Reply to why are cars allowed in the National Arbortetum? Why? Why? WHYYYY?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's a mile one way from the visitor center parking lot to the Asian Collection, so you're at 2 miles round trip  with a hill before you even step foot into the paths. There are plenty of people who cannot walk that, and it's not because they are lazy AF. [/quote]

it’s half that distance from the NY Avenue lot, and you could leave open the lots on the eastern end too, just restrict driving to between the lots. A trolley would make the rest accessible. Also I question how much value there is seeing everything from a car anyway - seems better to park and have thoughtfully designed accessible paths for walkers, wheelchairs, etc. [/quote]

Have you actually been to the Arboretum? Real question.

No one views the arboretum from their car. None of the features are readily accessible by car. And no one views the Asian Collection by car in particular! It is on a steep hill and you climb down a path with lots of steps toward the Anacostia. A major reason people (including me) usually drive there is that once you are there, there is tons of walking involved. Walking from the NY Ave lot is feasible but will easily eat up a lot of your visit time walking along access roads with no sidewalk.

There are 3-4 areas in the park where people usually park: Visitors Center, Capitol Columns, Asian Collection, NY Ave. in my experience, cyclist most often use NY Ave because it’s not that close to anything and is kind of ugly, but it’s a great place to load and unload bikes. Most people park at the Visitors Center because from there you can walk most places in the park, plus it is useful to park near restrooms. The Asian Collection is rarely busy because people don’t know about it — I’ve never seen the lot full, even during high season. It’s not uncommon for me to just drive straight there if I’m visiting during a busy time with my kid, because we can happily spend 60-90 minutes over there and then get in the car and leave while avoiding the crowds. She is way too young to walk there from either NY Ave or the Visitors Center, walk around, and then walk back. I am certain the same is true for many older people as well.

I do think it’s silly when people park at the Capitol Columns because they are walkable from the Visitors Center which has a much larger lot and is more central. But tourists often do it. Shrug. It really does not account for much traffic except during the high season. I’d be fine with them getting rid of that lot, but I actually think they use it when people rent it out for events. [/quote]

“No one”?  I’ve actually viewed the arboretum by car with two elderly relatives. For one of them, it was one of her last outings.  She was born in DC at a time when she was legally not allowed in many places that are now common tourist attractions, and she wanted to enjoy some of the beautiful parts of the city while she still could.  Those of you blithely going on about what “everyone “ could do well to look beyond your own experiences— which are hardly universal. [/quote]

It would still be accessible if cars were limited. It would actually be more accessible because you could use the paved roads for wheelchairs and other mobility impairments. It’s all about balance. Nobody demands we pave the beach so the disabled can access the whole thing.

the fact is, it’s a poorly thought out design that should be reconsidered. the primary purpose for cars to enter the arboretum is to park, and this could be done in a much less disruptive way. [/quote]

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