| CapitalSpace
Washington enjoys a remarkable wealth of parks—from the large forested areas of Rock Creek Park to small neighborhood parks, playgrounds and ball fields. Our city has more than 7,800 acres of public parks or open space, which is the most park land of any of the country's most populous cities.
To protect and enhance this great resource, the Office of Planning and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) have joined forces with the National Park Service and the National Capital Planning Commission to launch CapitalSpace. By working together, CapitalSpace partners will improve park management, eliminate duplicated efforts, and maximize resources. The partners are also collaborating closely with DC Public Schools (DCPS), the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the US Commission of Fine Arts.
The principal goals of CapitalSpace are to perform the following:
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Balance and reconcile intense demand for the parks and clarify appropriate uses
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Enhance the quality of the city’s parks and improve access to them
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Establish a coordinated, connected citywide system of parks
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Provide parks and open space that serve the needs of long-established neighborhoods as well as rapidly changing areas
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Attract scarce resources for wise investments to design, operate, and maintain the city’s parks and open space to the highest standards
The project consists of three phases: 1) a thorough needs assessment; 2) development of a strategic plan that responds to the assessment’s findings and builds on existing park management plans; and the final phase, slated for fall 2007, 3) development of an action agenda to accomplish the project goals. Below is a link to a presentation from CapitalSpace kick-off meeting on April 5, 2007.
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