There are 3.5 miles of the Capital Crescent Trail within Montgomery County along the 39.64-acre Capital Crescent Trail Special Park. The Capital Crescent Trail runs along the former Georgetown Branch Railway right-of-way and currently runs from downtown Bethesda to the DC Line. The Montgomery County government purchased this right-of-way in 1988 after it was abandoned through the use of rail banking. Following the acquisition of the land, the rail ties were removed, and the trail was paved. Montgomery Parks now manages the Capital Crescent Trail which is used by more than 650,000 people each year.
Project Description
The Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 Facility Plan will reimagine Montgomery County’s most popular paved trail. This planning project will include an existing conditions analysis that will survey and identify the location of signage, natural resources, amenities, areas of disturbance, ADA accessibility issues, and more. The public will have many opportunities to inform the development of a concept plan by providing input on design characteristics such as trail width, trail connectivity and access, and mode separation while also identifying areas of need, desired amenities, and more. The goal of this project is to plan and design a long-term vision for the Capital Crescent Trail informed by public engagement and trail design best practices.
Status/Project Update
Montgomery Parks hosted two public Listening Sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the study scope and goals, provide input on areas of the trail to focus on and to speak with Parks staff about the study. This public input along with an existing condition analysis and planning recommendations will be presented to the public this Spring.
February 2025 Update: Workers are currently conducting an engineering survey along the Capital Crescent Trail to collect detailed and accurate site information to show existing conditions such as the location of bridges, trees, utilities, trails, and other key features along the trail. This precise information is necessary to guide the ultimate design, permitting, and construction drawings for the renovation of the Capital Crescent Trail. This work is expected to continue through the spring.
Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 Facility Plan Calendar
| Dates | Events | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2023 | Listening Session #1: In-person – 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Somerset Elementary School – All Purpose Room 5811 Warwick Pl Chevy Chase, MD 20815 |
| November 8, 2023 | Listening Session #2: Virtual – 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Meeting recording |
| Spring – Fall 2024 | Existing Conditions Analysis and Planning Analysis | N/A |
| Winter / Spring 2025 | Engineering Survey Data Collection | |
| Spring 2025 | Planning Analysis Report Public Meeting | |
| Summer 2025 | Facility Plan Kick-Off Meeting |
Dates and times are subject to change.