The DC Chapter of the Sierra Club has endorsed the DC portion of the proposed Capital Trails Network. If fully implemented in DC, the plan would add 43 miles of trails to the existing 68 trail miles.
The network consists of a system of bike and pedestrian trails located throughout metropolitan Washington. It was developed by the Capital Trails Coalition, a metropolitan-wide organization whose members include government agencies, businesses, civic groups and advocacy organizations, including the Sierra Club.
Currently, the region has 469 miles of existing trails. The network proposal calls for an additional 408 miles of trails across the region.
The chapter's full statement of support for the DC portion of the network is below:
The Washington DC Chapter of Sierra Club is the largest environmental membership organization in DC with over 3,000 dues-paying members. Our mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the natural environment.
The DC Chapter endorses the portion of the Capital Trails Coalition’s (CTC) proposed Capital Trails Network within the District of Columbia. Currently, 68.2 miles of the trail network in DC is complete. However, 43.2 miles of trails within DC are still unfinished. Many of these planned trails are in underserved communities. We urge that the necessary funds be committed to make these trails a reality by 2025, as well as rehabilitate some existing trails in the network. We recommend final path alignments, design and construction be executed in an environmentally sensitive way.
The CTC surveyed over 800 DC area residents and found that nearly 75% said that trails and open space were important to them. Indeed, the benefits of trails are many. They provide places for people to exercise. They are important transportation corridors between home, work, and other destinations. These corridors, in turn, support local businesses, improve public health, and fight global warming.
The CTC participated in a two-year study that quantified the annual impact of a completed Capital Trails Network. It found the completed network would result in 49 million fewer vehicle miles, decrease CO2 emissions by 19,580 metric tons, generate $1.02 billion in economic investment, and reduce health costs by $517 million.
The benefits of a completed trail network are many and are needed now. And add to this list one more reason to support this network: there is simply nothing more refreshing and enjoyable than being on a good trail on a beautiful day.