Overview
(November 2, 2022, Washington, DC) – Steptoe clients, the People's Alliance for Rock Creek Park (PARC) and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) achieved a significant victory yesterday. The National Park Service (NPS) issued a final decision that will keep parts of Beach Drive open to pedestrian use 24/7, 365 days a year. This decision is the culmination of four decades of work by PARC on this issue.
Steptoe prepared comments that PARC submitted in response to NPS' initial proposed management plan. In light of those and other comments, NPS selected year-round pedestrian access over its original proposal limited to summer months. Notably, in adopting the year-round closures, NPS revised its original analysis, and instead relied on points raised in PARC's comments (among others).
The decision is a win for our clients and area residents who will enjoy the benefits of the closure, and according to NPS will benefit park resources. PARC's leader, Peter Harnik, is quoted in the Washington Post as stating, "We're ecstatic and gratified that this has finally come about."
The Steptoe team included Bill Hassler, Claire Schachter, and Micaela Hyams, and was assisted by Riley John, Magda Wielkopolska, and Jackie Crooks.