/ Our River: The Anacostia /
Lessons From Ward 8 Helping The Healing With Nature by Bill Matuszeski
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here are some interesting developments in Ward 8 that will help in the restoration of the Anacostia River and other water bodies. But first some background. Ward 8 is the part of the city east of the Anacostia and south of Pennsylvania Avenue except for the part around Branch Avenue, which is in Ward 7. Most of Ward 8 drains into the Anacostia, but the southwest portion drains to the Potomac via Oxon Run. There are over 500 acres in forests, most in designated parklands, but very few trails. While these areas have some streams, when they enter built-up areas they usually join the heavy runoff from apartment complexes and parking lots, and discharge into sewer lines that empty into the two rivers. Compared to other parts of the City, Ward 8 has had little invested in tying its neighborhoods to its open spaces. Especially at this time of the year, that is evident by the enormous amount of litter that gathers along the edges of the woodlands, blowing in from the residential areas, thrown down by passersby or brought there and dumped. That and the absence of trails sends a strong message to residents that these green spaces are not welcoming. But that is about to change! Leading the effort to clean up and open up these open spaces is the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy led by Nathan Harrington and a small group of part-time staffers, including a group called the Park Stewards. They seek to en26
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Ward 8 Woods Trash Pick-up. Photo: Bill Matuszeski
gage youth groups, schools, churches and any other volunteers who wish to help clean up and open up the park areas with trails. Support for these efforts comes from a variety of places. The DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) funds the Park Stewards. The DC Department of Transportation is preparing to fund the repair and building of trails. The National Park Service owns and manages much of the open space and provides gloves and bags for clean-ups. Riverkeeper analyzes water
samples and provides technical support for reducing pollution. And George Washington University has an Environmental Justice Group that is preparing to study the streams of Ward 8 – taking water samples, studying erosion and providing recommendations for improvements. Many of these groups could do more if they could line up and focus funds on these emerging areas to support Ward 8 Woods and the surrounding communities that have been overlooked for many decades. Where that has happened in Ward 8 the results gain community support and use of the open spaces. Things are getting organized now by Ward 8 Woods for a lot more action along these lines. More funding from all sources will be needed. What are some of the places that call out for investment in community open space? One area where Ward 8 Woods is well along with the City is to plan a hiking trail in the tangled forests that wander along the north side of the Suitland Parkway. There is already a bike trail along the edge of the right-of–way from the Maryland line to Pomeroy Road; this would be a very different experience – an unpaved walking trail through hills and ravines well hidden back from the road. The two trails would make an almost six-mile loop. Many neighborhoods along trails would benefit and help keep the trash and debris under control; folks don’t dump where they think their neighbors want to enjoy nature.
