I went by Jones Point Park last weekend and despite the unnecessary, unwelcoming and possibly unsafe bollards, the park itself is pretty fantastic and represents a greatly improved destination along the trail.
Instead of running up the north side of the bridge and then crossing over to the south side, the MVT now goes in a more gradual diagonal direction underneath the bridge. This should make for an easier ride for those who are just passing through. In addition the trail now has a separate pedestrian section along part of it.
The waterfront has been vastly improved. There are now two fishing piers that give great views of the river, and a small boat dock. They've also added playgrounds and a lot of parking (way more than I suspect they'll ever need).
They've also taken quite a few steps to capture the history of the area. Those of you who've done WAGBRAD (probably not happening this year, I'm sorry to say) may remember that you had to jump down over a wall and a long the river to see the boundary marker that designated the southernmost point of DC (before retrocession of Arlington and Alexandria, now the southernmost point is a short distance away and at the water). But they installed a viewing window that allows you to look down at it.
They also added boundary markers alongside all trails and paths showing the historical boundaries between DC, Maryland and Virginia back before the Civil War. Which makes me wonder, did Maryland lose territory because of retrocession (the area on the SE side of this stone)?
During WWI the area was a shipbuilding dry dock and they found and displayed an old rudder from a ship that was built there. They also made the extant dry dock run (or whatever it's called) more visible and prominent. If you go, check out the photo of what the site looked like then.
They should take down the MVT detour signs in Old Town Alexandria, since they aren't needed anymore (they threw me off when I saw them and I followed the detour as a result). Maybe they already have.
And maybe all that parking could be put to use as bike-commuter parking. Drive in halfway, park and ride the rest of the way along the trail. Maybe even pay a small fee for a permit to reduce abuse and provide money for trail enhancements.
Darn...I was down there on Saturday myself and was going to do a post as well. You beat me to it.
Posted by: Froggie | July 23, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Except for the bollards, they did a really nice job with the new park. I really like the separate pedestrian section on the trail. I was wondering the same thing about Maryland after seeing the boundary marker.
Posted by: Stephen | July 23, 2012 at 12:15 PM
The bike-commuter parking is a good idea.
Posted by: Arl | July 23, 2012 at 01:36 PM
Separate pedestrian lane is awesome. I wish they would widen and add this to the CCT.
Posted by: Sam | July 23, 2012 at 01:42 PM
I'd be surprised if they allowed bike commuter parking. The NPS already prohibits commuter parking in Belle Haven Park about 1 mile to the south, forcing bike commuters to park on the west side of the Parkway and cross the Parkway at grade during rush hour. There's also all kinds of auto traffic during the school year at the JPP access point on S. Royal Street from drop off line at St. Mary's School. It would take 15 minutes to drive to the JPP parking lot.
Posted by: Rootchopper | July 23, 2012 at 02:32 PM
It would be interesting if in Virginia they added little markings - like brass lines in the sidewalks - everywhere that showed the historical boundary of DC.
Posted by: washcycle | July 23, 2012 at 02:50 PM
I must admit for as much as I disagree with the whole bollard/TSA situation, the park is absolutely wonderful. It's really a nice place to ride and walk around. Plus, I can practice fly casting much more easily now since there are so many more access points to the water.
Posted by: TurbineBlade | July 23, 2012 at 04:18 PM
FWIW, here's a site with all the boundary stones on a Google map. Kinda cool. http://www.boundarystones.org/
Posted by: Stephen | July 23, 2012 at 09:29 PM
Wow, thats very classy. Nice job
Posted by: SJE | July 23, 2012 at 09:57 PM
How does the MVT tie into this park heading south? Do you just continue along Union St. Until it dead-ends intot he park?
Thanks for the great report.
Posted by: steve | July 24, 2012 at 07:06 AM
steve, basically yes. At the end of Union there is a trail connection that skirts the housing and river north of the park and then it joins the park.
Posted by: washcycle | July 24, 2012 at 07:16 AM
Nice Clash allusions.
Posted by: Chris Holben | July 24, 2012 at 08:21 AM
Whoops! You know I meant the Pistols! (Jenny Jones was stuck in my head).
Posted by: Chris Holben | July 24, 2012 at 08:23 AM
There is a new commemorative marker near the lighthouse that says:
Who Owns the River?
According to Lord Baltimore’s land grant from King Charles I in 1932, Maryland owns the River of Pattowmack… unto the further Bank of said River.” But with Virginia’s shoreline constantly shifting, how could the border be fixed? In 1929, a survey to establish the boundary placed 58 markers, including this one on Jones Point, helping to resolve almost three centuries of dispute. When Maryland ceded land to create the nation’s capital in 1788, the District of Columbia gained ownership of the river within its newly-created bounds.
Posted by: Jay | July 24, 2012 at 06:54 PM