Take Action! How to Become a Bridge Park Champion

Since 2012, thousands of District residents, stakeholders and colleagues have advocated for the 11th Street Bridge Park with ANC Commissioners, funders and elected officials. It is because of this involvement that we have made such progress. As we continue to build more supporters for this new icon in the nation’s capital, we pulled together updates and talking points to share with neighbors, co-workers and at community meetings across the city. Thank you for helping stitch together the city!

Pre-Construction has Begun! In December, 2016, we started pre-construction work in collaboration with the District Department of Transportation and our design team at OMA+OLIN. This is a HUGE step forward! Pre-construction is expected to take approximately a year and a half followed by another 18 months of construction. The earliest the park could open is late 2019.

Financial Support: To date we have raised over $15.5 million to support the Bridge Park’s capital campaign and on-going programming. This includes $11.45 million committed by the city and additional dollars from private individuals, corporations and foundations.

More than a Park: We need to make sure we are investing in this new park AND the adjacent neighborhoods so that the park will continuously benefit nearby residents. In 2015 we created an Equitable Development Plan with recommendations that include the formation of a Community Land Trust, a Home Buyers Club and workforce development strategies. Last year, LISC DC launched their Elevating Equity Initiative – a $50 million commitment to the communities within 1 mile of the future Bridge Park.

Community-Driven Programming: We are hard at work delivering programming that honors District residents, the river and our shared rich history. This includes our annual Anacostia River Festival, Bridge Park Plots, Mobile Porch and art installations on both sides of the river.

Working together, we’ll build a new icon in the Nation’s Capital that puts inclusivity and equity first, provides meaningful and rich cultural programming to District residents, and improves the lives of residents in some of our most underserved communities.

Thank you sharing our collective success with residents across the District and beyond. Thank you for being a Bridge Park Champion!