Chesapeake BAY gateways sites for enhancing public education of and access to the chesapeake BAY consistent with the chesapeake BAY initiative act of 1998 (PUB

Project Grant Award Summary

Building Bridges Across The River, Inc. (doing business as Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus) received a $100,000 Project Grant from the National Park Service's Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network program (CFDA 15.930) awarded on September 19, 2025, with completion targeted for September 18, 2027. The award supports development of the 11th Street Bridge Park, a public-private partnership transforming historic bridge piers into accessible public space connecting communities across the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. The primary deliverable is a kayak and canoe launch facility co-designed with East of the River residents, which will provide water access for over 147,000 people and serve as a gateway to local trails and conservation resources.

The project advances the National Park Service's Chesapeake Bay Initiative mandate by creating water access infrastructure that enhances public education and recreation while fostering community engagement with the Anacostia River's natural and cultural heritage. The launch facility exemplifies the program's strategic priorities of implementing new water access sites and supporting public participation in conservation and resource stewardship within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

L. 105-312, title V, SEC.502(a)). The 11TH street bridge park is a public-private partnership transforming old bridge piers into a vibrant public space that connects communities across the anacostia river. A central feature is the kayak and canoe launch, CO-designed with east of the river residents, which will provide river access for over 147,000 people. This launch will support recreation and conservation, linking visitors to local trails while fostering deeper engagement with the anacostias natural and cultural heritage.