Opportunities for Many
The Arlington Community Boathouse is envisioned as the host facility for multiple non-motorized water sports, recreation, and educational uses. Some of these would include:
Rowing - the County scholastic rowing (also known as crew) programs must all find access in the District to store and launch boats. The new Community Boathouse would prioritize access for the three County public high school programs and, provided space is available, possibly accommodate additional northern Virginia youth programs. A robust community rowing program is envisioned with the shared use of boats and coached programs. While plans for the facility are still developing, it may be possible to provide storage for privately owned rowing shells, but the emphasis will be on community-owned and managed boats. Novice, youth, and adult learn-to-row programs are planned.
Adaptive and Veteran-focused programs - with many residents of the County and northern Virginia veterans of the uniformed services, the Foundation seeks opportunities to host programs providing them opportunities to gain new skills and abilities on the water through paddling and rowing.
Educational Opportunities - the unique ecosystem of the tidal Potomac offers an unsurpassed opportunity for nature study and environmental learning for all ages. In particular, elementary school-aged children through high school would be able to use the Community Boathouse facility to access the river as well as the shoreline. Regional non-profit environmental and river protection groups would be able to stage stewardship events and adult learning from the facility The upper site would be able to host school and non-classroom groups in assembly space, being located near Rosslyn’s public transit and easily accessible bus drop-off points.