NCPC To Hold Web Forum on Park Plan

On Thursday at 1pm, DCMud will host a live web dialogue with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) to discuss CapitalSpace, a partnership between the District, National Park Service, and NCPC to improve access to and the quality of DC's many local parks.

After a public comment period, NCPC adopted the CapitalSpace final plan on April 1st, and Commission staff is now working to implement the recommendations. NCPC's web panelist will be Julia Koster, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for NCPC and former development coordinator for the Governor's Office of Smart Growth in Maryland. DC's park system, uniquely challenged by overlapping governing bodies and high tourist traffic, not to mention neglect, now has plans for the first revamp in 40 years spearheaded by NCPC, the planning body for the federal region that oversees development on or near federal land and coordinates the area's capital improvement plan.

CapitalSpace sets out "six big ideas" that, in short, seek to better connect the parks with each other by "weaving a greenway" through the neighborhoods from park to park, improve the parks, and connect the parks with DC's underutilized rivers.

1. Linking the Fort Circle Parks: Creating a walkable green space with historic significance by connecting the series of defensive forts built to encircle DC during the Civil War - a function of the McMillan Commission of 1901 that set out to establish "Fort Drive," a green beltway around downtown DC. Only small sections of the green roadway were ever established.

2. Enhancing Center City Parks: With 30 percent of the city’s future housing growth and 70 percent of job growth likely to occur downtown and along the Anacostia River, downtown parks add vibrancy, but place high demand for active uses.

3. Transforming Small Parks: Of the city's parks, 67% are small - less than one acre. NCPC plans to refurbish small spaces greater recreation and for "cultural and historic commemoration."

4. Enhancing Urban Natural Area: On top of providing recreational areas, the parks serve an ecological function as well - providing "pathways for wildlife" to move around the city.

5. Improving Playfields: DC's various athletic fields, of which there are more than 1,000 throughout DC, will be accorded "the highest level of planning and upkeep." Designs include better lighting, synthetic turf, and an online system of registering and reserving fields.

6. Improving Public School Yards: A plan to improve the 30% of the District's playgrounds, fields and courts that are run by the DC Public Schools (DCPS).

Factors that influence regeneration of the parks: Some 68% of parkland in DC is controlled by the National Park Service; 35% of DC children between 10 and 17 are obese; DC has 12.9 acres of park per 1000 residents (7617 acres) - one of the highest in the nation; DC has .217 athletic fields per 1,000 residents - one of the lowest ratios on the east coast; the District Department of Transportation manages about 250 small parks in DC; Washington DC is expected to increase from in population from 600,000 to 700,000 by 2025.

Washington DC real estate development news

DC, Federal Agencies Hold Public Meeting to Improve DC Parks

On Tuesday, the National Capital Planning Commission and partners will present the draft version of the joint CapitalSpace plan to the public. A joint initiative of NCPC, the National Park Service, and the District of Columbia Office of Planning, Capital Space is designed to create a "high-quality," unified park system in Washington DC by improving, connecting and expanding DC's park systems.

Members of the trio will give a presentation on the "six big ideas" for the District: Linking Fort Circle Parks by way of walking trails to serve as a green beltway around the District, improving public schoolyards, enhancing existing parks with more active uses, improving playfields (particularly increasing regulation sized playing fields), transforming small urban parks, and enhancing "urban natural areas" - supporting biodiversity while serving people. The plan is currently in a 60-day public comment period that concludes December 8th. The event will take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Public Library.

Better DC Coming to a Park Near You

For every 1000 residents in DC there are 16 acres of park land; are you getting your 0.016 acres worth? As soon as October 1st, the public will have access to the CapitalSpace draft recommendations on parks, with 60 days for feedback. The CapitalSpace initiative is a collaboration of local and federal agencies whose goal is to ensure a thriving parks system in DC by facing challenges posed by maintenance, connectivity, accessibility and quality. If you ever wished there were more playing fields (Frisbee anyone?) or a more accessible path to a park near you, now's your chance. A final plan is expected in the beginning of 2010.

The CapitalSpace program began as a District initiative, with the District Office of Planning and Department of Parks and Recreation partnering with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), later adding the National Park Service (NPS), which manages 68% of District park land. The collaboration began in 2006. Julia Koster, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at NCPC, described the group as people from different organizations "who shared a passion [for] creating, beautiful accessible parks."

CapitalSpace set out "six big ideas" or areas where the organizations intend to cooperate to make changes and improvements. The six are:

1. Linking the Fort Circle Parks: Creating a walkable green space with historic significance by connecting the series of defensive Civil War forts located in upper NE DC and the southeastern part of the city across the Anacostia.

2. Enhancing Center City Parks: With 30 percent of the city’s future housing growth and 70 percent of job growth likely to occur downtown and along the Anacostia River, the parks in these areas add vibrancy and will be in high demand for active uses. Several case studies will provide the best practices to balance historic character with the demand for new and more active uses. Picture, if you will, picnic and live music in McPherson Square.

3. Transforming Small Parks: Of the city's parks, 67% are small (less than one acre) and, while some get a lot of use from neighborhoods, others have fallen into disrepair. Reinvigorating small green spaces with recreational and historic/cultural significance could provide a meaningful identity for the surrounding community.4. Enhancing Urban Natural Area: In addition to providing recreational areas, the parks protect natural features and ecological functions. Current standards are not always sufficient or well enforced. The plan would redouble efforts to repair and improve the natural benefits of parks.

5. Improving Playfields: While Washington has over 1,000 fields, playgrounds and courts, the expected population growth will mean even more demand for the limited fields available. Currently there are 2.17 fields (including soccer, football, baseball and softball) per 10,000 residents. DC compares poorly to other cities - Boston, Philadelphia and even Baltimore average 3.84 fields per 10,000 residents. The plan will improve current fields and may identify one or more locations to create complexes of regulation size fields in the city.

6. Improving Public School Yards: DC Public Schools (DCPS) run 30% of the city's fields, playground and courts. Hours are inconsistent, and, with school closures, the community is losing acreage. The partnership suggests working together to extend hours of operation, provide safer access to facilities and improve quality.

It is still unclear how the various plans will be funded and in what order of priority. Tammy Stidham, Regional GIS Coordinator for the NPS, said there is no collective pot of money because of issues with mixing state and federal funds. But the group hopes to determine funding on a case-by-case basis to see where jurisdictions overlap and create a division of responsibilities.

Images by EDAW AECOM provided courtesy of the National Capital Planning Commission.