NPS invites feedback on Anacostia Management Plan

Date: February 1, 2017
Contact: Emily Linroth, 202-619-7156

Plan will help shape direction of Anacostia Park for next 15-20 years

The National Park Service (NPS) invites your feedback on the Anacostia Management Plan, a framework to manage the park’s natural and cultural resources and shape how people experience and enjoy the park for the next 15-20 years.

“The National Park Service envisions Anacostia Park and the Anacostia River as sources of economic, health and environmental benefits, as well as cornerstones of community pride,” Superintendent Tara Morrison said. “The Anacostia Management Plan, with support from our many partners and park neighbors, will help us bring this vision to life.”

The NPS wants to enhance opportunities for people to have fun and learn while creating and expanding healthy natural areas. The alternatives in the plan guide park management and describe zones based on what people would expect to see, do or experience there. The zones are:

• Natural Resource Recreation Zone

• Park Administration / Operations Zone

• Community Activities and Special Events Zone

• Organized Sport and Recreation Zone

• Golf Course Zone

• Special Permit Zone

We looked at four alternatives that described different locations and sizes for the zones. We selected alternative # 3 as the preferred alternative because we believe it would best further our goals of healthy ecosystems, rich cultural preservation and great experiences for people. Alternative #3 provides the most balanced combination of recreation areas and natural areas, which supports the greatest variety of visitor activities and recreational opportunities while still protecting the park’s nature and history.

Because the plan views the park holistically, it will help managers consider the entire park, rather than just certain sections, as they devise strategies for park operations, resource protection, restoration and partnerships.

This plan lays out the big-picture direction for the park. It does not describe how particular programs or projects should be implemented. The park’s Foundation Document, which was completed in September 2016, identifies additional plans. The Foundation Document describes what is most important about the park and affirms its core mission and significance, key resources and values, and important themes and stories. Read an overview of the Foundation Document.

People play a crucial role—we want to hear what you think about the options presented in the plan. Please visit go.nps.gov/AnacostiaFuture to see the plan and share your feedback between now and March 18, 2017. The preferred method of receiving comments is online, however comments also may be sent to:

Tammy Stidham
National Park Service
National Capital Region
Attention: Anacostia Management Plan
1100 Ohio Drive SW
Washington, DC 20242

Please Note: Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.