Seamless System of Parks in Washington, D.C.

A Draft Proposal to Create a Seamless System of Parks in Washington, D.C.
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster, NPS-NCR
April 4, 2003

On March 4, 2003 Terry Carlstrom, Glenn Eugster, and Patrick Gregerson of NPS met with Neil Allen of the District, Steve Coleman of Washington Parks & People and Destry Jarvis of Outdoor Recreation & Park Services, to discuss current and future collaboration between the District and the NPS for the planning, management and use of City and National parks within the District. Following the meeting, additional discussions were held, with input from Michael Lucy of the District, to further develop this draft proposal.

The goals of the proposed partnership include:

Improve efficiency and quality of management of our operations.
Improve quality of services to the residents/ visitors.
Improve communication.
Demonstrate the seamless system approach to parks, open space and recreation areas.

The proposed priority tasks proposed for future collaboration include:

Make Watts Branch a “Seamless Park System Demonstration Project”

The project would be a partnership between DC, NPS and Washington Parks & People. It’s purpose is to demonstrate ways to erase park boundary-lines in order to improve park and recreation management and engage community leaders and residents in restoration, maintenance, volunteerism, friends-raising, fundraising, and stewardship.

Apply to joint presentation at the National Partnership Conference in Los Angeles, CA in November 2003.

The presentation would feature a panel on Watts Branch, Casey Trees, Geographic Information Systems, the Greater Washington National Parks Fund, and other park, open space and recreation area efforts within the District of Columbia at the National Partnership Conference.

Regularly exchange information, reports and studies.
Agree to routinely share various reports, studies and other information between NPS, the District and Washington Parks & People.

4. Use Geographic Information System (GIS) information to assess opportunities for collaboration.

Use existing NPS and DC GIS information to overlay DC and NPS parks to identify and assess opportunities to collaborate.

Discuss Casey Trees inventory.

Discuss current and future tree inventory, maintenance and planting efforts.


Communicate regularly with each other and the DC community.
Hold periodic “ Washington, D.C. Park Forum”, brown-bag
lunch meetings, to share relevant information, discuss issues and opportunities, and discuss the status of this effort.

Jointly work together on periodic events to build
awareness of park resources and programs, and engage a broad cross section of the community, and outside volunteers, in park activities.