BikeDC

“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.”

By Prince Of Petworth


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…)

The Latest Effort to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours

By Prince Of Petworth

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…)

Celebrate Beach Drive with Rock Creek Conservancy this Sunday!

By Prince Of Petworth

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…)

“Norton Disappointed National Zoo Refuses to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours, Will Explore Legislative Options to Extend Hours” and “Norton to Invite National Zoo, NPS, and DDOT to Participate in Town Hall Meeting with D.C. Residents to Discuss Zoo Loop Trail Hours”

By Prince Of Petworth

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…)

“Reminder on Cycling Safety Equipment Laws”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Phil

“Dear PoPville,

Just had another cyclist scold me (last night), while we were both in motion on Georgia Ave, about my lack of a rear light. However, my bike has both a flashing LED front light and a rear reflector. I know that bike safety is a common topic here, so I thought it would be worth calling out two points:

1) Each bike, when in use at night, is required to have a front lamp and a red reflector on the rear. A rear light is NOT required, but is recommended. A helpful resource is the DC Bike Law Pocket Guide

2) Don’t yell at other cyclist while in motion in traffic! Distractions are dangerous

Language from the Pocket Guide: (more…)

EHN Gets an Explanation from Zoo and NPS on “Limited Hours for Zoo Loop Trail.” Well, when it is open, it’s pretty sweet!

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Alisa for sharing a photo this morning from the newly opened bike path by the zoo. Now you can see why hours should have been extended.

From the Office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a statement on the explanation she received from the National Zoo and the National Park Service (NPS) on the limited hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia.

The Zoo Loop Trail, which reopened to the public last weekend, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These limited hours prompted Norton to contact the zoo and NPS for an explanation. The zoo explained that the trail hours are tied to the zoo’s hours of operations to maintain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, since the trail runs through the zoo’s secondary animal containment perimeter. NPS stated that all other trails in Rock Creek Park remain open from sunrise to sunset.

“As chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bike and pedestrian infrastructure,” said Norton. “I am pleased to receive this prompt explanation from the National Zoo and the National Park Service on why the Zoo Loop Trail has such limited hours, so I can share it with my constituents. I am also glad that NPS affirmed that the other Rock Creek Park trails remain open from sunrise to sunset.”

Update from EHN:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she will meet with the National Zoo and the National Park Service (NPS) to explore options to extend the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia. (more…)

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