Well, it’s happening - the House just gave control of RFK field to DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I’ve spoken with want a great park, like Brooklyn’s famous Prospect Park at the RFK site. A beautifully landscaped, passive park, with giant towering American Elms, undulating grassy meadows, a lake with paddle boats, and a cafe overlooking the lake. Maybe some new housing around the edges, but that’s all.

lol who have you talked to, people on your Hill block with exactly the same demographics and politics as you? I talk to plenty of people who want football to come back to RFK. personally I would like a stadium with housing and some public greenspace preserved. But not a “great park.” Kingsman Island is underutilized as is.

The toxic waste on Kingman Island is still being removed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/06/kingman-island-cleanup-anacostia/

For the health of all concerned, its a damn good thing that it remains "underutilized" until the cleanup is complete.

Exactly, and Kingman Island isn’t exactly an easily accessible urban park. Rock Creek park isn’t even that easily accessible except for the Zoo, and now ticketed entry is required. The National Mall, while a nice monumental park with some recreational opportunities, is not one of the great urban parks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I’ve spoken with want a great park, like Brooklyn’s famous Prospect Park at the RFK site. A beautifully landscaped, passive park, with giant towering American Elms, undulating grassy meadows, a lake with paddle boats, and a cafe overlooking the lake. Maybe some new housing around the edges, but that’s all.

lol who have you talked to, people on your Hill block with exactly the same demographics and politics as you? I talk to plenty of people who want football to come back to RFK. personally I would like a stadium with housing and some public greenspace preserved. But not a “great park.” Kingsman Island is underutilized as is.

The toxic waste on Kingman Island is still being removed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/06/kingman-island-cleanup-anacostia/

For the health of all concerned, its a damn good thing that it remains "underutilized" until the cleanup is complete.

Exactly, and Kingman Island isn’t exactly an easily accessible urban park. Rock Creek park isn’t even that easily accessible except for the Zoo, and now ticketed entry is required. The National Mall, while a nice monumental park with some recreational opportunities, is not one of the great urban parks.

Rock Creek Park is pretty easily accessible, no? How could it be more easily accessible? You can walk or drive into it from almost any direction and on multiple roads.

[Anonymous]

I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Accessible by foot from an area of moderate density (rowhouses, apartments, some commercial) with excellent public transit access (Metrorail, bus, etc.). Cars and freeway (or other pedestrian unfriendly access) don’t count towards accessibility.

Rock Creek Park has excellent hiking trails and some small picnic meadows but it is largely a wilderness park mostly accessible from the lowest density parts of the city. The portion of the park in Georgetown is a bit on the narrow side and borders the parkway where it is more of a commuter thruway. The most accessible portion of Rock Creek Park is the zoo itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I’ve spoken with want a great park, like Brooklyn’s famous Prospect Park at the RFK site. A beautifully landscaped, passive park, with giant towering American Elms, undulating grassy meadows, a lake with paddle boats, and a cafe overlooking the lake. Maybe some new housing around the edges, but that’s all.

lol who have you talked to, people on your Hill block with exactly the same demographics and politics as you? I talk to plenty of people who want football to come back to RFK. personally I would like a stadium with housing and some public greenspace preserved. But not a “great park.” Kingsman Island is underutilized as is.

The toxic waste on Kingman Island is still being removed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/06/kingman-island-cleanup-anacostia/

For the health of all concerned, its a damn good thing that it remains "underutilized" until the cleanup is complete.

Exactly, and Kingman Island isn’t exactly an easily accessible urban park. Rock Creek park isn’t even that easily accessible except for the Zoo, and now ticketed entry is required. The National Mall, while a nice monumental park with some recreational opportunities, is not one of the great urban parks.

What makes you think the RFK area will be a “great urban park” when Kingman Island is in basically the same location and is lightly trafficked? I’m all in favor of maintaining recreational facilities, bike paths, and green space there, but it’s a complete fantasy to believe it’s going to be the new Central Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Not to mention the Arboretum. The objective fact is that there is a LOT of parkland in that area. That said, I think the playing fields are a unique urban amenity that have proven very popular and should be maintained. DC needs more active recreation areas and sports facilities, not more “giant urban parks.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Accessible by foot from an area of moderate density (rowhouses, apartments, some commercial) with excellent public transit access (Metrorail, bus, etc.). Cars and freeway (or other pedestrian unfriendly access) don’t count towards accessibility.

Rock Creek Park has excellent hiking trails and some small picnic meadows but it is largely a wilderness park mostly accessible from the lowest density parts of the city. The portion of the park in Georgetown is a bit on the narrow side and borders the parkway where it is more of a commuter thruway. The most accessible portion of Rock Creek Park is the zoo itself.

Just put that fantasy away. A giant parcel of metro-accessible land is not fodder for some Olmstead fantasy. It will be mixed use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Accessible by foot from an area of moderate density (rowhouses, apartments, some commercial) with excellent public transit access (Metrorail, bus, etc.). Cars and freeway (or other pedestrian unfriendly access) don’t count towards accessibility.

Rock Creek Park has excellent hiking trails and some small picnic meadows but it is largely a wilderness park mostly accessible from the lowest density parts of the city. The portion of the park in Georgetown is a bit on the narrow side and borders the parkway where it is more of a commuter thruway. The most accessible portion of Rock Creek Park is the zoo itself.

Kingman Island is accessible by foot for anyone who lives in Hill East/Kingman Park (I do), and eventually will also be from East of the River when the pedestrian bridges get built. Also walkable from Stadium Armory.

I guess it depends where you live - Living in Kingman Park, Rock Creek park is a royal PITA to get to and I've been there all of 2 times in 15 years in this city. Slightly more for the zoo which is also a PITA for those of us in NE, like I loathe having to head there.

For those of us nearby to Kingman Island, it's fantastic and would be moreso if you count the East of the River people (many of whom also use Anacostia Park). The Anacostia trail access makes it super easy as well. Entire area with the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Kenilworth boathouse, Arboretum, Anacostia Park, can be developed as a point of attraction. Additional metro stop could be added at Oklahoma and Benning Road (which would also help access to the future DC Infrastructure Academy's (DCIA) training center at Springarn - that entire campus could be developed better as well).

There's a lot of potential in the area in general, but sure if you live in NW adjacent to Rock Creek Park, you don't give two hoots, just like I, living in NE, don't give two hoots about Rock Creek Park as it's not particularly accessible for me.

[Anonymous]

I think Kingman Island would be more utilized if they put in some playscape or exercise type stuff or really amenities of any kind. There's honestly just not that much to do there. It's not particularly nice hiking & there are only a few parts of it that have anything particular to look at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Kingman Island would be more utilized if they put in some playscape or exercise type stuff or really amenities of any kind. There's honestly just not that much to do there. It's not particularly nice hiking & there are only a few parts of it that have anything particular to look at.

There's both exercise stuff and a playground right next to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Kingman Island would be more utilized if they put in some playscape or exercise type stuff or really amenities of any kind. There's honestly just not that much to do there. It's not particularly nice hiking & there are only a few parts of it that have anything particular to look at.

More is/was planned including a lab classroom, canopy walk, pedestrian bridge to give access EOTR, there was a huge award granted by DC for development a few years ago, not sure the latest on where those projects stand.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tmp6iada28qmec3/05-12-21%20Kingman%20Island%20Education%20%26%20Programming%20Public%20Meeting%20Presentation.pdf?dl=0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Accessible by foot from an area of moderate density (rowhouses, apartments, some commercial) with excellent public transit access (Metrorail, bus, etc.). Cars and freeway (or other pedestrian unfriendly access) don’t count towards accessibility.

Rock Creek Park has excellent hiking trails and some small picnic meadows but it is largely a wilderness park mostly accessible from the lowest density parts of the city. The portion of the park in Georgetown is a bit on the narrow side and borders the parkway where it is more of a commuter thruway. The most accessible portion of Rock Creek Park is the zoo itself.

It's pretty easily accessible from directly east of the park in Ward 4, too, though, where it isn't that low-density.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Accessible by foot from an area of moderate density (rowhouses, apartments, some commercial) with excellent public transit access (Metrorail, bus, etc.). Cars and freeway (or other pedestrian unfriendly access) don’t count towards accessibility.

Rock Creek Park has excellent hiking trails and some small picnic meadows but it is largely a wilderness park mostly accessible from the lowest density parts of the city. The portion of the park in Georgetown is a bit on the narrow side and borders the parkway where it is more of a commuter thruway. The most accessible portion of Rock Creek Park is the zoo itself.

Just put that fantasy away. A giant parcel of metro-accessible land is not fodder for some Olmstead fantasy. It will be mixed use.

You mean like Central Park?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people I’ve spoken with want a great park, like Brooklyn’s famous Prospect Park at the RFK site. A beautifully landscaped, passive park, with giant towering American Elms, undulating grassy meadows, a lake with paddle boats, and a cafe overlooking the lake. Maybe some new housing around the edges, but that’s all.

lol who have you talked to, people on your Hill block with exactly the same demographics and politics as you? I talk to plenty of people who want football to come back to RFK. personally I would like a stadium with housing and some public greenspace preserved. But not a “great park.” Kingsman Island is underutilized as is.

The toxic waste on Kingman Island is still being removed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/06/kingman-island-cleanup-anacostia/

For the health of all concerned, its a damn good thing that it remains "underutilized" until the cleanup is complete.

Exactly, and Kingman Island isn’t exactly an easily accessible urban park. Rock Creek park isn’t even that easily accessible except for the Zoo, and now ticketed entry is required. The National Mall, while a nice monumental park with some recreational opportunities, is not one of the great urban parks.

Rock Creek Park is pretty easily accessible, no? How could it be more easily accessible? You can walk or drive into it from almost any direction and on multiple roads.

+1 I'mm in RCP every day. DH run in RCP 4x a week. It's packed with people. Could not be more accessible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you can drive to Kingman Island and park your car there, how else do you get to any other park trail? You can also easily bike to it via the Anacostia Riverwalk trail that goes by the Kenilworth Acquatic Garden, Boathouse, down to Navy Yard, etc.,

Unclear what more you want? It's easier to get to Kingman Island than some other parks in DC as the parking is far more plentiful by it and it's immediately accessible off of a protected bike trail.

Accessible by foot from an area of moderate density (rowhouses, apartments, some commercial) with excellent public transit access (Metrorail, bus, etc.). Cars and freeway (or other pedestrian unfriendly access) don’t count towards accessibility.

Rock Creek Park has excellent hiking trails and some small picnic meadows but it is largely a wilderness park mostly accessible from the lowest density parts of the city. The portion of the park in Georgetown is a bit on the narrow side and borders the parkway where it is more of a commuter thruway. The most accessible portion of Rock Creek Park is the zoo itself.

It's pretty easily accessible from directly east of the park in Ward 4, too, though, where it isn't that low-density.

+1 And all the apartments along Connecticut Ave. top to bottom, from Tuckerman to Missouri, lower 16th street, Columbia Heights, Kalorama are walkable to trails in Rock Creek.