Plans For a Bridge to Park Transformation Are Underway in D.C.

Share On Social!

An old freeway/bridge located near the nation’s capital will soon be transformed into Washington D.C.’s first elevated park. Once complete, the park will connect Capital Hill to the city’s Anacostia neighborhood and offer visitors a safe place to play and be healthy.

The Washington Post reports that four design teams will have the opportunity to submit drawings of the proposed park by September 2014. If all goes as planned, the 11th Street Recreation Bridge project should be complete by 2018.

According to the official 11th Street Bridge project website, 76,000 residents who live within two miles of the bridge will reap the benefits of this $35 million private project, which is the result of a collaboration between non-profit Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC, the District Government, and several other supporters.

Plans for the park include a built environment designed to inspire healthy living, physical activity programming such as yoga and Zumba, a farmers market and an urban garden. This especially important for the area, because according to the Post, residents living east of the Anacostia river have some of the highest obesity rates.

Construction of this urban park is just one of several recent projects across the country aimed at transforming the built environment into a recreational space that promotes healthy living. The Washington Post reports that more and more planners are beginning to become aware of the health benefits that come with designing a built environment conducive to active living. Projects such as these have the potential to not only help create a healthier community, but also to create new jobs and stimulate economic activity.

Learn why Latino kids need more projects like the 11th Street Bridge Park here.

Find out more about the 11th Street Bridge Park and similar initiatives by visiting the links below:
Washington Post: City planners are increasingly aware of health benefits of clean, living landscapes

Greater greater Washington: Design could make or break the 11th Street Bridge Park

11th Street Bridge Park