URBANWATERS
FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP
Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
Anacostia Watershed (Washington,
D. C./Maryland); 2012 - Present
Summary
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail is a multi-use trail along the east
and west banks of the Anacostia River. Ultimately, the
Riverwalk will span 28 miles through the Washington, D.C.
region. The bicycle and pedestrian-friendly trail will connect 16
different communities from the National Mall to Bladensburg
Waterfront Park in Maryland. The Riverwalk will help conserve
land, build recreational opportunities, and spur economic
growth.
Federal Agency Partners include:
Department of Transportation (DOT), National Park Service (NPS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department
of the Interior (DOI), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative
Non-Federal Partners include:
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, America's Transportation Awards, Capital Riverfront BID, Prince George's County (MD), District of
Columbia
Goals
As the District of Columbia has grown, some neighborhoods have faced challenges gaining equitable access to the
waterfront. To help reverse this trend, the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative has brought together local and federal
partners to advance the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Area partners seek to:
•	Connect residents, visitors, and communities to the river as well as commercial and recreational destinations,
•	Provide a safe and convenient means for users to access the Anacostia Waterfront and Anacostia Park,
•	Educate and engage the community through educational signage, and
•	Uphold responsible development of the natural environment and restoration of the Anacostia watershed.
Major Actions to Date
Since 2012, the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail has dramatically improved recreational opportunities and supported
community engagement along the Anacostia. The hard work of various partners has resulted in the completion of:
•	19.5 out of 28 miles of paved bicycle and pedestrian-friendly trails,
•	Installation of two fiber-reinforced polymer weathering steel bridges to allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely
cross railroad tracks,
•	Connection of Anacostia residents to multiple historic and scenic landmarks, such as the National Arboretum,
Navy Yard, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, and Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, and
•	Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant trail design and construction.
Through this work, the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail has helped to reconnect many of the neighborhoods along the
Anacostia River corridor to their natural environment - and to each other. Additionally, the Riverwalk Trail's near
completion has driven additional investments in related projects that will improve the community and restore the
watershed.
Restoring Urban Waters, Revitalizing Communities
(Photo credit: Co pi to I Bike shore)

-------