D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 812
812.1 Although Washington, DC, does not have jurisdiction over the National Mall and the adjoining open spaces in East and West Potomac Parks, these are arguably the most visible and high-profile parklands in the District. They project the image of Washington, DC, to the world and attract millions of visitors each year. The future of the landscaped glades between the U.S. Capitol and the Potomac River is the focus of national debate, as the need for new monuments and memorials is balanced against the need to retain the Mall’s historic form, sight lines, and open quality. Under statehood, the National Mall and environs would be preserved as the core of the federal district. In addition, the prospect of sea level rise threatens the continued viability of recreational uses at East Potomac Park and Hains Point. The Mall serves local, national, and international communities. It is integral to Washington, DC’s history. The National Mall should remain an inclusive space that allows users to recognize history while balancing the need to draw visitors to the District. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has prepared several important plans on these issues, including the Legacy Plan and the Memorials and Museums Master Plan. Both plans seek to preserve the historic proportions of the Mall, recognize its multiple functions as a passive and active open space, and expand the open space network to new areas along South Capitol Street and the Anacostia River.
812.2 Several planning initiatives for the National Mall have been completed. In 2000, NPS completed a Comprehensive Design Plan for the White House and President’s Park. The approved plan provides the management framework and flexibility needed to manage and preserve the site for the presidency and the public. In 2001, NCPC released the Memorials and Museums Master Plan, which identifies 100 potential locations for memorials and museums, and provides general guidelines for their development. In addition, in 2004, the nonprofit organization National Mall Coalition launched the National Mall Third Century Initiative (3C Initiative). The mission of the 3C Initiative is to renew the vitality of the Mall through creative public use, wise stewardship for the next century, and appropriate expansion. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) is also involved in planning and design decisions on the Mall.
812.3 Rock Creek Park is the largest contiguous open space within the District, encompassing over 2,000 acres along the Rock Creek Valley and its tributary streams. The park’s scenic landscapes provide a respite from the cityscape of Washington, DC. Each year, more than two million people visit the park to hike, picnic, play, and enjoy its rugged beauty. More than 12 million people a year use the park roads for commuting or scenic driving. In 2005, NPS completed a General Management Plan (GMP) for the largest unit of Rock Creek Park, providing guidance on how to best protect natural resources and manage visitor
services. The goals of the GMP are to preserve and perpetuate the ecology of the Rock Creek Valley, protect archaeological and historic resources, provide for education and exploration, and create opportunities for recreation that are compatible with the park's natural and cultural setting. The GMP itself includes management prescriptions that will guide future land use decisions and issues regarding road closures and traffic management.
812.4 At the start of the Civil War in 1861, a series of fortifications was built around Washington, DC, to protect the nation's capital from a Confederate invasion. Among the fortifications were Fort Stevens, site of an 1864 battle; Fort Reno, highest point in the District; and Fort Dupont, the largest park in Ward 7 or 8. After the Civil War, most of the 68 forts and 93 batteries were dismantled, and the land was returned to its pre-war owners. Before they disappeared completely, a number of fort sites were purchased by the federal government and developed as parkland. An envisioned Fort Circle greenbelt featured prominently in the McMillan Plan of 1901, and with the advent of the automobile, the greenbelt was proposed as a 23-mile circumferential parkway around the growing District (the Fort Drive).
812.5 NPS prepared a GMP for the Fort Circle Parks in 2003. The GMP's primary objectives include protection of ecological and historical values and accommodation of local recreational interests. The GMP seeks to remedy issues such as the deteriorated state of the parks' historical earthworks, concerns about visitor safety, and the lack of visitor services and interpretive facilities. Among the planned improvements are a new hiking trail linking the forts through existing parkland, new recreational features, coordinated signage, and new public access points.
812.6 The Potomac and Anacostia rivers and their associated tributaries, such as Watts Branch and Pope Branch, provide an important link in the District's open space network. They provide protection for sensitive natural habitat, scenic beauty, and water-oriented recreation for District residents and visitors. Washington, DC's waterfront open spaces encompass an area larger than all of Rock Creek Park.
812.7 Investments in infrastructure have started to provide a connected waterfront, so that the Anacostia River no longer divides neighborhoods, although further connections, many in planning, are needed. State-of-the-art multimodal projects are enhancing mobility and public access to and along the waterfront, such as the nearly 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and the local 11th Street Bridge, which now serves pedestrians and cyclists. When constructed, the planned Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will continue this momentum along with the planned pedestrian and cyclist bridge spanning the Anacostia River and additional new miles of bike paths linking underserved communities.
812.8 In addition, the Anacostia waterfront has emerged as a cultural center complementing the Mall with cultural venues, sports arenas, and museums. These amenities enliven the waterfront’s shores with millions of annual visitors and reinforce the District’s unique cultural heritage. There are also new developments and neighborhoods that serve as destinations themselves, such as the Wharf, and that are changing the image of the District and its relationship with the water through unique public spaces and programming. From Nationals Park and Audi Field to new museums, music venues, future monuments, and the planned 11th Street Bridge Park, the Anacostia waterfront is adding to the cultural energy and dynamism of Washington, DC. Despite these successes, significant environmental, urban design, and infrastructure challenges remain.
See the Environmental Protection, Urban Design, and Infrastructure elements for more information about these issues.
812.9 Policies for the waterfront are presented in the Section PROS-3.2 of this element.812.10 Policy PROS-3.1.1: District Open Space Networks Coordinate with NPS and other relevant organizations to restore the environmental health of the District's open space networks, including tree cover and habitat, and to help more residents experience these areas through nature programs and trails.812.11 Policy PROS-3.1.2: Monumental Core Preserve the integrity of the National Mall open space, and advocate for federal plans and programs that protect this area from inappropriate or excessive development.812.12 Policy PROS-3.1.3: East and West Potomac Parks Work with the federal government to protect and enhance the great open spaces of the Monumental Core beyond the National Mall, such as Hains Point and the Tidal Basin parklands. In efforts consistent with the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, support the use of these areas for outdoor cultural events and celebrations, and for recreational activities and amenities that serve District residents and visitors. Planning for these areas should provide opportunities to expand the National Mall and better integrate East Potomac Park with the Southwest Waterfront across the Washington Channel. Planning for these areas should also seek to mitigate sea level rise through nature-based design solutions where possible.812.13 Policy PROS-3.1.4: Rock Creek Park The District's land use and transportation decisions should support the conservation of Rock Creek Park as a national scenic resource. Actively participate in discussions about the management of park resources—including
roadways and recreational facilities—and environmental quality.
Maintain the scenic open space qualities and ecology of the District’s stream valley parks, including tributaries to the Potomac and Anacostia rivers and tributaries to Rock Creek. Create and maintain hiking and walking paths along tributary streams as appropriate to preserve habitats, minimize erosion, and preserve trees. Ensure that development adjacent to stream valley corridor parks does not compromise visual and ecological values and access to natural and forested areas.
See the Environmental Protection Element for additional policies on stream preservation.
Protect and enhance the Fort Circle Parks as an integrated network of permanent open spaces that connect neighborhoods, provide scenic beauty and historic interest, and offer a variety of recreational activities. Recognize these parks as an important District and national resource. Prevent District and federal actions that would harm historic and ecological resources in the Fort Circle Parks, and strongly support actions that would improve their maintenance, connectivity, visibility, accessibility, and safety.
Maintain and design public and private development adjacent to the edges of open spaces and parks to be compatible with these parklands and improve park access and safety.
Support and participate in NPS and NCPC efforts to plan for parks and open spaces in, and adjacent to, the Monumental Core. Encourage resident participation in these efforts.
Actively participate with the appropriate federal agencies, commissions, and others in discussions and decisions on the siting of new monuments, memorials, and other commemorative works on open spaces within Washington, DC.
Support federal efforts to implement the Comprehensive Design Plan for the White House and President’s Park and the GMPs for Rock Creek Park and the Fort Circle Parks.
Use land acquisition and/or easements to complete the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail and to provide additional Fort Circle Park signage and historic markers.
812.21
Actively participate in interjurisdictional and public-private partnerships to preserve, enhance, restore, and complete the Fort Circle Parks.
812.22
In cooperation with appropriate federal agencies, identify park resources, including triangle parks, in federal jurisdiction that could potentially be transferred to the District, as well as District jurisdiction parks that could potentially be transferred to federal jurisdiction, for conservation or recreational purposes only.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).