Photos: Aineki Traverso
Words: Susan Blasdel
Who's ready for a trip down local politics lane? Normally I would say I'm not, but this trip involves some great urban exploring so let's have a go at it.
Klingle Road once connected Mount Pleasant and Woodley Park, bringing commuters to the high end private schools like Washington International School, St. Albans, National Cathedral School and Maret. In 1991 the narrow road along the Klingle Creek was eroded to bits by a storm and the DC government closed .7 miles of it rather than pay for repairs.
And then the local politicking started. In 1995 Mary McGrory penned a column (PDF) opposing the plans to rebuild the road and a Save Klingle Valley group was formed. In 1999, when the budget wasn't an absolute mess and building a road looked feasible again, a Repair Klingle Road group was formed. Nearly 20 years, many city council sessions, newspaper articles and plastic signs later the future of Klingle appears to be heading in the park direction. This limbo, however, has meant that there is a long stretch of concrete unpatroled by Park Police and unsullied by cars.
Directions: From Cleveland Park metro walk South on the West side of Connecticut Avenue (passing the public library). When you see the view below, hop the rail around where the BYT watermark lies.
Proceed downhill, go around the fence and stay close to the bridge to scope some tags.
Go around the corner and traverse the rocks until you come to a platform. The door into the bridge was open only a short time ago, however it has been padlocked.
If you'd like to explore the area I recommend walking West along Klingle road to see some disrepair and more tagging on the jumbles of pylons.
Previously in Wall Scout:
God loves a cheerful giver.
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