Section 10-A813. PROS-3.2 RECLAIMING THE WATERFRONT

 

813.1The contrast between the city’s two waterfronts-the Potomac and the Anacostia-has been well documented. Virtually the entire Potomac shoreline north of Hains Point is publicly accessible, with such amenities as the C&O Canal towpath, Georgetown Waterfront Park, Thompson’s Boathouse, and Theodore Roosevelt Island. The shoreline affords stunning views of the city’s monuments and picturesque vistas across the river to Virginia. On the other hand, much of the 22 miles of shoreline along the Anacostia River is underutilized, unattractive, and inaccessible. 813.1

 

813.2Along the Potomac, the District’s priority is conserving the federal parklands, retaining public access, and improving access where it does not exist today. Along the Anacostia, the priority is to link more than a dozen disconnected open spaces to create a unified system of first-class parks, and to connect these parks to the neighborhoods they adjoin. Figure 8.3 provides an overview of park recommendations for the Anacostia waterfront. The Area Elements should be consulted for additional detail. 813.2

 

813.3Policy PROS-3.2.1: Protecting Waterfront Open Space

 

Recognize the importance of the city’s waterfronts for recreation, public access, ecological protection, and scenic beauty. 813.3

 

813.4Policy PROS-3.2.2: Connecting Neighborhoods to the Rivers

 

Develop open space linkages between the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and adjacent neighborhoods, using stream tributaries such as Watts Branch and Pope Branch as a framework for linear parks between the shoreline and nearby residential areas. 813.4

 

813.5Figure 8.3: Overview of Proposed Anacostia Waterfront Park Recommendations

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/8_parksrecreation.pdf.

 

813.6Policy PROS-3.2.3: Linkages Between the Waterfront and Nearby Neighborhoods

 

Establish stronger linkages between the waterfront and adjacent upland neighborhoods including Deanwood, Mayfair, Kenilworth-Parkside, River Terrace, Fairlawn, Twining, Kenilworth, Historic Anacostia, Carver- Langston, Kingman Park, Hill East, Capitol Hill, Barney Circle, and Southwest. Maximize public access to the waterfront from these areas through the development of a riverwalk and shoreline trail, improved public transportation, redesigned bridges and freeways, and the extension of neighborhood streets and avenues to the water’s edge. 813.6

 

813.7Policy PROS-3.2.4: Waterfront Visibility and Accessibility

 

Improve access to the shoreline parks from across the city, and reduce barriers to waterfront access created by railroads, freeways, and non-water dependent industrial uses. However, no freeway or highway removal shall be undertaken prior to the completion of an adequate and feasible alternative traffic plan that has been approved by the District government. 813.7

 

813.8Policy PROS-3.2.5: Water-Oriented Recreation

 

Provide for a variety of water-oriented activities, including fishing and boating, on the District’s rivers. Recognize both the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers as vital aquatic resources than can accommodate kayaking, canoeing, sculling, fishing, and other forms of water-oriented recreation. 813.8

 

813.9Policy PROS-3.2.6: Shoreline Access

 

On waterfront development sites under District jurisdiction, require public access to the shoreline unless precluded by safety or security considerations. 813.9

 

813.10Policy PROS-3.2.7: Waterfront Park Design

 

Require the design and planning of waterfront parks to maximize the scenic and recreational value of the rivers. Activities such as parking lots and park maintenance facilities should be located away from the water’s edge, and environmentally sensitive resources should be protected. 813.10

 

813.11Policy PROS-3.2.8: Upper Potomac Waterfront

 

Partner with the National Park Service and other federal agencies to conserve open space along the Potomac waterfront and to protect the wooded and scenic qualities of the Potomac Palisades and adjacent islands and shoreline, including the creation of the Georgetown Waterfront Park. 813.11

 

813.12Policy PROS-3.2.9: Lower Potomac Waterfront

 

Support additional public access to the Potomac waterfront from the mouth of the Anacostia River southward. While general access is currently restricted due to existing uses (such as Bolling Air Force Base), the District should identify long-term opportunities for shoreline open space and recreation, in the event that federal needs and use of this land change. 813.12

 

See also the Urban Design Element for additional policies and actions related to shoreline development and aesthetics and the Lower Anacostia Waterfront/Near Southwest Element for additional discussion of the planned shoreline parks.

 

813.13Action PROS-3.2.A: Anacostia River Park Improvements

 

Work collaboratively with the federal government, the private sector, community and non-profit groups, and the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation to implement the open space improvement plans of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. Planned improvements include:

 

a.A major destination park at Poplar Point;

 

b.Restored natural areas at Kingman and Heritage Islands;

 

c.New parks around RFK stadium;

 

d.Continuous bicycle and pedestrian trails along the waterfront and new pedestrian crossings on the upper reaches of the river;

 

e.New neighborhood parks and athletic fields within redeveloping areas along the waterfront, including the Southwest waterfront, Near Southeast, and Hill East; and

 

f.Enhancements to the existing waterfront parks. 813.13

 

For more details on these planned parks, see the Lower Anacostia Waterfront/Near Southwest Area Element and the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative Framework Plan.

 

813.14Action PROS-3.2.B: Signage and Branding

 

Work with the National Park Service to develop and implement a consistent system of signage and markers for the Anacostia and Potomac waterfronts. 813.14

 

813.15Action PROS-3.2.C: Anacostia River Boating

 

Develop additional marine facilities, including rowing centers, appropriately-scaled boathouses, boat slips, and piers along the banks of the Anacostia River as recommended in the AWI Framework Plan. 813.15

 

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.