Tips on How to Enjoy a Happy & Safe Fourth of July 2008 at the
George Washington Memorial Parkway
- NEW! There have been many changes to parking for the Fourth of July along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in 2008. This is due to the Humpback Bridge construction project, which is expected to continue until Spring 2010. As part of the project, the median, left-turn lane, and a designated crosswalk to/from the Columbia Island Marina to the Potomac River were removed, and construction fencing was posted from just south of the Humpback Bridge to near Memorial Bridge to separate construction activity from visitor use. As a result, this area is now unsafe for pedestrian use on the Fourth of July. No parking will be allowed along the sides of the George Washington Memorial Parkway since it would create unsafe access points and could lead to visitor injuries or deaths. This restriction will be strictly enforced, and violators will be towed. Free, but extremely limited parking, including handicapped spaces, will be allowed on a first-come, first-served basis at Theodore Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point, and Daingerfield Island. Note: Gravelly Point is the only parking location with large enough spaces for recreational vehicles and boat trailers. In addition, commercial and street parking may be available in nearby Rosslyn, Crystal City, and Alexandria.
- NEW! On the Fourth of July, no public parking will be available at the small lot on the Pentagon side of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove or in the main parking lot at Columbia Island Marina. Even the small pedestrian bridge from the Pentagon to Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove/Columbia Island will be closed on the holiday due to safety concerns in the Humpback Bridge construction zone.
- Call 703-697-6251 for information about public parking at the Pentagon.
- The National Park Service strongly recommends the use of METRO, as parking will be extremely limited this year due to the Humpback Bridge construction zone. The Rosslyn, Arlington National Cemetery and National Airport Metrorail stops will provide nearby access to different park locations. For schedules, contact METRO at 202-637-7000 or visit www.metroopensdoors.com.
- Once arriving at key METRO stops, visitors are encouraged to access the Mount Vernon Trail, a multi-use trail that extends along the majority of prime locations along the Potomac River in Virginia. To ensure everyone’s safety, visitors are asked to pay extra attention to trail rules during the busy holiday. All trail users must keep right, move off the pavement when stopping, leash pets, and obey all posted signs. Bicyclists must proceed along the trail with extreme caution at lower speeds to accommodate for the large numbers of park visitors expected on the holiday. In addition, bicyclists should keep to the right, pass on the left, travel in single file, dismount at road and driveway crossings, and give audible warnings before passing others on the trail.
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