The Latest Effort to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours

From the office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter requesting that the final fiscal year 2023 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill direct the National Zoo to extend the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in a manner that allows the National Zoo to maintain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Norton met this week with the AZA. The AZA said the National Zoo has two options to extend the trail’s hours and maintain accreditation: extend the National Zoo’s hours of operations or build new fencing around the trail. The National Zoo has rejected both options.

The trail, which runs through the Nation Zoo’s grounds in Rock Creek Park and recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The National Zoo has tied the trail’s hours to the National Zoo’s hours of operations.

Norton has met with the National Zoo, the National Park Service (NPS), and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) to discuss options for extending the trail’s hours, but the National Zoo rejected her request to extend the trail’s hours. Norton has announced she will invite the National Zoo, NPS, and DDOT to participate in a town hall meeting to discuss the issue with D.C. residents. The AZA said it would be willing to participate in the event, which is currently being planned.

“As chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure,” said Norton. “The Zoo Loop Trail is an important part of the Rock Creek Park trail system and is used for commuting and recreation. I will continue to work to extend the trail’s hours.”

Norton’s letter follows.

November 16, 2022

Dear Chair Pingree and Ranking Member Joyce:

As you begin drafting the final fiscal year 2023 Department of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, I urge you to include a provision directing the National Zoo to extend the Zoo Loop Trail’s hours in a manner that allows it to maintain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). I recognize that this provision is not in either the House or Senate versions of the bill, but the Zoo Loop Trail issue arose after the bills were drafted.

The Zoo Loop Trail is an important part of the Rock Creek Park trail system, which is used for commuting and recreation. However, the Zoo Loop Trail, which is controlled by the zoo, runs through the zoo’s grounds and reopened to the public last month after renovations, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., which prevents its use for evening commuting and recreation. Those hours are tied to the zoo’s hours of operations. I have asked the zoo to extend the trail’s hours, but it has refused to do so.

According to the AZA, the zoo has two options to extend the Zoo Loop Trail’s hours and maintain its accreditation: extend the zoo’s hours of operations or build new fencing around the trail. The zoo has rejected both options.

Again, I urge you to include a provision in the bill directing the zoo to extend the Zoo Loop Trail’s hours in a manner that allows it to maintain accreditation.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)”