I recently took a ride on the completed, and not-so-completed parts of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail's Kenilworth section - Benning Road to Maryland. I didn't ride all of it, as some of it is not open (and I may have ridden parts that aren't open yet - shhhh). The photos are below.
Where the trail from Benning Road will eventually connect to Anacostia Ave NE.
The new Educare school will be the first building along the trail, which in this section appears to be on the west sidewalk.
Parkside Plaza, a New Park along Parkside Place (with bike parking). Not along the trail, but not far from it.
Anacostia Ave NE along the trail
New, wider sidewalk along Anacostia Ave NE
Along Anacostia Avenue, the sidewalk on the west side is a bit wider than on the east.
New playground in Parkside along the trail
It's unclear if the trail will go in front of these houses, or stay on Anacostia Avenue NE. If the latter, the PBL on Hayes doesn't go that far.
The trail follows a sidewalk built along the back of the new Parkside development. I wish they had planned the trail in conjunction with the lighting poles better.
Trail as sidewalk leading to Hayes Street NE
On Hayes, the trail becomes a real protected bikeway, but it isn't yet completed and work seems to have stopped, allowing debris and weeds to invade.
Not really safe for riding with these big holes in the pavement.
The trail will leave the PBL along Jay Street to cross Watts Branch via this trail and bridge
Just north of Deane Avenue, the newly paved trail picks up.
View of the football field from the trail
I wasn't the only person using the trail before it's opened.
Cars on the trail already?
View of the Arboretum from the trail
Near the river, the pavement stops; most likely because trucks are still accessing this part to build the bridge across the Nash Run/Kenilworth Marsh. This part passes through the woods and provides views of the river.
Bridge across Nash Run/Kenilworth Marsh, currently under construction.
A large bird (turkey buzzard?) that was guarding the bridge.
Art and bike parking near the pedestrian bridge over DC-295 at the corner of Hayes & Kenilworth Terrace.
That looks like it's going to be great, trail having to go around lightpoles notwithstanding. I love that the locals are using it already.
Reminds me, and slightly OT, that we rode 20+ or so miles of the Virginia Capital Trail recently, from the point where it is barricaded, like this one, south. It is a really nice trail. Looks like they'll have sections closer to Richmond open this fall. The Cycling World Championships are in Richmond September 19-27, and while down there, we hope to get another ride in.
Posted by: DE | July 28, 2015 at 08:10 AM
I'm a bit bummed that so much of the new trail is basically wider sidewalks. It doesn't looks like you should be riding a bicycle there, and the surface makes for a bumpy ride. This is clearly the result of a trail designed by people who don't ride bicycles.
Posted by: Uptowner | July 28, 2015 at 09:36 AM
The bird looks like a Wild Turkey to me. I saw several of them in BARC a few days ago.
Posted by: Purple Eagle | July 28, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Regarding the sidewalk section, I am also concerned that it is a circuitious route. It will be possible to cut off quite a bit of distance by going straight through form Hayes to Jay St on foot. The route would be via narrow paved paths and parking lots and there might not be curb cuts so cyclists might find it easier to go the long way.
You can see the newly paved section of the trail on Google maps.
Posted by: Purple Eagle | July 28, 2015 at 10:19 AM
On google maps you can also see the barges working on the foundation/pilings for the boardwalk section, and the staging area for construction near route 50. There is an update on the official trail page. Still says the trail will be finished next spring or "by this time next year".
Posted by: Purple Eagle | July 28, 2015 at 10:23 AM
Definitely not a turkey buzzard; it does look like a turkey. They do roost in trees toward dusk, but I've never seen one along the water like that.
Posted by: DE | July 28, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Thats a real turkey
Posted by: SJE | July 28, 2015 at 11:07 AM
I'm riding to Kenilworth Park on Thursday with my son for the free canoeing hosted by the Annacostia Watershed Society: https://www.anacostiaws.org/get-involved/recreation/paddling/paddle-night
Google maps would take me on circuitous route across the other side of the Metro tracks. Can I make it from the Osprey Bridge all the way north along this route with the 6 year old guy?
Posted by: Fong Fong | July 28, 2015 at 11:13 AM
Uptowner, the part of the trail that is wider sidewalk is only 5 blocks, I just took a lot of photos of that. The rest of the way from Benning to Maryland it is either trail or PBL. Where it is sidewalk, I kind of see the sidewalk as the place for pedestrian trail users, while cyclists will ride on Anacostia Avenue. Since there is no parking on Anacostia, there is plenty of room for a bike lane or cycletrack. But this project is not being designed/managed by the bike team [Sebastion/Goodno/etc..] so they may not even have this on their radar.
Also, I'm going to be riding the Virginia Capital Trail in August. I look forward to it.
Posted by: washcycle | July 28, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Fong Fong, I don't think you can get from Osprey Bridge to Parkside without crossing the Metro Tracks twice
Posted by: washcycle | July 28, 2015 at 11:20 AM
@Fong Fong - the only way to do it would be to follow the trail, which is not complete. I don't know if the section between Benning Rd and Anacostia Ave is passable - this would be the portion passing the old power plant. But WC's first photo shows that the trail is definitely closed where it emerges onto Anacostia Ave. So otherwise I think you would need to take Benning Rd across the tracks and come back across on Burroughs.
Posted by: Purple Eagle | July 28, 2015 at 04:01 PM
Right, just north of Benning Road is a very small "stream" so small that it doesn't show up on any maps or have a name - it's more like runoff from the power plant. Anyway, the bridge over that is still under construction.
If one really wanted to tresspass, you could ride north on Anacostia Ave NE, under the Metro tracks and then take the first left onto what appears to be a gravel track where the trail will be. I've not done that and wouldn't recommend it (but if you do, send photos).
Posted by: washcycle | July 28, 2015 at 09:21 PM