Exelon Invests $5 Million to Bring Washington, D.C. Communities Together
A new, 1,200-foot 11th Street Bridge Park will bring together the historic neighborhoods of Anacostia and Capitol Hill, spanning the Anacostia River and laying groundwork for new connections in the community.
Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) leads the project and Exelon, Exelon Foundation, Pepco and Constellation contributed $5 million over five years to the effort. When completed, it will be Washington, D.C.’s first elevated public park – similar to New York’s famed High Line project – linking the two neighborhoods and providing local children and families with high-quality arts, educational, recreational, health and family programs.
“The Bridge Park advances shared goals for the community and Exelon, including improving public health, providing another iconic destination for the District and encouraging a future generation of environmental stewards,” said Steve Solomon, president of the Exelon Foundation.
“The 11th Street Bridge Park is about strengthening communities, fostering economic success through its equitable development plan for all residents and preserving the environment,” said Solomon. “The Bridge Park will be a place for communities from both sides of the river to come together.”
11th Street Bridge Aerial View
11th Street Bridge Anacostia side
11th Street Bridge Play Area
11th Street Bridge Navy Yard
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Constructed atop pillars that once supported the long-abandoned 11th Street freeway bridge, the bridge’s sloping x-shape encourages people to interact. Its unique shape encourages communal interaction in gathering spaces like theaters and cafes that a flat plane would not.
The cross-river connection point allows pedestrians easy movement across the Anacostia River and serves as a place for meeting and relaxing. It will feature art exhibits, lawns and gardens, and an environmental center, sponsored by Exelon.
The state-of-the-art Exelon Environmental Education Center, complete with solar panels powered by Constellation, another Exelon company, will anchor the east side of the park, adjacent to Anacostia Drive and easily accessible via kayak docks and other transport. Plans are still in development, but visitors could find EV charging stations sponsored by Pepco, which is the local Exelon utility company, interactive kiosks, demonstration stations and multifunctional rooms designed to tell the rich history of the Anacostia River and spark conversation about environmental health, including clean technology.
Exelon believes in powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers and communities through contributions like the 11th Street Bridge Park.