 0 0 Fe e t L IN C OL N C I R C L E
O O VII . C NCLUSI N
Carrying ou t the rec ommendations made in this report will require much effort and many
a a a a . c are SO years . Cle rly, there is a gre t deal Of work he d And the osts sizable but are
are a for of a . the benefits . The signs encour ging some the work has alre dy begun
WORK UNDER WAY
Individual parks have already begun to work on some of the projects listed in the
l l t l . previous chapter, en arging curb cuts, rep acing grates, con rol ing erosion, and repaving a - a for to l c National Capital P rks Centr l, example, has begun rep a e the unsafe drainage l grates in East Potomac Park as funds allow (project M1 6) . Critica bridge and erosion - a control projects are under way along the Fort Circle Hiker Biker Trail (E1 0) . Sever l of the worst curves and grades on the Mount Vernon Trail are being improved as part of the
Parkway reconstruction (G 13) .
Other projects are being undertaken in connection with long-term road repair and f l a . a o rehabi it tion For ex mple, an engineering survey Rock Creek Park, conducted for the i 1 988 i s m Federal H ghway Administration in , l st these four i provements that affect paved trails as part of a $12 million package: a grade-separated intersection at Shoreham Hill R20 FHWA and m to R2 1 ( , priority signs other trail i provements L Street P Street ( , H A r RI3 FH WA F W priority bridge and trail repai s near Tilden Street ( , priority and n r RIZ FH WA widening the Zoo tu nel b idge ( , priority Work on these projects is
- schedul ed for 1995 97.
i has . Cooperat on in some cases already begun For example, negotiations have been to r n G32 i n completed open up the C ystal City Connector tu nel ( ), w th work bei g shared l i l by the George Washington Memoria Parkway staff, the Wash ngton Metropo itan Airport
Authority, and the Federal Highway Administration .
fl One example of progress by outside agencies, described brie y in the preceding chapter, is the fact that the interstate commission responsible for enlarging or replacing th e Woodrow Wilson Bridge has made incorporating a pedestri an/bicycle deck a requirement of its engineering design competition .
A for fir t nother sign of progress is the integration, the st ime in the history of the li e l n l metropo tan area, of a compr hensive bicycle trai plan i to regiona transportation planning . This work is being carried ou t by the COG Bicycle Technical Advisory
m t . mi a l Subco mit ee The plan recognizes the dozens of les of tr il a ready in existence, incorporates policies that recognize the value of bicycling and other non-motorized means i of transportation, and lists projects that overlap, in part, with those l sted here .
OPPORTUNITIES
The total cost to the National Park Service for the 1 1 priority projects is roughly estimated at lli of X between and mi on, excluding the cost purchasing the CS corridor in the FH WA l I District of Columbia , work on Co umbia sland, and improvements to the
Woodrow Wilson Bridge . Complementary information programs and trail widening and striping adds an additional million . This sounds like a lot Of money until the fi i mil mi l illi gures are compared to the cost of build ng one e of highway l ion m on),
97 ’ a i c i l i or one t to new v sitors enter mill on mi l on), even comfort sta ion
m is one to i a . The invest ent, though sizable, that stands benefit the ent re metropolitan are t for a r Now is a ime of great Opportunity, National P rk Service trails could fo m the of six i ct ai a a a backbone scen c, interjurisdi ional tr l loops that could bring recre tion l tr ils ’ within reach of most of the area s popul ation .
in l . Even as this report was being written, terest in paved trai s has continued to grow New fi as CSX lr corridors are being identi ed, such the Metropolitan Branch trail along the rai oad in connecting Silver Spr g to downtown Washington . The successful acquisition of the abandoned CSX Georgetown Branch in Montgomery Coun ty and the District of Columbia f is an encouraging indication o public support and increasing Congressional interest .
All indications point to a bright future for paved trails . Now is the time to ’ trails in and around the capital into the nation s finest urban network .
98
’ APPENDIX B : A B RIEF HISTORY OF WASHINGTON S TRIALS
The District of Columbia was established in 1 790 along the scenic banks of the Potomac a low s River . Today the he rt of the city lies at elevation near rivers, while the outlying
“ parts Of the city and its suburbs are nestled in the surrounding hills and stream valleys . Federal park land in metropolitan Washington was first set aside when the city was Of on founded . Since then, thousands acres have been reserved for parks, much of it
i or l un i a for c . a il stream valley, river shorel ne, sloping and su t ble constru tion Tr ils bu t on s a na these lands are Often troubled by problem of steep topography, poor dr i ge, erosion, l r a l and instabi ity. Such factors const ain the level and types of use, yet the dem nd for trai s continues to steadily increase .
Paved off-road trails originated in Europe in the 19305 and became popular in this country - d c s a a only in certain recreation minde ommunities, uch as Cor l G bles and Palm Beach, la Florida; Dayton, Ohio; Waukesha and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Cleve nd, and
New York City (Cook,
In the National Capital Region of the National Park Service the first multi- use paved trails were bu ilt in Rock Creek Park in response to citizen requests for such trails in 1 969 . These consisted of a loop system in the northern part of the park near Bingham Drive and 1 71 Of l Oregon Avenue . In 9 a scheme was approved in which one the anes along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway w as to be closed to cars to accommodate cyclists of a a - coming downtown . The Opening this arr ngement coincided with tr ffic back ups l caused by a broken water main . The ensuing public pressure to get bicycles entire y off of un the road released some emergency f ds, and a paved trail was quickly installed over an existing bridl e trail between Thompson’ s Boathouse on the Potomac River and Cathedral Avenue.
In 1972 civic groups around Mount Vernon petitioned that a recreational trail be installed along the Potomac shoreline parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and south of the paved shoreline walkway that already existed between the Arlin gton 1 7 14th . 9 0 s Memorial and Street bridges Until , cycli ts travelled on the Parkway itself; on h ir i Sundays t e northbound lanes were closed for use as a recreational route . The f st sect on of a to out 1 4th to new tr il be laid continued south from the Street bridges Alexandria, Ai weaving alongside National rport .
L 1972 l ater in , with strong po itical support, the rest of the trail to Mount Vernon was l ll . s 1975 f instal ed by park crews Initia y gravel, both section were paved by , O ten without i a n T a a d . O des r ble improvements in gr ding alignment prevent erosion, the steepest slopes
r a . of a were the fi st areas p ved The bridges were made locust posts, inspired by loc l wharf
c . l la t constru tion Most Of the trai , id out before national bicycle rail standards were a to i i f of . na c o av ilable, was designed m n mize the removal trees The fi l se tion the Mount Vernon Trail near Alexandria was built in the late 1 9705 to minimiz e bicycle-motorist fli con cts along West Drive . This followed a study and recommendations by - h i Barton Asc man Assoc ates in 1977 . In 1988 the final northern extension of the Mount
Vernon Trail was completed from Memorial Bridge to Roosevelt Island . Today the trail has " fl of a r n become the agship recre tional trails th oughout the cou try, used to develop new l trai s standards and as a place to test materials .
101 C clin on th 0 anal has n ular r r a N th i r y g e C 8 C bee pop fo ove hundred years. ote e cycl sts at the G eat Falls T rn in ave this 1890 photo.
102 extension Of the Mount Vernon Trail connecting Arlington Memorial Bridge north to the
a i . s p rking lot at Theodore Roosevelt Island, was accomplished through other fund ng Thi segment completes a 1 7- mile Ioop in Arlington County joining the Washington 8: Old I- Dominion (W 8: OD) system and the Custis Trail along 66 with the Potomac shoreline.
In 1984 a e ic w as i c n a to , ped strian/b ycle underpass bu lt onnecti g Cryst l City the George
Washington Memorial Parkway as part Of an Arlington County site plan approval . It is not yet open, since the connections at either end have not been built, but Offers a promising link between the high- density residential and Office development Of Crystal City ir and the Mount Vernon and National A port .
104 APPENDIX C: TRAIL SYSTEMS IN OTHER CITIES A SAM PLING
The following cities were surveyed about their trail systems to ascertain the types of l problems and solutions they have encountered . The survey he ped to provide a broader - i perspective of the level of use and interest there is in multi use trails nat onwide .
B o to c s n, Massa husetts
The metropolitan Boston area has about 32 miles of multi-use trails and another 1 1 mil es 1 7 a idl i in in 1 . u 9 05 planned for construction 989 D ring the trail use r p y ncreased, but the he use 19805 use has grown more slowly . User surveys show that t percentage of by m fl commuters has increased substantially in recent years . The most com on user con icts are lim those between cyclists and dogs and between cyclists and pedestrians . Speed its of 5 miles per hour are posted in some areas, but they are not enforced . Certain areas have parallel paths with signs requesting cyclists to use one and pedestri ans the other this a ca i a is not enforced either . The Boston police now patrol the tr ils in rs, but park pol ce pl n to begin patrolling them by bicycle .
o olo o B ulder, C rad
- l n Boulder has 10 miles of mul ti use trails. Five mi es comprise a conti uous linear park li t along Boulder Creek. The rest of the system is mostly made up of trail nks be ween - Th a to i 40 of t . ou road routes . e city is pl nning bu ld another miles trail in the near fu ure is - l The objective in Boulder to provide a pleasant, hassle free system of trai s for both
li . recreationists and commuters, e minating as much interaction with cars as possible AASH TO n i guidelines are used where feasible, but existi g infrastructure l mitations prevent i full compliance . Conflicts between cycl sts and pedestrians are common . Approximately all ri half of users are pedest ans an increasing number of them on skateboards, roller
l . blades, and rol er skates
l il and For the past two summers, Bou der police on mountain bikes have patrolled the tra s s a for not i sued tickets to pedestri ns staying to the right, and to cyclists for not giving n n audible warning when passi g and not usi g lights at night . The city would like to have ri l nf a a far f end y e orcement p trols m de up of volunteers, but their volunteer pool so has not been large enough . Volunteers collect data and educate automobile drivers about
. to ls c i bicycles and pedestrians These volunteers go schoo , businesses, and tru k ng, cab, and - bus companies . They also teach clinics on how to prepare for year round bicycle commuting .
e M etro arks O o Cl veland p , hi
The Cleveland Metroparks operate 60 miles of trails that form an emerald necklace l l 12 greenway park system around C eve and, connecting major park reservations .
Completion Of another nine miles is anticipated in 1 989 . The first five miles were built in 1973 in response to the growing number of cyclists who were then using park roads . The decision was made to separate hikers and bikers from cars to provide for greater
a . a l l enjoyment and s fety Currently, most users must drive into the v l eys where the trai s are located . Cleveland Metroparks hopes to construct connecting trails up the valley walls i to enable surround ng residents to cycle directly from their communities .
105 a t s one a r a Pedestri ns ou number cycli ts about three to , and all us ge appears to be inc e sing
especia lly the number of adults who are walking for fitness . Congestion in some areas
so . t n is high that cyclists are shifting back to the road system In problem areas, rail sig s n h r r ask that pets b e leashed a d kept Off t e trail surface . Met opa ks is planning to " " i i D r n a l a . eventua ly inst ll trailhead et quette s gns u i g the peak se son, ten seasonal rangers - f r r 60 l . To al o a o i Metro arks i a patrol the mi e system qu ify st te federal fund ng, p is ncre sing 1 the standard trail width to 0 feet .
O n Eugene, rego
The Eugene multi—use trail system began in 1 971 when city residents expressed a need for ’
a to s. Now are 21 of i more convenient and s fer access the city s park there miles tra ls, with — fu another 10 15 miles planned for the near ture . Although most of the trails were l l l n original y bui t as linear recreational routes along rivers, they have a so become importa t No i n - f commuting corridors . w the c ty is working o providing a well integrated system o on-road bike routes and off- road trails that give the community good bicycling access to
. AASH TO lin are d both employment and recreation In general the design guide es use , - although the city has adopted a 12 foot width for all paved trails . Trail width began at 8 19705 1 0 19705 12 feet in the early , progressed to feet in the late , and is now feet due i to the high levels Of use and user conflict . The city has installed permanent b ke counters
l h . that show a steady increase in use . An increase in wa king clubs as also been observed The greatest user conflicts occur on the Oldest riverfront trail which is still 8 feet wide and e l a c a . r t curvy Many cyclists exercise the , travel ing high speeds and ausing ccidents with i n l n l t . pedestrians . The c ty has installed caution and warni g signs a ong wi ding trai sec ions " " " l n : f It is also instal ing signs with the followi g messages Ride right pass le t, Give " "
a a n and on . w rning when p ssi g, Keep dogs leash
ad W c M ison, is onsin
The trails in Madison were started in response to the explosion of bicycle use following i the 1 973 oil cri sis . Th e c ty now has 20 mil es of trails and hopes to construct another 10 miles in the next ten years . The trail system is designed to function primarily as a ’ transportation system. Madison s Objective is to make the entire city accessible by n i Of i l on- i providi g an ntegrated system b ke trai s , striped road b ke lanes, and signed - - H T i l on on l . AAS O u road and sidewa k routes The city adheres to the b keway g ide ines, with most trails at least 8 feet wide . In heavily used areas the trails are being widened 1 to 0 feet .
of l li c of l Although most the system is used primari y by bicyc sts, the stret hes scenic trai a a in the parks receive the most pedestrian use . It is in these loc tions th t the most conflicts F r has had u c . o occ r, although there are few reported a cidents the past ten years the city six to eight civilian bicycle monitors patrolling roads and trails on bicycles and issuing
a c i a c i . i w ho c c tr ffi c t tions to bi ycl sts These mon tors, are employed by the ity poli e
il . un department, patrol from Apr to September The city uses comm ity volunteers to participate in bicycle education programs . There are also a volunteer pedestrian/bicycle l committee and bicycle c ub advocacy committee .
106
TAPPEBHDEK ID
POTOMAC PEDA ERS T URIN L O G CLUB , INC.
Re so l u t i on b y Po t oma c Pe d a l e r s Tou r i ng C l ub i n supp o r t o f I mp r ov e me nt s i n t he Hi k i ng a nd Bi c y c l i ng Tr a i l S y st e m Ma na g e d b y t h e Na t i ona l Pa r k S e r v i c e i n t h e Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l A r e a
Wh e r e a s t h e Na t i o na l Pa r k S e r v i c e ma na g e s se v e r a l o f t h e mo st i mp o r t a nt h i k i ng a nd b i c y c l e t r a i l s i n t h e Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l V e e A r e a , i nc l ud i ng t h e Mt . e r no n Tr a i l , t h e Ro c k C r k B i k e P a t h , a nd t h e C 0 Ca na l t owp a t h i n t h e C 0 Ca na l Na t i o na l H i st o r i c Pa r k
Wh e r e a s t h e se Na t i o na l Pa r k S e rv i c e f a c i l i t i e s no t o nl y a r e k e y c omp o ne nt s o f t h e r e g i o na l sy st e m o f h i k i ng a nd b i c y c l i ng t r a i l s b ut a l so a r e a mo ng t h e mo st p op u l a r l o c a l f a c i l i t i e s f o r b o t h b i c y c l e c ommu t i ng a nd f o r r e c r e a t i o na l u se b y a r e a r e s i d e nt s a s we l l a s t h e a pp r o x i ma t e l y 2 0 mi l l i o n v i s i t o r s a nd t o u r i st s t o t h e Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l Ar e a e a c h y e a r :
Wh e r e a s h i k i ng a nd b i c y c l i ng a r e a mo ng t h e mo st p o p u l a r o f r e c r e a t i o na l a c t i v i t i e s na t i o n- wi d e a nd i n t h e Na t i ona l Ca p i t a l Ar e a
Wh e r e a s e nh a nc i ng t h e sy st e m o f h i k i ng a nd b i c y c l e t r a i l s wou l d a l so p r ov i d e a n a l t e r na t i v e f o r m o f t r a nsp o r t a t i o n a nd a s s i st i n e a s i ng h i ghwa y c o ng e st i o n a t mi ni ma l c o st
Wh e r e a s t h r e e b a s i c p r ob l e ms a r e p r e se nt e d b y t h e e x i st i ng Na t i o na l Pa r k S e rv i c e sy st e m o f h i k i ng a nd b i c y c l e t r a i l s wi t h i n t h e Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l Ar e a : ( 1 ) Th e e x i st i ng f a c i l i t i e s a r e o nl y a f ound a t i o f o r a e nu i e wo A numb e r o f e t e ns i o ns a nd n g n ne t r k . x a dd i t i ons a r e v i t a l t o p r ov i d e b a s i c a nd sa f e p e d e st r i a n a nd b i c c l e a c c e ss t o mo s o un e s a d l a c e s o f y t ne i g hb o r h o od s , c mm i t i , n p w s a r e o r k i n t h e Ar e a . ( 2 ) Ma ny o f t h e e x i st i ng f a c i l i t i e v e w me e t o r c r o d e d , a nd ne e d r e c o nst r u c t i o n a nd r e h a b i l i t a t i o n t o d e ma nd sa f e l y a nd t o c omp l y wi t h a pp l i c a b l e st a nd a r d s p ub l i sh e d b y AAS HTO a nd sa nc t i o ne d b y t h e F e d e r a l H i g hwa y Ad mi ni st r a t i o n . 3 e o nne c t o r s ( ) Al l t h f a c i l i t i e s h a v e mi ss i ng l i nk s , mi s s i ng c , unsa f e i t e r se c t i o ns uns a t i s f a c t o r o r n uss i n r i d e s a nd so n , y g b g , se f o r t h . A r e p o r t d e sc r i b i ng i nd i v i d u a l i nst a nc e s o f t h e
- PO . BOX 2360 1 W S HINGTON 20026 8687 A ,
109 p r o b l e ms wa s i ssu e d i n 1 9 8 8 b y t h e Wa sh i ng t o n A r e a B i c y c l i st A sso c i a t i o n : a nd
Wh e r e a s Po t oma c Pe d a l e r s To u r i ng C l ub ( PPTC ) i s t h e l a r g e st o c a l r e c r e a t i o n c c l e t o u r i n c l u i t e Uni t e S l a l b i y g b n h d t a t e s , wi t h me mb e r s i n Ma r l a nd V i r i ni a a nd t h e Di st r i c t o f Co umb y , g l i a , a nd wi t h i mp o r t a nt i nt e r e st s i n ma i nt a i n i ng a nd i mp r o v i ng c t e s e s a n v d e x i st i ng b i y c l e r a i l r o u r c , d i n p r o i i ng a d d i t i o na l a l r e sou r c e s t o me e t e a nd i n ne e d s r e c r e a t i o n xp g ,
e t e e so v e b t h e u t v e o B i t h r e f o r r l d , y Ex e c i C mmi t t e e o f PTC a s ov e o d o f PP C a nd o n e a o t e P , g r ni ng b y T b h l f f h me mb e r s o f
PPTC , t h a t :
1 . PPTC e nc our a g e s t h e Na t i o na l Pa r k S e rv i c e , i t s Na t i o na l v C a p i t a l Re g i o n , a nd t h e a r i o u s P a r k S up e r i nt e nd e nt s t o ma k e a c o nc e r t e d e f f o r t t o u p g r a d e e x i st i ng b i c y c l e f a c i l i t i e s b e t t e r t o se r v e t h e ne e d s o f a r e a r e s i d e nt s a s we l l a s t h e mi l l i o ns o f v i s i t o r s t o t h e Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l A r e a . Al l up g r a d e s a s a mi ni mum sh ou l d me e t t h e sa f e t y a nd d e s i g n s t a nd a r d s f o r b i c y c l e p a t h s
i s su e d b y AAS HTO o r c omp a r a b l e st a nd a r d s .
2 . PPTC e nc ou r a g e s t h e Na t i o na l Pa r k S e r v i c e t h r o u g h i t s Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l Re g i o n t o i nc r e a se i t s e f f o r t s p r omp t l y t o
c o nst r uc t c o nne c t o r s , mi ss i ng l i nk s a nd mi ss i ng o r i na d e q u a t e b r i dg e s : t o i mp r ov e d a ng e r ou s i nt e r se c t i o ns : a nd t o wi d e n o r t o c o nst r u c t ne w f a c i l i t i e s wh e r e ne c e ssa r y i n o r d e r t o d e c r e a se
c o ng e st i o n a nd u se r c o n f l i c t s , a nd t o i nc r e a se s a f e t y .
3 . PPTC su pp o r t s i nc r e a se d a pp r o p r i a t i o ns b y C o ng r e s s o n a n a nnu a l b a s i s t o p e r mi t t h e Na t i o na l P a r k S e r v i c e / Na t i o na l Ca p i t a l Re g i o n t o c omp l e t e a nd t o r v g r a d e t h e e x i st i ng sy st e m o f b i c y c l e J e v e a nd a s t r a i l s ma n a g e d b y t h e a t i o na l P a r k S r i c , , " s s i n l i nk s " e xp e d i t i ou s l y a s p o ss i b l e , t o c o nst r u c t t h e ma ny mi g , mi s s i n c o n e c t i o ns a nd mi ss i n o r i na d e u a t e b r i d e s wh i c h g n , g q g c u r r e nt l y c o nf r o nt r e c r e a t i o na l a nd c ommu t i ng u se r s o f t h e Pa r k ‘ S e r v i c e s t r a i l sy st e m.
4 PPTC e nc o u r a g e s a l l l o c a l j u r i s d i c t i o ns t o wo r k c om l e t e t h e i r own t o g e t h e r , a nd wi t h t h e Pa r k S e r v i c e , t o p p o r t i o ns o f c o nne c t o r s a nd " mi s s i ng l i nk s " so t h a t t h e v a st p o t e nt i a l o f a r e g i o na l t r a i l sy st e m su i t a b l e f o r r e c r e a t i o na l
a nd c ommu t i ng u se c a n b e r e a l i z e d .
Ad o p t e d : I f o r t h e PPTC x e c u t v e C o mmi t t e e
1 10
e Karatko a l na at a a c Wa c Rob rt , Tr i s Coordi tor, N ion l P rk Servi e, shington Offi e ll n of i Marc Ke ogg, Planner, Arli gton County Department Publ c Works ic c fa r i a a i a a Steven King, B y le Af i s Coord nator, M ryland St te H ghw y Administr tion La erw a c c na a Wa Peter g y, Bi y le Coordi tor, Se ttle, shington a of l a f i r Jay L ngford, Department Metropo it n Development and In ormat on Resou ces, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) NCR Jim Lindsey, Claims Specialist, Safety Office Ar 1989 on Livingston, Executive Director, WABA, a W n O Jim Loach, R nger Activities, ashi gton ffice, NPS a r Rich rd Lockwood, Bicycle Coordinator, Commonwealth of Vi ginia ul McCra & a n l Pa y, Park Manager, W OD Tr il, Northern Virgi ia Regiona Park Authority McDonou h M- NCPPC n li . r l Phyl s J g , Park Planner, , Montgomery Cou ty, Ma y and
l h l z . h D i Mitt e o t U S C . Cam lle , Department of Transportation, Was ington, i f in a . u c a a ac a e in Ch rles H Montange, P bl A f irs Coord tor, Potom Ped l rs Tour g Club
. e a r at O Christopher R N umann, Tr nspo t ion Specialist, C G ll a a a - Wi iam Newman, Division of Maintenance, Nation l C pital P rks Central O in a t of a Glenn rl , Montgomery County Dep r ment Tr nsportation O PATC Don wens, m Tom Pendleton, Bicycle Affairs Coordinator, District of Colu bia r f f Pochte O c o i DC . a o Theodore , ffi e Policy, Plann ng, and Evaluation, Dep rtment Recreation ll if n r hi a Hi ard Ratl f, Facility Ma age , George Was ngton Memori l Parkway n l a fi i i Dia ne Rowe, Trai s Pl nner, Of ce of Comprehensive Plann ng, Fa rfax County s Arthur Ross, Bicycle Coordinator, Madison, Wi consin ll a Bi Silverm n, President, WABA - of ns Gail Tait Nouri, Sidewalks and Bikeways Coordinator, Department Tra portation, un a Montgomery Co ty, M ryland
Bart Truesdell, Chief, Interpretation and Resource Management, George Washington Memorial Parkway l d l Ritch Viola, Bicyc e Coor inator, Arlington County Department of Pub ic W orks
a . O l In c . W yne T Whitney, President, xon Hi l Bicycle and Touring Club, l III ll . W l of Am in DC . Wi iam C i kinson, , Bicyc e Federation erica , Wash gton,
1 1 2 BIBLIOGRAPH Y
a of Alexandri , City " no date Bike Trails and Recreational Facilities Ma p
American Associa tion of State Highway and Transportation Officials
of l 31 . 1981 Guide For Development New Bicycle Faci ities, pages
Arlington County Department of Public Works " 1983 Bikeway Map
Arlington County : 1 and l 1 986 Master Transportation Plan Part Hiking, Biking, Jogging Trai s, Street
1 04 . "and"Walkways, pages
a B rnett, Jocelyn " " a tu 1 985 Mount Vernon Bike Tr il Commuter Study , s dent research paper for East
Stroudsburg University .
- Aschman s Inc. Barton Associate , r h 1 975 Bicycle Transportation Plan and Program for the Dist ict of Columbia, Was ,
: of a and c 30 ma . DC DC Department Highw ys Traffi , pages plus p
a Bikeway Safety Analysis, Mount Vernon Bicycle Tr il, Alexandria Avenue to
l r ia a . Waynewood Bou evard, Fairfax County, Vi gin , typ ed m nuscript
National Park Service/National Capital Region Bikeway Planning and Design
a a 1 05 a . M nu l, p ges
- McG ee . Bellamo , Inc 1 986 George Washington Memorial Parkway: Columbia Island Trail and Roadway
109 . Study, prepared for NPS National Capital Region, pages
BikeCentennial
no date Maine to Virginia Bicycle Route Section 3 map .
Bosworth, Jena R. " 1987 - a 49 . Rock Creek Park Multi Purpose Trail Survey dr ft, pages
Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail and the Greater Bethesda - Chevy Chase Coalition 1 988 l for c 50 . Concept P an the Capital Cres ent Trail, pages
L. . Cook, Walter , ed 1965 a l and : r Bike Tr i s Facilities A Guide to Thei Design, Construction, and
: a c 53 . Operation, Wheeling, WV Americ n Institute of Park Exe utives, pages
i Cycl ng News Service, The 1 988 . D C : n New sService 28 s . ed Bicycling Reference Book, Washington, Cycli g , pag
DeLeu w a n C ther, Engi eers and Planners " 1 976 Wa n t l i a u h : a i shi g on Regiona B kew ys St dy Was , DC W sh ngton Metropolitan i f o a . Counc l Governments , dr ft
1 13 DeLeu w Cather/Parsons Brinckerhoff 1 7 : 98 Technical Report Transportation/Recreation Alternatives, Georgetown Branch
2 a . Corridor Study, volumes, dr ft report
District of Columbia Bicycle Program Office " r 1987 Proposed Bicycle Transportation Plan d aft map .
District of Columbia Department of Recreation l D m . 1986 c a . C c Distri t of Columbia Comprehensive Recre tion P an, Wash , Govern ent
of of 1 15 . the District Columbia , pages
Fairfax County "
1 i a a Ma . rev . 986 Countyw de Tr ils Pl n p
Federal Highway Administration 1 986 a n t DC : Highway Route Designation Criteri for Bicycle Routes, Washi g on,
FH WA ffi r h 319 . O ce of Resea c and Development, pages
i t n Eng neering S udy for George Washington Memorial Parkway, Virgi ia, " l n : r d Mary and, and District of Columbia, Arli gton, VA Easte n Direct Fe eral
i 3 r . Divis on, volumes, d aft
for DC Engineering Study " "Rock Creek Park, Washington, , Arlington,
a a 38 . E stern Direct Feder l Division, pages plus appendices
ld DeH aven Fe man, Deborah and Tom " "
1985 i f . B ke Trail Study prepared for National Capital Region, dra t
n a i Fish, Jack (regio al director, N t onal Capital Region)
1 986 . Letter to Peter Harnik, Washington Area Bicyclists Assoc
A l n DP . W Goodlett, Warren W ( r i gton County )
1 986 DeH aven . Letter to Tom , National Capital Region
a H rnik, Peter (WABA)
1 984 to a . Letter J ck Fish, National Capital Region
’ - a l l and Maryland N tiona Capita Parks Planning Commission, Prince George s County
1975 Adopted and Approved Countywide Trails Plan .
m Equestrian Addendu to the Countyw ide Trails Plan map .
Ma ryland Office of Tourism and Development "
. 1987 a l in c M ry and Bicycle Touring Guide map, prepared cooperation with the c z Maryland Asso iation of Bicycle Organi ations .
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) 1 i " 988 Bicycle Routes in the Wash ngton Area map .
i IV 144 f . Cooperative Forecast ng Round Technical Report, pages, dra t
1 14
’ a c a c e a a e c the a e of the e hasr for As the n tion s prin ip l ons rv tion g n y, Dep rtm nt Int rior esponsibility r c most of ou nationally ow ned public lands and natural and cultu ral resources . This in ludes of our a and w a r c r c and fostering wise use l nd ter esour es, p ote ting our fish wildlife, preserving the e v r m a and cu ra a e of a a a and ca ace and v for n i on ent l ltu l v lu s our n tion l p rks histori l pl s, pro iding the en me fl e r u u r r r ar m a our e e and joy nt o if th o gh o tdoo ec eation . The dep t ent ssesses n rgy mineral r n 1 esources a d works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our pe0 p e . The department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in America campaign by encouraging stewardship and citizen responsibility for the public lands and promoting citizen participation in e ar The r th ir c e . depa tment also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation c nd a e a ri . a a . ommunities for people who liv in isl nd ter tories under U S. dministr tion
NPS D 36 June 1990
’ the a a c rva a c ar m of has e i for As n tion s princip l onse tion gen y, the Dep t ent the Interior r sponsibil ty f r c most o ou nationally ow ned public lands and natural and cultural resou rces . This in ludes e w ou r a and a c c ou r and l e e fost ring ise use of l nd w ter resour es, prote ting fish wild if , pr serving the r e a and c a va of our a a ar and ca ac and r for envi onm nt l ultur l lues n tion l p ks histori l pl es, p oviding me f i r The e a e a e our r and m ra the enjoy nt o l fe th ough outdoor recreation. d p rtm nt ssess s ene gy ine l rc an w r l 1 resou es d o ks to ensure that their development is in the best interests of a l our pe0 p e . The department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in Ameri ca campaign by encoura ging stew ardship and citizen responsibility for the public lands and promoting citizen participation in r ca e thei r . The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation c and for w h v r a ommunities people o li e in island te ritories under U S . administr tion .
NPS D 36 June 1990