Monday, July 9, 2012

public comment sought on Rosslyn boathouse

The National Park Service's George Washington Memorial Parkway is currently seeking public comment on non-motorized boathouse alternatives.  Two excellent alternatives place the non-motorized boathouse along the Rosslyn shore of the Potomac River. 

In addition to generally relevant comments, commenters are also asked to respond to the following two questions:
  1. If you intend to use such a facility, what would your requirements be?
  2. Do you have any concerns regarding the preliminary alternatives and proposed site locations presented?
You can also provide comments orally and ask questions at an open public meeting at Washington-Lee High School on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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Here are the Ode Street Tribune's official comments to the National Park Service:

Question 1: If you intend to use such a facility, what would your requirements be?

Rosslyn residents and Rosslyn's many and welcomed visitors will use the facility extensively.  Teamwork is important to the Rosslyn community.  So sport shells should favor pairs, quads, and eights over sculls.  For recreational use, kayaks and rowboats with comfortable seats for non-rowing passengers such as reporters would be good.  Given Rosslyn's strong cycling tradition, the facility should also offer pedal-powered paddlers.

Question 2: Do you have any concerns regarding the preliminary alternatives and proposed site locations presented?

Alternative 2, which places the facility closest to the center of Rosslyn and its many urban amenities, is the best. With the construction of a pedestrian skywalk connecting downtown Rosslyn to the shore near Roosevelt Island, the boathouse, Roosevelt Island, and the Rosslyn area will become a premiere site for exercise, recreation, and relaxation.

Additional comments

Alternatives 3 and 4 are too far from Rosslyn and would be far inferior locations. Alternative 1, which places the docks farther north on the Rosslyn shore of the Potomac, while much better than alternatives 3 and 4, doesn't best incorporate all the resources that Rosslyn can offer to facility visitors.  Combining alternatives 1 and 2 might help to encourage visitor circulation through a refurbished Gateway Park, up the monumental Lynn St., and back to the river on the pedestrian skywalk. With careful urban planning, that alternative might be better than alternative 2 alone.

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