Anacostia River Park

Incorporate Ecological Sustainability into Park Planning

Findings

Urban parks not only provide recreation opportunities but also preserve important natural features and ecological functions. When managed to maintain and restore natural ecological communities, park can help protect the biological diversity of local plants and animals while serving as a place for recreation, nature study, and contemplation. Further, connected natural areas, parks, and other urban green spaces provide greater ecological value than isolated natural areas because they can provide pathways for wildlife to move within the city and provide stormwater management benefits, among other things.

Issue

There are existing federal and local methods for protecting ecological functions, but they are not always sufficient or effectively applied. We need to ensure ecological functions are preserved and in some cases restored, while still allowing our parks to serve people.

Planning Concepts

Proposed Actions

Urban parks not only provide recreation opportunities but also preserve important natural features and ecological functions. When managed with this in mind, parks can help protect the biological diversity of local plants and animals while serving as a place for recreation, nature study, and contemplation. Further, connected natural areas, parks, and other urban green spaces provide greater ecological value than isolated natural areas because they can provide pathways for wildlife to move within the city. They also can provide stormwater management benefits, among other things.

CapitalSpace has selected Oxon Run to serve as a case study. The Ecological Sustainability planning efforts will commence in Spring 2008. Please visit our website periodically for updates.