DC Bicycle Advisory Council Facilities Committee (BAC FAC) Minutes Dec.

2, 2013, 6PM Shaws Tavern, 540 Florida Ave. NW Attendees: Jeanie Osburn (BAC FAC Chair) Megan Kanagy (BAC) Randall Myers (BAC) Andrea Adleman (BAC Safety Chair) Ray Hayhurst Garrett Hennigan Topic: How to engage constructively with the National Park Service for bicycling projects that involve NPS property. We began the discussion by trying to prioritize the several projects in the region that involve NPS property. The list included: Metropolitan Branch Trail Oxon Run Memorial Bridge Rock Creek Park Trail Suitland Parkway Trail Connection to the NW Branch Trail (at Gallatin St. NE) WW Bridge connection 14th St Bridge connection Long Bridge

Some details of the discussion are covered below. However, during the discussions it became apparent that what the BAC really needs to do is to establish a constructive relationship with NPS, and the best way to do that would be to invite the Regional Director to a full BAC meeting. The initial meeting would be an introduction of BAC and NPS in which the BAC would describe its function and NPS would provide perspective on the Park Service and who best to engage for info on/assistance with particular projects. This was determined to be necessary, because no one at the meeting knew which Parks the above projects were in, how the Region is divided, or whom to contact regarding specific projects in specific Parks, and its unlikely that NPS knows much (if anything) about the BAC. In the January BAC meeting, the BAC FAC would like to discuss inviting the NPS Regional Director to a follow-up BAC meeting (regular or special). Details of discussion: During the meeting Megan indicated she had a map from 2005 that would associate a part of the park with each of the above projects, and she reported the following after the meeting: Rock Creek Park includes MBT the Rock Creek Park Trail, NW Branch Trail connection at Gallatin St.

National Capital Parks East includes Oxon Run, possibly Suitland Parkway Trail, NW Branch Trail connection along the Anacostia, WW Bridge National Mall and Memorial Parks - Memorial Bridge, 14th St Bridge. After the meeting, Andrea found from a Capitol Hill listserv that NPS routinely meets with citizens/stakeholders on issues involving the National Parks in the Region, so NPS is accustomed to interactions with the community. Andrea is a communications specialist in her job, and she suggested contacting Eleanor Holmes-Norton to ask about communications with NPS. That tactic was considered as an alternative if were not able to get communications started with NPS on our own. MBT - the ball appears to be in NPSs court. The MOU that NPS gave to DDOT was signed and returned to NPS in July. There was no DDOT representation at the meeting, so it was not clear whether DDOT has queried NPS on the status or what discussions are happening (or not). Utilizing space along the east side of the station would help with accessibility for people on the east side of the tracks. Oxon Run - only a small segment involves NPS, and theyre moving (though slowly). Access to the trail is difficult. Memorial Bridge - The Bridge is under design for replacing segments of it. None of the described plans contains mention of bicycle access. Randall sent a letter from the BAC in support of bicycle access on the bridge. Rock Creek Park Trail- is in bad shape, NPS was going to redo the trail a couple of years ago. Not clear what the hold-up is. Also access to the trail needs to be discussed (Broad Branch, etc). Suitland Trail- not only is the trail in bad shape, access to it is difficult/obscure/limited. DDOT needs to provide a good connection from the trail to S. Capitol St. Bridge and Trail Connection to NW Branch Trail - a small segment at Gallatin St. NE would connect nicely to the NW Branch Trail. There may be another connection to the NW Branch trail in another area along the Anacostia River. Woodrow Wilson Bridge - avoid the climb up Oxon Hill, particularly through Oxon Hill Farm Park. Hill by National Harbor is not as steep (but is long). 14th St. Bridge - need better connectivity to bridge from cycle track on 15th St (possibly along Ohio Dr SW between Maine Ave and the bridge trail), problem on the DC end with the light pole. Long Bridge- no real NPS component, but may have impact on the 14th St. Bridge. The Long Bridge is a railroad bridge, just downstream of the 14th St. Bridge. It is old and needs to be replaced. DDOT is in negotiation with CSX to put bicycling facilities on the railroad bridge replacement. If so, then bicyclists would be routed on the Long Bridge, and pedestrians on the 14th St. bridge.