The District of Columbia, National Park Service and Georgetown University have agreed to land deals that will boost public access to the Georgetown Waterfront.

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office said in a release Tuesday that the university will give a parcel of land along the Potomac River that will be integrated into the NPS-run Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

The university’s land parcel includes an easement by the Capital Crescent Trail. Once the NPS controls the parcel, the easement will be abolished, giving the public full access to the trail, the mayor’s office said. 

The NPS is giving up two parcels of land at the base of the Francis Scott Key Bridge to the District, which in turn is giving one of the parcels west of the bridge to Georgetown University.

Georgetown University will construct a boathouse there and offer the public access to its docks year-round once completed, the mayor’s office said. The university’s men’s and women’s rowing teams will also be based out of the new boathouse, freeing up the Thompson Boat Center along Virginia Avenue NW for use by other collegiate and high school teams in the District.

The mayor’s office said the second piece of land east of the bridge will give the public more access to the Potomac, connect to Georgetown Waterfront Park and support the usage of the Capital Crescent Trail.

“By clearing the path for a long-envisioned boathouse, we’re supporting outdoor recreation and environmental education and connecting new generations of users to the natural and cultural treasures of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park waterfront,” Jennifer Nersesian, regional director of the NPS National Capital Region, said in the release.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.