Section 10-A812. PROS-3.1 SUSTAINING AND ENHANCING THE FEDERAL OPEN SPACE SYSTEMS

 

812.1The National Mall and Environs

 

Although the District of Columbia does not have jurisdiction over the National Mall and the adjoining open spaces in East and West Potomac Parks, these are arguably the most visible and high profile parklands in the city. They project the image of Washington to the world and attract millions of visitors each year. The future of the landscaped glades between the US Capitol and the Potomac River is the focus of national debate as the need for new monuments and memorials is balanced against the need to retain the Mall’s historic form, sight lines, and open quality. The Mall serves both the local community and the national community. It is integral to Washington’s history. The National Capital Planning Commission has prepared several important plans on these issues, including the Legacy Plan and the Museums and Memorials Master Plan. Both plans seek to preserve the historic proportions of the Mall, recognize its multiple functions as a passive and active open space, and expand the open space network to new areas along South Capitol Street and the Anacostia River. 812.1

 

812.2Several planning initiatives for the National Mall have been completed or are underway. In 2000, the National Park Service completed a Comprehensive Design Plan for the White House and President’s Park. The approved plan provides the management framework and flexibility needed to manage and protect the site for the presidency, and the public. In addition, in 2004, the non-profit organization National Coalition to Save Our Mall launched the National Mall Third Century Initiative (3C Initiative). The mission of the 3C Initiative is to renew the vitality of the Mall through creative public use, wise stewardship for the next century, and appropriate expansion. The National Park Service, as managers of the National Mall, will be preparing a plan for its future over the next three years. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts is also involved in planning and design decisions on the Mall. 812.2

 

812.3While all of these initiatives are critical, they have yet to provide a shared long-range vision for the multiple open spaces of the monumental core. An overall coordinated plan that looks at the future of this open space network, addressing issues such as transportation and Mall expansion, is still needed. 812.3

 

812.4Rock Creek Park

 

Rock Creek Park is the largest contiguous open space within the District, encompassing over 2,000 acres along the Rock Creek Valley and its tributary streams. The park’s scenic landscapes provide a respite from the cityscape of Washington. Each year, more than two million people visit the park to hike, picnic, play, and enjoy its rugged beauty. More than 12 million people a year use the park roads for commuting or scenic driving. In 2005, the National Park Service completed a General Management Plan for the largest unit of Rock Creek Park, providing guidance on how to best protect natural resources and manage visitor services. The goals of the GMP are to preserve and perpetuate the ecology of the Rock Creek Valley, protect archaeological and historic resources, provide for education and exploration, and create opportunities for recreation that are compatible with the park’s natural and cultural setting. The GMP itself includes management “prescriptions” that will guide future land use decisions and issues regarding road closures and traffic management. 812.4

 

812.5The Fort Circle Parks

 

At the start of the Civil War in 1861, a series of fortifications was built around Washington to protect the nation’s capital from a Confederate invasion. Among the fortifications were Fort Stevens-site of an 1864 battle; Fort Reno-the highest point in the District of Columbia; and Fort Dupont-the largest park east of the Anacostia River. After the Civil War, most of the 68 forts and 93 batteries were dismantled and the land was returned to its pre-war owners. Before they disappeared completely, a number of fort sites were purchased by the federal government and developed as parkland. An envisioned Fort Circle greenbelt featured prominently in the McMillan Plan of 1901, and with the advent of the automobile was proposed for a 23-mile circumferential parkway around the growing city (the Fort Drive). 812.5

 

The future of the landscaped glades between the US Capitol and the Potomac River is the focus of national debate as the need for new monuments and memorials is balanced against the need to retain the Mall’s historic form, sight lines, and open quality.

 

812.6The National Park Service prepared a General Management Plan (GMP) for the Fort Circle Parks in 2003. The GMP’s primary objectives include protection of ecological and historical values while accommodating local recreational interests. The GMP seeks to remedy issues such as the deteriorated state of the parks’ historical earthworks, concerns about visitor safety, and the lack of visitor services and interpretive facilities. Among the planned improvements are a new hiking trail linking the forts through existing parkland, new recreational features, coordinated signage, and new public access points. 812.6

 

812.7The Potomac and Anacostia Parklands

 

The two rivers and their associated tributaries such as Watts Branch and Pope Branch provide an important link in the District’s open space network. They provide protection for sensitive natural habitat, scenic beauty, and water oriented recreation for District residents and visitors. Washington’s waterfront open spaces actually encompass an area larger than all of Rock Creek Park. However, a lack of continuity between the waterfront parks hinders their ability to function as an open space “network”. Many of the parks are disconnected or are cut off from one another by highways, railroads, industry, and other barriers. As part of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative Plan, a riverwalk linking the individual Anacostia Parks into a system has been proposed and partially funded. There is also pending federal legislation that would transfer key waterfront open space lands from the federal to District governments. 812.7

 

812.8Policies for the waterfront are presented in the Section 3.2 of this Element. 812.8

 

812.9Policy PROS-3.1.1: Monumental Core

 

Preserve the integrity of the National Mall open space, and advocate for federal plans and programs that protect this area from inappropriate or excessive development. 812.9

 

812.10Policy PROS-3.1.2: East and West Potomac Parks

 

Work with the federal government to protect and enhance the great open spaces of the monumental core beyond the National Mall, such as Hains Point and the Tidal Basin parklands. Consistent with the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan, support the use of these areas for outdoor cultural events and celebrations, and for recreational activities and amenities that serve District residents and visitors. Planning for these areas should provide opportunities to expand the National Mall and better integrate East Potomac Park with the Southwest Waterfront across the Washington Channel. 812.10

 

812.11Policy PROS-3.1.3: Rock Creek Park

 

Ensure that the District’s land use and transportation decisions support the conservation of Rock Creek Park as a national scenic resource. Actively participate in discussions about the management of park resources, including roadways, recreational facilities, and environmental quality. 812.11

 

812.12Policy PROS-3.1.4: Tributary Parks

 

Maintain the scenic open space qualities and ecology of the city’s stream valley parks, including tributaries to the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers as well as tributaries to Rock Creek. Ensure that development adjacent to stream valley corridor parks does not compromise visual and ecological values and access to natural and forested areas. 812.12

 

See the Environmental Protection Element for additional policies on stream protection.

 

812.13Policy PROS-3.1.5: Fort Circle Parks

 

Protect and enhance the Fort Circle Parks as an integrated network of permanent open spaces that connect neighborhoods, provide scenic beauty and historic interest, and offer a variety of recreational activities. Recognize these parks as an important city and national resource. Prevent District and federal actions that would harm historic and ecological resources in the Fort Circle Parks, and strongly support actions that would improve their maintenance, connectivity, visibility, accessibility, and safety. 812.13

 

812.14Policy PROS-3.1.6: Compatibility with Parklands

 

Maintain and design public and private development adjacent to the edges of open spaces and parks to be compatible with these parklands and improve park access and safety. 812.14

 

812.15Action PROS-3.1.A: Participation in Federal Planning Park Efforts

 

Support and participate in National Park Service efforts to update the 1976 Master Plan for the National Mall, NCPC’s upcoming National Capital Framework Plan, and other federal initiatives to plan for the Mall in the 21st Century. Encourage citizen participation in these efforts. 812.15

 

812.16Action PROS-3.1.B: Monument and Memorial Siting

 

Actively participate with the appropriate federal agencies, commissions, and others in discussions and decisions on the siting of new monuments, memorials, and other commemorative works on open spaces within the District of Columbia. 812.16

 

812.17Action PROS-3.1.C: Implementation of General Management Plans

 

Support federal efforts to implement the Comprehensive Design Plan for the White House and President’s Park and the General Management Plans for Rock Creek Park and the Fort Circle Parks (Civil War Defenses of Washington). 812.17

 

812.18Action PROS-3.1.D: Fort Circle Park Trail

 

Use land acquisition and/or easements to complete the Fort Circle Park Trail; and to provide additional Fort Circle Park signage and historic markers. 812.18

 

812.19Action PROS-3.1.E: Fort Circle Partnerships

 

Actively participate in interjurisdictional and public/private partnerships to protect, enhance, restore and complete the Fort Circle Parks. 812.19

 

812.20Action PROS-3.1.F: Park Land Transfers

 

In cooperation with appropriate federal agencies, identify park resources in federal ownership that could potentially be transferred to the District, such as Meridian Hill Park. 812.20

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.