WASHINGTON - Georgetown Heritage and the National Park Service (NPS) shared updated draft concepts for the Georgetown Canal Plan at a public workshop yesterday evening. From inviting landscapes to creative spaces for educational programs and events, the draft concepts show a rejuvenated and reimagined first mile of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal) through Georgetown. The public is invited to review the concepts online and provide feedback through May 11.
Following a presentation, meeting participants viewed the draft concept posters up-close, asked questions and shared their vision for the C&O Canal. Highlights of the updated concepts include:
* Repair and rehabilitation of the canal’s historic structures and cultural landscape in Georgetown.
* Improved educational spaces, canal and lock models, a mule yard and a new visitor center.
* New spaces to relax, get active and socialize along the canal.
* Easier access for people with mobility challenges.
Participants were asked to consider the following questions as they viewed the draft concepts:
* Does this achieve the vision and goals?
* What are you most excited about?
* Did we miss an opportunity?
Since the last public comment period, the NPS and Georgetown Heritage developed an interpretation and education plan for the Georgetown section of the C&O Canal, which, in addition to prior public comments, has greatly informed the revised concepts. The NPS also completed the reconstruction and repair of Locks 3 and 4. Just this week, the canal was re-watered to test the new lock gates in preparation for the eventual return of a reproduction canal boat.
These concepts and the feedback received from the community will shape the plan/Environmental Assessment (plan/EA) to reimagine, restore and revitalize a mile-long section of the C&O Canal. The NPS and Georgetown Heritage are undertaking this project with support from the D.C. Office of Planning and the Georgetown BID.
How to Comment: Public comments will be accepted through May 11 via the NPS’s Planning, Environmental and Public Comments (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GeorgetownCanalPlan or by mail to:
Superintendent
C&O Canal National Historical Park Headquarters Office
Attention: Georgetown Canal Plan
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740
For more information about Georgetown Heritage and the NPS’s shared vision to restore, revitalize and reimagine the first mile of the Canal, visit www.georgetownheritage.org.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
