News Release

Share your ideas for the future of Great Falls, Maryland

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Christiana Hanson, 301-491-6265

Update to the Public Comment Period for Great Falls, Maryland 

The National Park Service (NPS) will reschedule the public comment period on the future of the Great Falls (Maryland) area of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park originally scheduled from February 3 to March 7, 2025. NPS is working to find new dates and will announce them as soon as they are scheduled.  


WILLIAMSPORT, Md. – The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to comment on their experiences and ideas for the future of the Great Falls (Maryland) area of Chesapeake & Canal National Historical Park. Everyone is invited to help shape the long-term vision for the area and provide feedback through March 7. 

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is in the middle of developing a plan that will outline how the park can facilitate opportunities for recreation and education and manage habitats to support healthy ecosystems. The park is seeking input on issues and opportunities to be addressed in the plan such as visitor activities, facilities, services as well as resource management, safety, traffic and congestion, and new uses for historic structures.

How to comment:
Public participation is vital to the planning process. There are multiple ways to provide comments about your experiences in the park and ideas for the future from February 3 to March 7. 

Attend the virtual public meeting: the NPS will host a digital meeting on February 3, 2025, from 6:30 to 8pm EST through Microsoft Teams.

To join: Join the meeting now 
Meeting ID: 236 796 986 652 
Passcode: wV2FE7 
Dial in by phone at [phone] 
Phone conference ID: 915 395 005#

Online: visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GreatFallsMarylandDevelopmentPlan 

By mail: make sure they are postmarked by March 7 to receive consideration. Mail comments to: 

Superintendent  
Attn: Great Falls (MD) Development Concept Plan  
National Park Service 
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park  
142 West Potomac Street  
Williamsport, MD 21795 

Your input will be used to inform the development of a plan for Great Falls, Maryland. 

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 identifying information from public review. 

-NPS- 

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures. 

Learn more at www.nps.gov/choh.