BIG plans… 1000 miles big
Do you have a favorite trail near your neighborhood? Beauties like the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Metropolitan Branch Trail, Custis Trail, Capital Crescent Trail, and more provide opportunities for a refreshing walk, run, or ride away from traffic. For me as WABA’s Trails Coalition Manger, seeing the joy on someone’s face when they discover a new trail connection never gets old….which is why, together with 7500 WABA members, we’re going to keep improving and expanding our region’s trails in 2023.
We’ve seen the benefits trails bring to our communities. They make it easy to access active transportation options, lead to reduced carbon emissions, and bring support to businesses. And where else is there space for streams of families on cargo bikes, little ones joyfully scootering along, and other folks commuting, exercising, and enjoying time with friends…all at the same time?
As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one thing that could be better than a beloved neighborhood trail: a seamless network of nearly 1,000 miles of wide, smooth, well-maintained trails—connecting every neighborhood across our region— for people of all ages and abilities. While one trail is an opportunity, this trails network? It’s going to be a transformation.
When complete, the Capital Trail Network will connect DC, Virginia, and Maryland with 990 miles of trails for walking, biking, jogging, scooting, and playing. To make it happen, WABA and our partners in the Capital Trails Coalition are organizing to complete connections between trail segments, improve and maintain trails you already know and love, and build new trails:
- A wider Washington & Old Dominion trail through Arlington, with space for even more people to enjoy.
- A new bike and pedestrian bridge from the Mount Vernon Trail into DC.
- A connection between Oxon Run in Prince George’s County to Anacostia Park…leading right into the heart of DC on the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.
Your support for WABA means the Capital Trails Network is becoming a new kind of green highway system, dedicated to bicyclists and pedestrians, making it possible to travel from one corner of our region to the other without a car. Thank you! Now, let’s get these trails built.