It's been awhile since I've done the Christmas Wish List, my once-anual list of things that would be great even if no one else thinks so, and I'm bringing it back again this year to focus on one trail system - the Anacostia Trails. The current trails run through DC and MD (sorry VA, you can sit this year out) and have connected the Anacostia Riverwalk to the Anacostia Tributary Trails System. While it utilizes the river and six tributaries, there are trails along other tributaries - like Long Branch and Watts Branch - that could be connected to the system and dozens of other tributaries that could be used to expand the system.
While some thought was put into where the current system is, it's often a matter of which streams got sewage pipes installed below them in the 70's and 80's; and maybe that's not the best method for designing a trail system; so this year we'll look at dozen of the best options - as judged by me - and where they could go.
I only considered tributaries that are named according to USGS and that connect to an existing section of the trail. I also assumed that tributaries that are buried will stay buried. This results in almost none of the DC or far north tributaries being chosen, even though destination density was also a factor. I also considered if extending a trail along a stream would open up other tributaries and trail possibilities.
I've been meaning to check with DDOT and PG to see what plans they have to improve the ECGW connection from NE DC to the Anacostia Trails. The on street route along Varnum and and Alison east of Eastern Ave could use improvement.
Posted by: Eric Gilliland | December 08, 2020 at 10:37 AM
Great idea - I support the return of CWL! I came across a report recently that recommended connecting the Paint Branch and Indian Creek trails along the Greenbelt Rd/University Ave corridor. I think it was from a study of the Greenbelt Rd corridor in the Beltway Plaza area.
Posted by: Purple Eagle | December 10, 2020 at 07:05 PM
This is the report I was talking about. Technically this would be a connection between corridor trails and does not follow one of the tributaries so I don't know if it fits in your framework. The report also suggests an overpass over Kenilworth Rd between Berwyn Heights and Greenbelt Park. "Creating a Future for
Greenbelt Road/MD-193" - https://washington.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2018/10/Greenbelt-TAP-Report-Final-100118.pdf
Posted by: Purple Eagle | December 10, 2020 at 07:16 PM