Panda trip! Can you still cross Rock Creek Parkway?

[Overtone]

Hi all- We're planning to ride our tandem to the zoo this Sunday to see the pandas. Haven't biked into the zoo in a long time. The map shows a bike rack in the park near the East entrance. Given the reconstruction of the Rock Creek Park trail, is it still feasible to sneak across the parkway at or near the Harvard St bridge to access the Zoo's pedestrian entrance from the trail?

We're going early on Sunday so I expect plenty of gaps in the traffic. Thanks for any insights or alternate route suggestions. We're coming from Alexandria, making it a lot easier to get to Harvard St than to climb the hill and fight the traffic to the Connecticut Ave zoo entrance.

Regards,
John

PS in case you didn't know, the giant pandas are going back to China in December. Presumably the Chinese govt will wait a few years then offer a new pair as part of a diplomatic rapproachment. With a potential long govt shutdown closing the zoo in October, November might get super crowded at the enclosure... best to go in September if you want to see them.

[DCAKen]

It's easy to cross the parkway there to get up to the Harvard Street bridge. There is a crosswalk with a HAWK signal, but the sidewalk up to Harvard Street does have a sharp bend which could be difficult with a tandem.

[Overtone]

Super, thank you!

[viennabiker]

Super, thank you!

I agree it's an easy crossing. Fairly recently, I entered the zoo at Harvard Street so I know it's open--but now only to pedestrians. I don't know if bicycles count. If so, there is supposed to be a bike rack nearby.

Remember to reserve a zoo pass in advance.

[arlcxrider]

Nitpicky comment: it's Beach Drive you're crossing, not "the parkway," in case some readers were confused about the location being discussed.