Norton to Meet with National Zoo and NPS to Explore Options to Extend Zoo Loop Trail Hours

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she will meet with the National Zoo and the National Park Service (NPS) to explore options to extend the hours of the Zoo Loop Trail in Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia. The trail, which recently reopened to the public, is only open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These limited hours prompted Norton to contact the zoo and NPS for an explanation. The zoo explained that the trail hours are tied to the zoo's hours of operations to maintain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, since the trail runs through the zoo's secondary animal containment perimeter.

"As chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am a strong supporter of bike and pedestrian infrastructure," said Norton. "I understand the zoo's explanation, but I will be meeting with the zoo and the National Park Service to explore options to extend the trail hours."

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