“Keep Beach Drive Closed to Cars”

“Dear PoPville,

One of the greatest pleasures during the pandemic (which yes there were some) has been the closure of upper Beach Drive to vehicles. My family has visited Rock Creek Park almost every day, walking trails along Beach Drive, riding our bikes or skateboarding along the open road. And we are not alone, there are always dozens of other families and individuals enjoying the beauty of this park. With Beach Drive closed to vehicle traffic, we can enjoy Rock Creek Park in ways we have never been able to before– without the noise and pollution of commuters, on weekdays (!), and in the serene silence of how a National Park should sound.

I know we are not alone in enjoying this development and I would like your help in encouraging others to express their support for keeping upper Beach Drive closed to cars.

The decision will be made by NPS, but one way we can have our voices heard is by sharing your position with the DC Council Committee on Transporation and Environment. They held a roundtable yesterday on Transporation After the Pandemic where they discussed this issue. Chairperson Cheh will be sharing the record of that hearing with NPS, which can include community statements of support in keeping the road closed. People can send their comments to the Committee by April 6th at 5pm to be included in the record.

Having this quiet pocket of nature has been such an amazing community resource over the course of the pandemic, and the possibility of having it taken over by angry commuters again breaks my heart!