photo by Joseph Gruber

“Dear PoPville,

Back on (an unseasonably warm) Nov. 12, I was walking with a friend on 14th St. around midday and saw a group of maybe 5ish women biking together. They looked to be about my speed (18 mph range), and were outfitted in bike gear. I was wondering if they’re a bike group and taking in new members — I’d love to find a group of female bikers to join, rather than the…not always welcoming male-led groups.”



via DDOT

Ed. Note: Rep. Eleanor Holmes “Norton Disappointed National Zoo Refuses to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours, Will Explore Legislative Options to Extend Hours”

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced that the rehabilitation of the Rock Creek Trail is now complete, offering bicyclists and pedestrians nearly 3 miles of reconstructed trail as well as a new 110-foot pedestrian bridge.

Originally expected to be completed in Spring 2023, the $14.6 million project was finished six months ahead of schedule. It rehabilitated more than 2.8 miles of the paved, multi-use trail, spanning from Wards 1 through 4 from M Street NW in Georgetown to Broad Branch Road NW. (more…)


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. (more…)


From Rock Creek Conservancy:

“I am still buzzing with excitement over this month’s announcement that upper Beach Drive will remain permanently open to recreation. My thanks go out, once again, to Rock Creek Park (National Park Service) and to all the advocates who helped pave the way for this essential car-free open space. Together, let’s celebrate this historic decision!

Join us this Sunday, November 20 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a Beach Party celebrating all the ways we can enjoy Rock Creek. It will also be a beech party, savoring the fragile forests that define our urban oasis.

The event will feature: (more…)


Ed. Note: The recent Beach Drive reassessment gives a bit hope this wrong will be righted too!

From the office of recently re-elected Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who met with the National Zoo, the National Park Service (NPS), and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) to discuss the Zoo Loop Trail’s limited hours, today said she was disappointed the zoo rejected her request to extend the hours. Norton said she will explore legislative options to extend the hours and continue to have discussions with the zoo, NPS, DDOT, and the community on options for extending the hours.

The trail, which runs through the 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. (more…)


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