BeMoCo: Planning for a Better Bethesda and Montgomery County: From Green to Purple: The Changing Landscape of the Capital Crescent Trail

Before and After: Jones Mill Road Looking West

Almost a year ago I put together a short video - Trees Make a Difference - with many before and after photos about the importance of urban tree canopy.

In the video I only included the one photo of the Capital Crescent Trail - the photo seen below. There was no "before and after" to show then. I contrasted the photo with a nearby streetscape with few trees. I did not know at the time that the intersection I showed - Pearl Street and East West Highway - would actually end up being included as part of the route of the "interim trail" during construction of the Purple Line.

After word of the impending trail closure and clearcutting came late last summer, I took several videos along the trail with the notion that it can be too easy to forget lost urban green space once it is gone. Regardless of opinions about the Purple Line project itself, it is important to simply document and acknowledge the loss of urban green space to move toward any type of possible gain in the future. Between Wisconsin Ave and Connecticut Ave *alone* there will be 4.9 acres of forest lost and 3.3 acres of tree canopy that is not counted as forest lost. The area will go from having significant tree canopy to mostly catenary wire canopy.

Video: Green space of the trail with birdsong just outside the Wisconsin Ave tunnel.

Video: The trail approaching Jones Mill Road. The clearcutting has just started near here now.

This aerial view shows the distinct line of the canopied trail across the area "before." We will have to wait to see the "after" image....but for now - on the ground - it is just starting to become clear how this project will change the landscape.

The Limits of Disturbance maps show where forest and trees will be cleared - within the red dashed lines. The Xs represent specimen trees and the green dashed lines represent forest stands. Link: Limits of Disturbance Maps

Example of LOD Map - this section is between East West Hwy and Kentbury Drive

Example of LOD Map - this section is next to Chevy Chase Lake Drive

Example of LOD Map - this section is next to Jones Mill Road

Before and After (Fall 2017) Photos Along the Trail:

Before and After: Jones Mill Road Looking West (another view)

Before and After: Looking East Toward Connecticut Ave

Before and After: Connecticut Ave Looking West

Before and After: Behind homes on Edgevale Court

Before and After: Entrance at Kentbury Drive

Before and After: View of the trees over houses on Kentbury Drive

Before and After: Looking north east toward Columbia Country Club

Before and After: The trail behind homes on Kentbury Drive

Renderings of the completed Purple Line were released that show a canopied green oasis - but we know that will not be the reality in the end due to the presence of catenary wires, utilities, and limited re-planting of major and minor trees in many locations. When recently asked if there were any realistic renderings available for the trains and trail in Bethesda - the answer was no.

Rendering: Chevy Chase - Looking toward East West Hwy

Rendering: Heavily landscaped trail and tracks

Rendering: Trail crossing near Jones Bridge Road

The actual landscape plans have not been publicly released yet but there are many restrictions that impact what, where, and how trees can be replanted in the area. The forest mitigation requirement is occurring at two "forest banks" that consist of private existing forest land a considerable distance away in Barnesville and Accokeek Maryland. Looking at other light rail projects gives a clearer image of what to expect. Thus, it will be very important to work towards improvements and increases in nearby tree canopy and green space to replace *locally* what is being lost. And also important to make sure the new trail provides a quality experience for all users.