The new ramp to the Crystal City Connector to the Mount Vernon Trail opened this week. The ramp was constructed as part of the redevelopment of the Crystal City Waterpark.

The new ramp is slightly wider, has a gentler slope and improved sightlines. The concrete surface also contains a lane divider markings as well as slow and yield markings where the ramp will connect to a new VRE platform entrance. Bicycle markings provide a visual indicator on the ramp of the presence of people riding bikes in an area that has high bike and pedestrian use. Construction is still ongoing in the park, which will open later this year new facilities including a trail head facility with restrooms.

Trail users may recall that the old ramp was made of brick pavers and included a sharp curve on a steep grade.

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail needs your help to continue improving the trail. Sign up for a volunteer trail improvement event or Donate to Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail to help us purchase tools and supplies.

Fencing has gone up around the Crystal City Water Park as work begins to renovate the park. The Crystal City Connector to access the Mount Vernon Trail remains open, but please exercise extra caution as you pass by the work zone.

The redevelopment promises some upgraded amenities for trail users. A new trailhead facility that includes restrooms be built. Other changes include several vendor kiosks, a platform for performers, more shaded grassy areas and a bar built over the top of the existing water fountain. These changes are likely to make the water park an appealing destination from the trail and build upon the work that the National Landing BID has done to make the park an active and lively location with Fridays at the Fountain. Check out the full concept.

JBG Smith is planning a redevelopment of the Crystal City Water Park that includes some potential impacts to the access to the Mount Vernon Trail. In 2020, over 330 thousand people used the Crystal City Connector. JBG Smith presented a request to modify the site plan for the park to the Arlington County Board. Several community members spoke in opposition to the site plan due to the inclusion of a connection to a new VRE platform access that would have created a blind corner and major conflict point with bike riders exiting the tunnel. The Arlington County Board directed JBG Smith to revise the site plan to address the conflict and present revised plans at the March Board meeting. Coverage of the Board meeting is at https://www.arlnow.com/2021/01/27/plan-to-update-crystal-city-water-park-deferred-over-safety-concerns/

The redevelopment promises some upgraded amenities for trail users. A new trailhead facility that includes restrooms be built. Other changes include several vendor kiosks, a platform for performers, more shaded grassy areas and a bar built over the top of the existing water fountain. These changes are likely to make the water park an appealing destination from the trail and build upon the work that the National Landing BID has done to make the park an active and lively location with Fridays at the Fountain. Check out the full concept.

If you’d like to help improve the Mount Vernon Trail, please sign up for one of our volunteer events at http://mountvernontrail.org/events