The Montgomery County Department of Parks and Planning has reviewed the CCCT's plan to build a trail rest area and plaza at recently liberated land near River Road along the Capital Crescent Trail and has decided the project has merit.
Under the plan, the CCCT would take the lead in managing construction, and would contribute up to $75,000. The Parks Department will contribute plantings and construction services. The Citizens Coordinating Committee of Friendship Heights (CCCFH), the Washington Episcopal School, and individuals will also be contributing to this community effort.
The "North Plaza" will include two curved concrete seating walls covered with stone veneer, one on each side of the asphalt Trail at the base of the bridge ramp over River Road. A steel Pergola, composed of five vertical posts and attached horizontal beam, secured behind the western seating wall, will symbolize a Gateway to River Road. This Gateway feature will also help demarcate the Plaza area. Also on the western side packed earth with sand and gravel and a curved pathway marked with stone pavers will be bordered by grass. The pathway will include LED lighting built-into the path itself. This pathway will be built over the area formerly used for parking and that space will require remediation prior to building the pathway. The eastern side of the Trail will feature grass and a stone paver walkway. Along the pathways on both sides, will be an alee of trees, including existing trees plus Crepe Myrtles to match the ones at the north end of the paved Trail in Bethesda. Boulder bollards and other seating, bike racks, two earth-mound Turtle sculptures, up to four Cherry Trees, a Kiosk/Mapcase, and a water fountain are also part of the overall plan for this Plaza.
The "North Plaza" will include two curved concrete seating walls covered with stone veneer, one on each side of the asphalt Trail at the base of the bridge ramp over River Road. A steel Pergola, composed of five vertical posts and attached horizontal beam, secured behind the western seating wall, will symbolize a Gateway to River Road. This Gateway feature will also help demarcate the Plaza area. Also on the western side packed earth with sand and gravel and a curved pathway marked with stone pavers will be bordered by grass. The pathway will include LED lighting built-into the path itself. This pathway will be built over the area formerly used for parking and that space will require remediation prior to building the pathway. The eastern side of the Trail will feature grass and a stone paver walkway. Along the pathways on both sides, will be an alee of trees, including existing trees plus Crepe Myrtles to match the ones at the north end of the paved Trail in Bethesda. Boulder bollards and other seating, bike racks, two earth-mound Turtle sculptures, up to four Cherry Trees, a Kiosk/Mapcase, and a water fountain are also part of the overall plan for this Plaza.
Wait, I may just be ignorant, but isn't CCT closed at dark? If so, why the LED lights?
Posted by: anonymous | August 12, 2009 at 12:51 PM
The Trail closes at dark except for commuters. How one proves they're a commuter, I don't know.
Posted by: Washcycle | August 12, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Rather than building this rest area, how about spending the money to keep the trail in good shape. Clear fallen trees, repair potholes, and clear the ice in the winter.
Posted by: SJE | August 12, 2009 at 05:51 PM
I'd love it if they spent the money for a cycling route around the I-495 interchange at river. (Macarthur does not count).
Posted by: ANon | August 13, 2009 at 10:43 AM