How to Destroy a National Public Park

In Northwest Washington, D.C., our residential neighborhood is facing a looming threat from the proposed development of Rock Creek Park by Mark D. Ein's MDE Sports to greatly expand its capacity as a tennis tournament site.  As concerned residents and community members, we are troubled by the intentions to use public lands and funds for private gain, while reducing free public access. The development enables private business to restrict the public anytime there is a tournament or event. Government and tournament officials have not afforded any public consultation on whether this sportsplex should be developed in Rock Creek Park.

This development would have serious impacts on commuters and a residential neighborhood because of inadequate transportation infrastructure. There would be huge increases in vehicular and foot traffic with minimal public transport, and there is a long history of traffic, commuter, and parking problems during events.  

This development would cause environmental degradation in a national federal park.  It would involve  tree and forest removal; more impermeable surfaces (at odds with DC’s Water infrastructure efforts); and impacts on wildlife and endangered species.  There is a history of air and noise pollution, toxic material dumping (see video evidence) and slow remediation of damaged athletic fields associated with management and operation of events over their lifecycles, by private business at this Rock Creek Tennis facility. No Environmental Impact Surveys have been announced.

This is the WRONG PLACE for a large scale PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.  On December 17th, NPS has issued a long term lease Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center with a short 30-day bid period.  RFP link  ------>>.  https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/nps_rfp_rocr_tennis_center.htm

If you want to ask questions about this RFP, the only way is via email to  ---->   NPSNCRLeasing@nps.gov  Include "ROCR Tennis Center" in the subject line of your email.

Using public property for private gain: the writing on the wall of this Mubadala Citi Open luxury suite speaks for itself.