Environmental Assessment around Long Bridge Park

Long Bridge Park (formerly the North Tract Park) will be a new park located north of Crystal City, between the railroad tracks and I-395. Among the bike facilities the park will feature are a broad, half-mile long, raised walkway, known as the Esplanade along the railroad tracks, a trail along Old Jefferson Davis Highway and - eventually - a bridge over the GW Parkway connecting to the Mt. Vernon Trail.

The Park Service is inviting the public to help develop the Environmental Assessment around the Long Bridge Park area, including the Mt. Vernon Trail. Needless to say, a high cyclist turn out would be good.

Community members are asked to share their insight on how Arlington County's development of Long Bridge Park will have an impact on recreational uses on National Park Service land at Gravelly Point, Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary and the Mount Vernon Trail. Proposed alternatives will include suggestions on how to reduce conflicts between user groups at Gravelly Point and opportunities for public education at Gravelly Point and Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary as well as potential connections between George Washington Memorial Parkway lands and Arlington County's Long Bridge Park.

The purpose of the Environmental Assessment is to plan for seamless and comprehensive visitor experiences via trail connections and additional improvements (including parking, sidewalks, multi-use trails, interpretation/public education, and natural and cultural awareness).

Individuals can comment in several ways during a 30-day public comment period from November 12 through December 12, 2008. Comments will be accepted electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/gwmp or in writing to Dottie Marshall, Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101.

In addition, the NPS will hold a public scoping meeting on Wednesday, November 12, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Indigo Landing, Charleston Room, 1 Marina Drive, adjacent to the Washington Sailing Marina, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Comments

[Michael]

Any updates on this project?