Canal Plan
In 2017 Georgetown Heritage, in partnership with the NPS, the Georgetown BID, and the DC government, set out to create a comprehensive plan to revitalize and reimagine the canal in Georgetown. The Georgetown Canal Plan was developed over the course of two years, with input from the public throughout the process. Landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, best known for their work on New York’s High Line, were selected to lead the design process, and they worked with a team of other experts and consultants to develop the plan and assess its impact. The completed plan was approved by NPS in 2020. You can read the text of the full Georgetown Canal Plan here and see a summary of the major components below.
The plan proposed solutions to make the park more accessible, safe and welcoming, especially along the towpath, which is narrow, uneven, and poorly lit. It also suggested improvements to underutilized plazas and open spaces along the mile, each with a unique purpose and atmosphere. The plan created more opportunities for recreation and interpretation and addressed many of the community’s concerns.
Current Status
Georgetown Heritage remains committed to the spirit and the letter of the Georgetown Canal Plan. We are disappointed that NPS has retracted its commitment to this plan, and its commitment to the community members and partners who contributed to its development. With the termination of our philanthropic partnership in February of 2024, our ability to realize the Canal Plan has been seriously hindered. We hope that someday we will be able to implement these much needed and much desired improvements to this beloved park.
The Start of a Journey
Mile Marker Zero
This section contains the Tide Lock that linked the Canal with the Potomac River. Our vision is to connect Mile Marker Zero to the rest of the C&O Canal and beautify the area. Our plans call for the restoration of the lock, improved access, as well as grass and tree plantings to enhance beauty and enrich the visitor experience. Also, netting across part of the Tide Lock will provide visitors with a distinctive place to enjoy the Potomac River viewshed.
The Canal in the Heart of Georgetown
The Locks
The four locks that connect the C&O Canal with Rock Creek are the heart of the Canal in DC. Lock 3 is where the new canal boat is docked and where the existing NPS visitor center is located. This area will be transformed into a charming oasis and an interpretive hub for the C&O Canal in the heart of Georgetown. As a key element of our strategic plan, Georgetown Heritage is also exploring the feasibility of a new Georgetown Education and Cultural Center near the Canal that would provide a centralized venue for our canal-focused work, community-based activities, and educational programs.
Views of the Potomac and Key Bridge
The Aqueduct
One of the most exciting areas of the Canal is located at the remains of the Potomac Aqueduct next to Key Bridge. This area will become a place to gather and enjoy distinctive views of the Potomac River and Key Bridge. A kayak/canoe dock will be located on the Canal here, and a link will be made connecting the C&O towpath to the Capital Crescent Trail.
Canal Projects
Before any vision for the future of the canal could be implemented, the current state of the canal had to be addressed. Aging canal infrastructure conditions were worsening due to budget cuts and deferred maintenance. With funding in place for the canal boat, NPS was able to prioritize funding repairs for Locks 3 & 4 in Georgetown to ensure the canal boat would be able to safely navigate the locks. More information was needed about the rest of the canal walls and structures, so Georgetown Heritage funded a comprehensive engineering assessment of the one-mile section. This work allowed NPS to identify top priority projects and prepare funding requests. Georgetown Heritage helped facilitate an emergency temporary repair to a section of canal wall, pictured above. The engineering assessment resulted in NPS successfully securing funding for the Locks and Walls project which aims to address many of the known areas in need of repair. That project is expected to finish in 2026.
