Online petition to Complete and Connect Long Bridge Park

**PotomacCyclist** · 05-04-2012, 03:00 AM

This may have been posted before, but not recently. Arlington will be making decisions about the next phase of Long Bridge Park this summer. The preliminary plan is to build a multi-use aquatic/fitness center on the north end of the park area. The center will include an Olympic swimming pool, a splash pool for kids, strength training equipment and possibly other fitness features. That's the Complete part.

The Connect part is the proposed extension of the esplanade, from the existing park up to the north edge of the park, with a bike/pedestrian connection to the Mt. Vernon Trail. The bike bridge would offer a more direct route to the MVT for cyclists from Crystal City, Pentagon City and Columbia Pike. The connector would be located close to the 14th St. Bridge path (George Mason Bridge).

(There have also been proposals to build a new bike/ped bridge across the Potomac River. This bridge would connect the park with East Potomac Park in D.C., running next to the rail-only Long Bridge. According to the 14th St. Bridge Corridor plan, this bridge could include a connection to the MVT as well as to East Potomac Park. Possible long-term plans for Long Bridge include upgrades to make the bridge suitable for high-speed passenger rail, for trips from Union Station and heading south. However, the proposal for a new bike bridge is separate from the Long Bridge Park project.)

More support is needed in the form of signatures from Arlington residents. If you haven't done so already, consider signing the petition online:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/c...g-bridge-park/

For updates on the plans for LBP, you can visit the Friends of Long Bridge Park website: http://www.longbridgepark.org/

For an overview of the existing park and future plans, visit the Arlington County site for the park:

http://www.arlingtonva.us/Department...tOverview.aspx