November 23, 2011

Pedestrian Bridge Connecting Yards Park With Diamond Teague Park Opens

Washington, DC, November 22, 2011 – Forest City Washington and the District of Columbia, officially cut the ribbon marking the opening of an important new waterfront pedestrian link between The Yards, Washington DC’s premier mixed-use development located near Nationals Park in the Capitol Riverfront, and Diamond Teague Park located just to its west.

Speakers at the event included D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Commander David Varner, Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Washington, USDOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari, George Hawkins, General Manager of DC Water; and Deborah Ratner Salzberg, president of Forest City Washington. As a part of the official ribbon cutting, the Racing Presidents from Nationals Park inaugurated the bridge, joining in the festivities by running the length of the bridge to be an unexpected part of the ribbon-cutting photos. Unfortunately, Teddy didn't win this time either.

The new 627-foot, waterfront pedestrian connector, which runs parallel to the riverfront, is a result of a successful partnership between Forest City Washington, the DC Government and DC Water. It is 20 feet wide and surfaced by boardwalk, reflective in design to the adjacent riverfront esplanade of The Yards Park.

“This bridge is the latest milestone in knitting together the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood by connecting The Yards Park with Diamond Teague Park and Nationals Park, said Deborah Ratner Salzberg, president, Forest City Washington. “It also provides the latest link in the ongoing development of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. It’s a wonderful neighborhood amenity for recreation and just enjoying the riverfront.”