Transfer of Jurisdiction Over a Portion of Reservation 360 and Reservation 639, S.O. 25-01393, Approval Resolution of 2026
This proposed resolution approves the transfer of jurisdiction over approximately 222,294 square feet of land in northwest Washington, D.C., consisting of portions of Reservation 360 and Reservation 639, from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service to the District of Columbia. The transfer is intended to give the District control over land used for recreation and school-related purposes, including Francis Dog Park, Francis Pool, tennis and basketball courts, and an athletic field associated with John Francis Education Campus.
The resolution relies on D.C. Code § 10-111, which governs transfers of jurisdiction between the federal government and the District. It also directs the Council’s transmittal of the adopted resolution to federal and District officials and adopts the Chief Financial Officer’s fiscal impact statement. The fiscal analysis states that funds are sufficient in fiscal years 2026 through 2029, and that the District’s Department of General Services can absorb ongoing maintenance costs within existing resources, while $3 million is included in the capital plan for related improvements.
If approved, the measure would shift administrative control of the identified federal land from the National Park Service to the District, allowing District agencies to manage, maintain, and improve the site more directly. The transfer would support planned upgrades to recreational facilities and associated infrastructure, and it may also require follow-on zoning actions because the land is currently under federal control and not zoned under District law. The resolution does not itself change the recreational use of the property, but it enables the District to proceed with capital and maintenance work on the affected parcels.
The overall sentiment in the available materials is strongly supportive. The Mayor transmitted the proposal for Council approval, and the fiscal, legal, planning, transportation, fire, water, historic preservation, and neighborhood review materials all indicate no objection or affirmative support. NCPC approved the transfer at the federal level, and the ANC resolution also supported the action. The record reflects a consensus that the transfer would improve management of the site and facilitate planned improvements without adverse impacts.
There is little formal opposition in the record, but the main issue addressed in the review process was scope and land-use coordination. NCPC noted that, in response to community feedback, the transfer does not include the Francis athletic field south of the dog park, which will remain under National Park Service jurisdiction. The Office of Planning also noted that because the property is currently federally controlled, it will need to be rezoned after transfer. Historic preservation staff conditioned their concurrence on execution and recording of the transfer covenant, reflecting a preservation safeguard rather than a dispute.