Capital Crescent Trail

Capital Crescent Trail
Environmental Protection Agency · Public domain · source
Name	Capital Crescent Trail
Location	Maryland, United States
Length	11 mi (18 km)
Elevation	150 ft (46 m)
Established	1994

Capital Crescent Trail. The Capital Crescent Trail is a 11-mile (18 km) multi-use trail that runs from Georgetown in Washington, D.C. to Silver Spring, Maryland, passing through Bethesda, Maryland and Chevy Chase, Maryland. It is a popular route for commuting and recreation, used by thousands of people every day, including cyclists, joggers, and hikers who often visit nearby Rock Creek Park and National Zoo. The trail is managed by the National Park Service and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the District Department of Transportation.

Overview

The Capital Crescent Trail is a rail trail that follows the former route of the Georgetown Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which was abandoned in the 1980s. The trail is paved and relatively flat, making it accessible to users of all ages and abilities, including those who visit nearby Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and United States National Arboretum. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes, including urban, suburban, and natural areas, such as Rock Creek and the Anacostia River watershed, which are also home to the Anacostia Watershed Society and the Rock Creek Conservancy. The trail is also close to several Metrorail stations, including Bethesda Station and Silver Spring Station, which are operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

History

The Capital Crescent Trail was first proposed in the 1980s, as a way to convert the abandoned Georgetown Branch rail line into a multi-use trail. The trail was built in several phases, with the first section opening in 1994, and the final section completing in 2008, with funding from the Federal Highway Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation. The trail has been improved and expanded over the years, with the addition of new amenities such as bike lanes and pedestrian bridges, designed by AECOM and constructed by Clark Construction Group. The trail has also been recognized for its historical significance, as it follows the route of the former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which was an important transportation corridor during the American Civil War and the Industrial Revolution, and is now part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

Route

The Capital Crescent Trail begins in Georgetown, where it connects to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, a National Historic Landmark that runs along the Potomac River and is managed by the National Park Service. The trail then passes through Bethesda, Maryland, where it intersects with the Bethesda Trolley Trail, a trail that runs along the former route of the Washington and Old Dominion Railway, which is now part of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park. The trail continues through Chevy Chase, Maryland, where it passes by the Chevy Chase Club, a private country club that was founded in 1892, and the National Institutes of Health, a medical research facility that is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The trail then enters Silver Spring, Maryland, where it connects to the Metrorail system and the Sligo Creek Trail, a trail that runs along Sligo Creek and is managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Usage

The Capital Crescent Trail is a popular route for commuting and recreation, with thousands of users every day, including employees of nearby institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, which are located in White Oak, Maryland. The trail is also used by students from nearby universities such as the University of Maryland, College Park and American University, which are located in College Park, Maryland and Washington, D.C., respectively. The trail is also a popular route for tourists who want to visit nearby attractions such as the National Mall and the Smithsonian Institution, which are located in Washington, D.C. and are managed by the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution, respectively.

Management_and_Maintenance

The Capital Crescent Trail is managed by the National Park Service and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the District Department of Transportation. The trail is maintained by a combination of volunteers and professional staff, who work to keep the trail clean and safe for users, with support from organizations such as the Capital Crescent Trail Coalition and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. The trail is also subject to regular inspections and repairs, to ensure that it remains in good condition, with funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Connections_and_Extensions

The Capital Crescent Trail is part of a larger network of trails and bike lanes in the Washington, D.C. area, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath and the Metrorail system, which are managed by the National Park Service and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, respectively. The trail is also connected to several other trails and parks in the area, including Rock Creek Park and the Anacostia River watershed, which are managed by the National Park Service and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, respectively. There are also plans to extend the trail in the future, including a proposed extension to Gaithersburg, Maryland, which would connect the trail to the Gaithersburg Community Museum and the Lakeforest Mall, with funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Category:Transportation in Washington, D.C.