From the Mayor’s Office on Saturday:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the National Park Service (NPS) celebrated the newest section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), between Brookland and Fort Totten. This new section closes a gap in the District’s pedestrian and bicycle network and represents a key milestone in the goal to complete the nearly 900-mile regional trail network.

“Washingtonians are eager to embrace new ways of using public space and new ways of getting around our city, and we’re proud that with the MBT, we’re delivering a space that is practical, safe, and that people truly enjoy using,” said Mayor Bowser. “As we continue investing in a multi-modal city that is more sustainable and less reliant on cars, we know that spaces like these will play a critical role in our transportation network.”

The new 0.8-mile trail is 11 feet wide, connects the Fort Totten Metro to the Brookland Metro, and provides North-South bicycle and pedestrian connectivity for Catholic University, Lamond Riggs, Queens Chapel, Manor Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The new trail features LED lighting, stormwater management facilities, wayfinding signage, and security cameras. Read More

Thanks to Eric for sending (and calling 911) around 6:15pm, this brush fire seen along the MBT at about W street. DC Fire and EMS responded quickly and put out the fire.

Thanks to Brian for sending from Eckington: “Injured kestrel on the MBT at 4th and T NE. The person that made the call reached out to Humane Rescue Alliance. Was rescued by animal control. Happy ending!”

If you spot a hawk, any interesting wildlife or celebrity skateboarder Tony Hawk, and get a good photo please send in an email where you spotted them to [email protected]. Thanks! Hawks around Town is made possible by a generous grant from the Ben and Sylvia Gardner foundation.

“Dear PoPville,

Scuttlebut: New Dog Park in Eckington (Bryant St) + Staircase next to CIty-State Brewery. I would say it is at the end of Bryant ST NE where one would enter the MBT trail entrance near the Rhode Island Ave metro pedestrian bridge. Read More

From MPD:

“Over the course of the last week, several robberies have occurred on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. As a result of diligent investigative work, conducted by the Fifth District Detective’s Unit, several suspects were developed.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, members of the Fifth District’s Crime Suppression Team conducted operations in the area of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, in an effort to locate and apprehend the suspects involved in this string of recent robberies along the trail. Read More

Thanks to chai for sending: “It’s on the MBT by the noma station–same place that had chalk outlines previously. Now someone’s gotten some spray paint and a scooter stencil involved”

Update from the NoMa BID:

“Thanks @WABADC trail rangers and @DDOTDC for the #escooter parking spaces. #MBT #MetBranchTrail #NoMa”

via google maps

From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit announced an arrest has been made in reference to a First Degree Sexual Abuse and an Assault with the Intent to Commit Robbery that occurred on Friday, March 08, 2019, in the 200 block of P Street, Northwest.

At approximately 11:00 am, the victim was approached by the suspect, at the listed location, as she was getting into a ride share vehicle. The suspect sexually assaulted her and attempted to take her property then fled the scene. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

On Friday, March 8, 2019, 36-year-old Broadus Johnson, of No Fixed Address, was arrested and charged with First Degree Sexual Abuse and Assault with the Intent to Commit Robbery.

From MPD Saturday night:

“Armed Robbery Gun at 2328 hrs on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Lookout for (10) B/M’S, ages in their teens, wearing all black clothing and armed with dark and silver guns. Last seen running North on the trail.”

Thanks to Denise to for sending:

“At about 2pm this afternoon, I stopped my run on the Metro Branch Trail to allow this car to pass me. At least they were driving on the right side. And it indeed was a Maryland driver.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Bowser today broke ground on the Fort Totten extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), which will connect the existing trail from John McCormack Drive in Brookland to the Fort Totten Metro Station. This is the next major milestone toward the completion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

“This extension is a tremendous example of how we are working together as a community to build a safer, stronger DC for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Mayor Bowser. “With this project, we’re closing key gaps in our network and providing a safe, off-street route for people traveling through the District.”

The $11 million project, which will take approximately 18 months to complete, Read More

via google maps

Mark passes on from the MBT listserv:

“This morning at 8:45 a man was exposing himself while standing in the middle of the trail, between NY Ave. & R St. NE. I saw something similar about a month ago, but it was not so obvious, so I didn’t report it. I called police this morning after I got to work. Please report to police if you see this behavior — if it is the same person he seems to be getting more bold.”

From an email:

“There is a black male, about 5’8”, wearing a light blue sky denim jacket and pants, jerking off in public on the NoMa metro platform. The WMATA police have been notified. According to a nice man I was with, he is around the area often. Please stay alert. I was sitting on one of the benches as he did this in my peripheral.”