Norton to Host Community Meeting on Reopening Maryland Avenue Gate at the National Arboretum, November 1

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a community meeting to call for the reopening of the Maryland Avenue gate at the National Arboretum on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the auditorium at the National Arboretum's Visitor Center (Use entrance at 2400 R Street NE). The most direct access to this rare nature preserve in the midst of a big city has been closed since 1991. The only ways to enter the Arboretum today are through entrances located on New York Avenue and R Street, designed for cars and away from residential neighborhoods. Appearing at the community meeting will be Richard Olsen, Director, National Arboretum; Tom McGuire, Executive Director, Friends of the National Arboretum; Sydelle Moore, President, Langston Civil Association; and ANC Commissioners Bernice Blacknell (5D04) and Robert Coomber (7D01).

"The National Arboretum is a national treasure that families and residents once enjoyed until its gate to the neighborhood was closed," Norton said. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture is overdue in making the National Arboretum once again accessible to the surrounding community. The reopening of the Arboretum's Maryland Avenue gate would greatly increase access to this resource located in the heart of our city for children, families and other residents. I look forward to hearing feedback from the neighbors, other residents and stakeholders as we prepare to make the case for a revival of neighborhood attendance at the Arboretum."