EHN

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…)

“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…)

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…)

“D.C. Government Will Stay Open if Federal Government Shuts Down Friday”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“With the possibility of a federal government shutdown on Friday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reminded District of Columbia residents that a provision she got included in the enacted fiscal year (FY) 2022 D.C. Appropriations bill exempts the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2023. Norton has gotten the D.C. government exempted from federal government shutdowns each year since FY 2015. (more…)

“Norton Meets with National Park Service and Architect of the Capitol About Capitol Stones in Rock Creek Park”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Fritz Myer

From the Office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today met with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) about the Capitol stones in Rock Creek Park. NPS, which controls Rock Creek Park, recently requested the removal of the stones. AOC intends to store them in a facility at Ft. Meade.

In the meeting, Norton asked why the stones need to be removed from Rock Creek Park and if they could remain. NPS explained that, while there have been no reported accidents on the stones, people climb on the stones and there is no way to impose the same safety rules as those at playgrounds. (more…)

Fences Finally Down, “Norton to Introduce Bill to Prohibit Permanent Fencing at Supreme Court”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo of fences, finally, down by monikerdc

From the office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“After the Supreme Court removed the temporary anti-climb fencing around its grounds last weekend, which was installed in May, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she will introduce a bill to prohibit the installation of permanent fencing around the Supreme Court grounds. (more…)

Capitol Stones in Rock Creek Park, Fenced Off Since Last Summer Could Be Moving Soon

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Fritz Myer

Almost exactly a year ago we posted “Any idea why the Capitol Stones have been blocked off?”

Looks like there is finally some action, Bloomberg Government reported:

“Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said the Capitol stones, removed from the East Portico in 1958-62 renovations, should be turned into a more formal exhibit in Rock Creek Park, where they were dumped likely in the 1970s. Norton said she’s heard from constituents who like taking their kids to the stones, which have turned into an unsanctioned attraction a short distance from a walking trail in the park.”

From the Office of Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today requested a joint meeting with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to discuss removal of the Capitol Stones, which were part of the original Capitol building, from Rock Creek Park. NPS recently requested the removal of the stones for safety and preservation, and some are currently being stored in an AOC facility in Ft. Meade without public access. (more…)

“a trial helicopter noise reporting system is now operational in the National Capital Region”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by atherahsan

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus and a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, announced that a trial helicopter noise reporting system is now operational in the National Capital Region (NCR). The trial system is run by the Eastern Region Helicopter Council and the Helicopter Association International. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will evaluate the results of the trial system. (more…)

“Postal Service Responds to Norton Letter on Undelivered and Delayed Mail in D.C.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the response she received from the United States Postal Service (USPS) to her April 28, 2022, letter about undelivered and delayed mail throughout the District of Columbia and her office’s difficulty in receiving timely responses from USPS. In its response, USPS apologized for the delays in responding to her office and said D.C. postal officials recently implemented new procedures to avoid future delays in responding, including a new platform to track congressional inquiries. The response also noted that USPS in D.C. recently made a push to substantially reduce the number of outstanding congressional cases, bringing them nearly current.

“I am pleased USPS responded to my letter on mail delivery issues and my office’s difficulties in getting responses to cases we opened on behalf of constituents,” Norton said. “When I sent the letter, my office had approximately 130 mail cases open, many of which had been open for nearly a year. We have been able to resolve and close nearly 75% of those, bringing the current total down to 26 open cases. I will be watching to ensure that USPS maintains this level of responsiveness.”

The USPS response letter follows. (more…)

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