815.1 Trails and linear parks are an important part of the open space network. They link the District’s open spaces to one another and provide access between neighborhoods and nature. In some cases, they provide stream buffers or visual edges within communities. There are many different kinds of trails serving a range of recreational and transportation functions. Recent trail planning efforts have focused on improving bicycle mobility and waterfront access, and on showcasing the District’s cultural, historic, and scenic resources. Trail planning is an integral part of park and open space planning. It is a means of improving access to parks and developing new trails within parks.

815.2 Key trail-building initiatives include the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and Fort Circle Parks Hiker-Biker Trail (both referenced in the previous section), the Metropolitan Branch Trail between Union Station and Silver Spring, the Watts Branch Trail, the Georgetown Waterfront Trail, the Broad Branch Road NW connection between the Western Ridge Trail and Soapstone Valley Trail, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST). The PHNST is of particular interest, as it is one of the country’s 22 scenic national trails and includes multiple strands extending from the Chesapeake Bay to western Pennsylvania. Several of these strands pass through Washington, DC.

815.3 The Bicycle Element of moveDC, released in 2014, includes many recommendations to improve bicycle facilities and infrastructure, such as expanding and upgrading the network of shared-use paths to eliminate bicycle network gaps, and facilitating and supporting development of regional and national trail routes. Additional details on the Bicycle Element of moveDC may be found in the Transportation Element of this Comprehensive Plan.

815.4 Figure 8.5: Trail Improvements Recommended by moveDC

Anacostia Park Trail/Prince George’s County’s Colmar Manor Park Trail
Gallatin Street NE Trail/Prince George’s County’s Trail Connection to West Hyattsville Metrorail Station
Long Bridge Trail/Mount Vernon Trail in Arlington County
New York Avenue NE Trail/Prince George’s County’s Colmar Manor Park Trail
Oxon Run Trail/Prince George’s County’s Oxon Run Trail
Pennsylvania Avenue SE Trail/Prince George’s County’s Pennsylvania Avenue Bicycle Lane/Trail
Rock Creek Park (Beach Drive NW) Trail/Montgomery County’s Rock Creek Trail
Suitland Parkway Trail into Prince George’s County

South Capitol Street Trail into Oxon Hill Farm and Prince George's County

815.5 Policy PROS-3.4.1: Trail Network Develop a network of trails, paths, and linear parks to link the District's open space areas and improve access to open space. Trails and paths should provide a safe and convenient way for residents to experience Washington, DC's scenery and natural beauty on foot or by bicycle.815.6 Policy PROS-3.4.2: Linear Park Connections Work with the federal government to improve connections between the open spaces within the District of Columbia through land acquisition and park dedication, particularly where gaps in the District's open space network exist. Attention should be given to acquisitions that better connect the Fort Circle Parks and improve shoreline access.815.7 Policy PROS-3.4.3: Preserving Natural Features Preserve the scenic qualities of trails and the parklands they traverse. This includes designing trails to reduce erosion and tree removal and preserving the integrity of the settings that make each trail unique.815.8 Policy PROS-3.4.4: Trails in Underutilized Rights-of-Way Develop multiuse trails in underutilized rights-of-way, including surplus railroad corridors, undeveloped street rights-of-way, and possibly alleys.815.9 Policy PROS-3.4.5: Trail Dedication Require trail dedication, as appropriate, on privately-owned development sites along the District's streams, waterfronts, and linear parks.815.10 Policy PROS-3.4.6: Trails and Rivers New development along the Anacostia and Potomac rivers should provide public right-of-way for trail connections and extensions where needed, and to construct trails according to applicable design standards and guidelines.815.11 Policy PROS-3.4.7: Trails and the Environment Limit the effects of trails on natural areas and open space by using environmentally responsible building materials, paving to prevent erosion where necessary, and locating new trails in areas that will minimize the degradation of sensitive environmental areas. Recognize that trails have broader environmental benefits, such as reducing vehicular traffic and emissions.815.12 Policy PROS-3.4.8: Multijurisdictional Coordination Work closely with other jurisdictions and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to provide a regional system of trails. Continually seek

to connect District trails with those in bordering jurisdictions and complete a regional system of trails.

815.13 Action PROS-3.4.A: Bicycle Trail Implementation Initiate focused trail planning and construction efforts to eliminate gaps in the bicycle trail network and to improve substandard trails, as itemized in moveDC. Coordinate with NPS on trails for which both DDOT and NPS have responsibility. Support District and federal agencies, including DDOT and NPS, in developing, funding, and building multiuse trails within select parks that can connect to the District-wide trail system. Work with NPS to align District planning and implementation efforts with the NPS National Capital Region Paved Trails Study (2016), which calls for coordination with local jurisdictions to advance trail projects that contribute to the success of the regional trail network.

815.14 Action PROS-3.4.B: District-wide Bicycle Network In support of Sustainable DC, continue to develop a District-wide 100-mile bicycle lane network. Prioritize bicycle connections to parks and recreation facilities.

815.15 Action PROS-3.4.C: Signage and Parking Provide more consistent and unified signage along the District's trails to improve their identity and accessibility. Provide secure bike parking at trailheads and key destinations.

815.16 Action PROS-3.4.D: Water Trails Continue to develop designated water trails and water access points in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers for travel by canoe, kayak, and other paddlecraft.

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)).