The Anacostia River and its parks are part of a big, complex network of spaces managed by many different government agencies and with many different types of neighborhood contexts. (Learn more about the many plans and projects along the river here). No single agency is “in charge” of the river to make sure that the corridor is designed to not only support clean water and wildlife, but also to improve the quality of life of Ward 7 and 8 residents. Many different organizations actively work to improve one or more aspects of the corridor, and the Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative serves to bring those many voices together. We are now working to create a shared policy agenda that will serve to inform decision-makers about our collective priorities for the Anacostia River Corridor.
A Living Document
This collective set of policy and project priorities is intended to serve as a “living” document. Reviewed and updated annually, it will be focused on efforts that members of the Collaborative are actively working on, not just policies on an advocacy “wish list.”
Equity First
The Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative is specifically committed to maximizing the value of public spaces along the Anacostia River to residents of Ward 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia, recognizing that many residents of the Anacostia River Corridor have long been separated from the opportunities and benefits that a healthy river and vibrant park system could provide them. Our member organizations commit to meaningfully engaging with residents to create and curate the contents of our shared vision, and we seek to achieve environmental justice and social equity through our work.
Get Involved
If you would like to participate in the creation of this book, please join us for an upcoming meeting or event in your neighborhood. You can also fill out the comment box at the bottom of this page to provide suggestions that will be shared with the member organizations of the Collaborative.
Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle
Most people barely give a thought to an empty plastic bottle before they toss it. But what they don’t know is that behind that bottle lurk hidden hazards, from the bottle’s origins as fossil fuel to its disposal as waste or litter.
Our Vision Principles
We have identified the following core principles to guide our collective vision and efforts to create a thriving, equitable Anacostia River Corridor.
1) Arts & Culture
We celebrate the culture and history of Anacostia River communities.
We prioritize local artists and their work.
We promote the Anacostia River as a destination.
2) Environment & Health
Understanding that our “environment” includes our neighborhoods, buildings and communities as much as it means green spaces along the river, we work toward clean, healthy and stable interconnected ecosystems.
We believe that children in Wards 7 and 8 should become the next generation of community and environmental stewards.
We anticipate changes to the climate and acknowledge the need to build community capacity to prevent, withstand, recover from and adapt to changes, shocks and stressors.
3) Equitable Neighborhood Development
We pursue community-led, equitable redevelopment of the neighborhoods within the Anacostia River Corridor.
We prioritize local residents when considering the benefits of development and improvements within the Anacostia River corridor.
We seek to capture and direct the increase in value of land along the Anacostia River Corridor towards long-time residents, renters and people of color.
4) Equitable Economic Development
We commit to hiring residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8 in our own organizations and we advocate that investment in the Anacostia River corridor should lead to jobs for people who live nearby
We prioritize empowering young adults through our own programs and advocate for robust pipelines of education, training and employment for all young people in Ward 7 and Ward 8
We prioritize small businesses and businesses led by people of color
5) Programming, Outreach & Events
We commit to meaningfully engaging residents of the Anacostia River Corridor in our programs, recognizing that many stressed communities face challenges that may require us to modify our outreach and to work hard to build long-term, trusting relationships.
We understand that social, emotional, physical and spiritual connections to the Anacostia River and its parks can lead to improvements in social, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing for users.
We work toward a fully activated Anacostia riverfront with diverse and numerous ongoing programs and events that are effectively advertised to residents and visitors.
6) Transportation & Access
We prioritize equitable access to the river and its parks for residents of the Anacostia River Corridor.
We prioritize the interconnection of walking, bicycling, transit, ridesharing, driving and boating routes throughout the Corridor.
We prioritize sustainable transportation options and green transportation infrastructure.
Share Your Thoughts
Please use this “suggestion box” to share any ideas with the Collaborative as it works to create it’s shared policy agenda. You can also attend a Collaborative meeting in person.