INAUGURAL SLOW ROLL SUNDAY - EVENT RECAP
RHODE ISLAND AVENUE TROLLEY TRAIL EXTENSION EVENT

On Sunday, October 26, the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, 3711 Studios, Chalk Riot, and Arrow Bicycle hosted the inaugural Slow Roll Sunday. Over 20 people from artists to families to bike advocates and community members looking for something fun to do attended the event. It was a beautiful day for touring and talking about some of the many initiatives and cultural and economic assets that would benefit from a better connection at the pedestrian level. This event was covered by the Diamondback. 

The 2-mile trip along Rhode Island Avenue and onto the Trolley Trail started with people gathering and listening to tunes at 3711 Studios and Chalk Riot. There were bicycle checkups provided by Arrow Bicycle's Dylan Mason and a presentation on group ride safety 101 by Kalli Krumpos from Capital Trails Coalition. ATHA's executive director, Meagan Baco, welcomed riders including one rollerblader to the event. 

Once the tour started, the music continued and the group stopped at various places along the way, ending with a welcome by Mayor Benitez in Mount Rainier’s Memorial Park. Throughout the ride, Allie O'Neill from the Gateway Arts District Management team, Meagan Baco and Valerie Woodall from ATHA, and Kalli Krumpos from the Capital Trails Coalition provided important context for the sites participants stopped at. These sites included Gateway Farmer’s Market, miXt Food Hall, Studio 3807, and new bus stop art in Brentwood, Charles Armentrout Drive Intersection and Bridge and the Spot Trailhead Park in Hyattsville, Riverdale Park Town Center, Entrepreneur’s Park and Sis’ Tavern in North Brentwood, Memorial Park in Mount Rainier, and more. 

This 1st "Slow Roll" event was designed to showcase the need and opportunities for bringing the trail through Mount Rainier, Brentwood and North Brentwood thereby connecting to the existing trail which supports opportunities for healthy living, transit, and economic development in Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, College Park, and the larger Anacostia Tributary Trail System. Stay tuned for further opportunities to connect on events like this.

Special thanks to Arrow Bicycle, Chalk Riot, 3711 Studios, Capital Trails Coalition, Gateway Arts District Management Team, and everyone who joined us along the way!