Anacostia River trail to Kenilworth Trail Bridge

[Raymo853]

After a long period with no visible progress, I was surprised to see the bridge up. This bridge is the missing piece needed to connect the Anacostia River trail to the Kennilworth trail that goes up to Bladensburg. The install is not complete but it is nice to see.

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[eminva]

@bobco85 146464 wrote:

Does anyone have pics of the wavy sections that have islands?

I figure the wavy sections help highlight that it is a recreational trail for people to meander through and enjoy at their own pace as opposed to the other extreme which would be building only straight bridges for the shortest distance so people can go as far and fast as possible.

I rode through on Saturday and I agree. They’ve also included a lot of thoughtful landscaping with freshly planted native saplings along this section of the trail. This is the part of the trail that winds through Kenilworth Park, and I believe it links up with a nature trail from Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (if I’m reading the map correctly).

I failed to take photos of this particular section, alas.

Over the course of several months, I’ve ridden the entire Anacostia Riverfront and Tributary Trail Network — I’d estimate 70 to 80 miles now! — so if it would be helpful, I can create a post with maps and photos. It’s a tremendous asset to our region and I continue to be amazed at how much less use it gets than the overstressed W&OD. Please comment below if this would be useful.

And with the completion of this segment, hopefully it will encourage more bicycle commuters into the city from that portion of DC and PG county.

Liz

[KLizotte]

Liz, are there any sections of the Tributary Trail network that you don’t recommend riding, say for safety or trail condition reasons?

[DrP]

For those of us in VA who haven’t been to the Anacostia River Trail, what is the best way to get there? I have never biked to the waterfront before, although I do go to Hains Point. It isn’t entirely clear on Google maps the best, i.e., safest way there – it looks broken into pieces until east of the Navy yard and I haven’t a clue the best way to get there. It looks like a nice change to routes I do regularly (Rock Creek Park, Capital Crescent Trail, C&O canal, MVT, W&OD).

(Similarly, getting to the MBT).

thanks

[Rootchopper]

Take Maine Ave to M Street. M to 11th. Right on 11th Street bike lane over Anacostia River. Right on Good Hope at traffic light. ART is along the river at the T. Take a right and ride all the way to Bladensburg.

Once you cross the river in Bladensburg you can take a left and head toward Mt Rainier or a right. Right takes you upriver where you will see a split for the Northwest and Northeast Branch Trails. NW goes to College Park (and beyond). NE goes to Hyattsville (and beyond).

I find the old trails up near Bladensburg confusing but I ride them very infrequently. I suggest getting yourself a WABA DC bike map. Words and pix from yesterday’s meander at the links below. (I rode to the trail via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Not recommended unless you are a billy goat.)

https://rootchopper.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/anacostia-bikeabout/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rootchopper/albums/72157671016971123

[KLizotte]

@DrP 146498 wrote:

For those of us in VA who haven’t been to the Anacostia River Trail, what is the best way to get there? I have never biked to the waterfront before, although I do go to Hains Point. It isn’t entirely clear on Google maps the best, i.e., safest way there – it looks broken into pieces until east of the Navy yard and I haven’t a clue the best way to get there. It looks like a nice change to routes I do regularly (Rock Creek Park, Capital Crescent Trail, C&O canal, MVT, W&OD).

(Similarly, getting to the MBT).

thanks

Here is a link to the route I took yesterday via Case Bridge and picking up the trail near National’s baseball stadium.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11249469

Please note that I did a little detour to HUD by (7th Street by L’Enfant Plaza) so ignore that little squiggle.

[Cangrande]

@KLizotte 146509 wrote:

Here is a link to the route I took yesterday via Case Bridge and picking up the trail near National’s baseball stadium.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/11249469

Please note that I did a little detour to HUD by (7th Street by L’Enfant Plaza) so ignore that little squiggle.

Is there any problem with biking on the Riverwalk Trail through the Navy Yard? Are restrictions still in place and, if so, are they ever enforced?

[KLizotte]

@Cangrande 146512 wrote:

Is there any problem with biking on the Riverwalk Trail through the Navy Yard? Are restrictions still in place and, if so, are they ever enforced?

Technically you are not allowed to *ride* your bike through that section but you can walk it. Most everyone rides thru it though (I’ve never seen any enforcement) but be *very* careful if you do since there are lots of tire wide grooves that can take you down. I suffered a broken wrist earlier this year for that very reason.

[eminva]

@KLizotte 146496 wrote:

Liz, are there any sections of the Tributary Trail network that you don’t recommend riding, say for safety or trail condition reasons?

Hi Kathy — I felt safe on all sections of the trail. That said, I haven’t lived near that area in over nine years, so I’m not necessarily in the know about possible trouble spots.

The trail condition is pretty good, although there are spots where the pavement is damaged by roots, etc. The Northwest Branch Trail has a stream crossing somewhere near the northern terminus. In several areas, work was being done to preserve wetlands and corduroy roads were in place for heavy vehicles. I think they totally blocked the Sligo Creek Trail north of University Boulevard (don’t know if that work is done now — that was back in May). For the same reason, there was a bridge from Lake Artemesia to the Indian Creek Trail that was challenging (I think I walked my bike over it). Otherwise, it was relatively easy to ride around the construction.

Liz

[DrP]

Thank you both Rootchopper and Klizotte for your suggested routes to get to the trail. From other messages on the forum, some of those streets do not sound all that pleasant, but maybe on a Sunday they are fine. I’ll get over there sometime.

[KLizotte]

@DrP 146705 wrote:

Thank you both Rootchopper and Klizotte for your suggested routes to get to the trail. From other messages on the forum, some of those streets do not sound all that pleasant, but maybe on a Sunday they are fine. I’ll get over there sometime.

The streets I take through DC mostly have bike trails and weekends are rather quiet unless there is a game going on Nats Park. You’ll be fine.

[bobco85]

It took an 80 degree (F) day in mid-October to get me to checking out the Anacostia River Trail’s new connection, but I finally made it. I am very pleased with the result. The connection makes it easy to access the Anacostia Tributary Trail System and to make many more loops around the area. I think it’s really that good (I will probably make a video of it, too).

Here are some pics I took this evening on my ride there:

(top left) before the connection, this was the end of the Bladensburg Waterfront Park section of the Anacostia River Trail; (top right) the new connection featuring new pavement and paint; (bottom left) trail information signage probably some of the best in the greater DC metropolitan area; (bottom right) this is the way to block vehicles from entering a trail without having to use bollards
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(top) I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a protected two-way bike lane that was part of the trail; (bottom) a short quarter mile section of the trail is on-street with sharrows, the paint is partially reflective as it brightens with the light coming from my handlebar light
[ATTACH=CONFIG]12596[/ATTACH]

(top) most of the bridges are wooden and seem awfully similar to those on the MVT, but this one just north of US-50 was wood with concrete; (bottom) the southernmost bridge of the new connection with Benning Rd and the Metro blue/orange/silver line bridges in view
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[KLizotte]

It’s a great trail, especially since it connects to the Maryland trail network. Unfortunately they did use wood for some of the bridges/boardwalks. One of the boardwalks is particularly long. Too bad they didn’t use the concrete material for all of the bridges/boardwalks.

Anyone checking out the trail should take the short unpaved path to Kennilworth Aquatic Gardens. Free and definitely worth visiting.

[Rod Smith]

@Cangrande 146512 wrote:

Is there any problem with biking on the Riverwalk Trail through the Navy Yard? Are restrictions still in place and, if so, are they ever enforced?

There is a gate that is sometimes closed and locked.

[Author]

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