Trail Tours a Hit!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a close look at some exciting developments for trails in DC and the surrounding Washington Area. In September and early October, we invited trail neighbors and curious advocates on three trail tours (each on our advocacy priority list) to see the trails, build some context, and explore options for moving forward with rehabilitation and extensions. In case you missed the tours, read on a for a recap. While many of these projects are progressing forward, continued public support and pressure are crucial to seeing them through. Feeling like you missed all the fun? Join us on November 15 for our Future Trails Celebration to celebrate our region’s trail’s and learn about the next ones. This trail tour series, and our ongoing trail advocacy work, was made possible thanks to the generous support of REI!

Metropolitan Branch Trail

Traveling by foot, we toured the future northern route of the Met Branch Trail between the Fort Totten and Takoma Metro Stations, now in design. This phase will connect directly to the existing trail on John McCormack Road and extend the trail almost to the DC boundary through a combination of wide sidepaths, separated trail, and possible on street improvements. Click here for more details.

Greg gives our walk some context

Matt Liddle from REI on why REI cares about local advocacy

Some possible routes are woody and spacious

Others have more of a neighborhood feel

Some will greatly benefit from bike friendliness

Plenty of discussion on process

Southeast DC’s Unbuilt Trails

This time by bike, we toured two of the District’s existing trails in Ward 8, experiencing the needs, barriers, and possibilities for better mobility by bike and foot. In particular, we discussed the new South Capitol St. Trail, the Oxon Run Trail Rehabilitation, and improved connection ot the Suitland Parkway Trail coming with the Douglas Bridge replacement project.

SE Trails Advocates assembled

Greg talking rehabilitation of the Oxon Run Trail

Suitland Parkway Trail at the District line

Greg talks Suitland Parkway possible connections

Garrett talking Suitland Parkway Trail state of disrepair

Heading to South Capitol Street

Washington Baltimore & Annapolis Trail

For our third field trip, we took a leisurely ride on the WB&A Trail, a rail trail that runs more than 10 miles in two sections between PG and Anne Arundel Counties in Maryland. With quiet wooded stretches and luxurious bridges and tunnels, this trail is a delight to ride and would be a crucial connection from DC to Baltimore and Annapolis, if the ambitious plan is completed. More on extension possibilities to come.