Jack Koczela: Visualizing a regional trail network

A new map released this month by the Capital Trails Coalition demonstrates how the Washington metropolitan area’s trails can connect all parts of the region to one another. These largely off-road trails make it possible for pedestrians, cyclists, recreational users and commuters alike to travel throughout the region in a safe, healthy and convenient manner.

The map we’ve created features existing and planned trails in the District; in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland; and in Fairfax and Arlington counties and the city of Alexandria in Virginia. The region currently has 436 miles of trails, with 302 miles of planned trails in the works. Once finished, the planned trails will close gaps in the regional network and connect smaller trails to high-capacity routes, including the Metropolitan Branch, Capital Crescent and Anacostia River trails in DC. The diagrammatic map captures a massive vision of the Capital Trails Coalition across the six jurisdictions — prioritizing connectivity for people who walk and bike, and enhancing the quality of life throughout the region.

The Capital Trails Coalition’s mission is to create a world-class network of multi-use trails that are equitably distributed throughout the metropolitan region. Our broad coalition — a collaboration of over 60 organizational members — includes the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and various business-improvement districts and citizen groups. The National Park Service and all of the regional transportation departments are advisory members.

“Our region is well-known for transportation corridors like our interstate highway and Metrorail systems, but what might be lesser known is the high-quality trail network that spans the region,” said Capital Trails Coalition coordinator Katie Harris. “The coalition’s map is a vision of how we can change the way we think about transportation in the region.”

More than two years of planning and consultation with regional stakeholders and community members went into the development of the map. “The map shows a new vision for the region,” said Galin Brooks, vice president of planning and economic development for the NoMa Business Improvement District, a member of our coalition. “As the coalition’s work continues and more planned trail segments are completed, our region will benefit from better, healthier transportation options.”

The sheer scale of what we call the Capital Trails Network will transform the way we view transportation equity and trail development in the future. We are confident that this connected regional trail network will transform public life by providing healthy, low-stress access to open space and reliable transportation for people of all ages and abilities.

To create the trail network, our coalition consulted the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and all of the local jurisdictions in the region to identify existing trails, trails that are being constructed, and trails that are listed in local plans and have been approved by the locally elected officials. We then worked with these communities to further refine the list, making sure that all planned trails are feasible and likely to come to fruition.

An important piece of the regional transportation puzzle, this map encompasses the entire region. Though previous maps have been helpful for learning about local trails, they all end at the jurisdictional boundaries, making it difficult to determine whether there are connections from one jurisdiction to the next. So how does a cyclist travel from Montgomery County into DC or Prince George’s County? Where is the connection between Alexandria and Arlington? How do users get across various bridges to DC? And what is the quality of those connections?

The new map will help answer those questions about DC and all its suburban communities. While this is not a navigational map, it is still a critical tool in getting people out of their cars and onto the trail network. We expect it to be a vital resource for commuters who currently rely on cars or public transit to get to work because they aren’t sure how a trail that starts in their suburban neighborhood connects with one in DC. Weekend recreational users of trails can also make good use of the map.

While it’s extensive, the Capital Trails Network shown on the new map does not include every trail in the region. Why? The network is being built to a higher standard than many existing trails in the area. Put simply, many local trails weren’t included in the network because they didn’t meet the criteria for high-quality trails. Those factors include width, hard surfaces, consistent design standards that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, and connections to other trails or destinations.

The Capital Trails Network is a key step to actualizing a truly regional walking and bicycling network. While each trail is important, having them all in a comprehensive network that is greater than the sum of its parts will help support safe, healthy and equitable active transportation throughout the region.

Jack Koczela, a lifetime DC resident, chairs the Capital Trails Coalition and is a mayoral appointee to the District of Columbia’s Recreational Trail Advisory Committee, which he co-chairs.