Capitol Police uphold sledding ban

U.S. Capitol Police have denied D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D) request to temporarily lift the ban on sledding on the Capitol grounds for the weekend, with 4 to 8 inches of snow expected to blanket the region.

In a letter to Holmes Norton, Capitol Board Police Chairman Frank Larkin said sledding is prohibited under the Traffic Regulations for the United States Capitol Grounds.

{mosads}“It shall be the duty of Capitol police on and after April 29, 1876 to prevent any portion of the Capitol Grounds and terraces from being used as playgrounds or otherwise, so far as may be necessary to protect the public property, turf and grass from destruction or injury,” he wrote citing the code.

The Capitol Police Board did, however, say it would continue to review the regulations and implement updates as necessary.

Holmes Norton expressed disappointment with the decision.

“The nation’s capital is teeming with families and young children who are the latest generation to regard sledding on ‘America’s front lawn’ during our rare snowstorms as one of our oldest and best traditions,” she said in a statement. 

“I will follow up with the board urging them to direct officers, as they have for years now, not to enforce this arcane regulation during the four-day period following tomorrow’s snowstorm.”

She said she was “encouraged” that the police board would review regulations.

“I have not asked for unfettered or unregulated sledding,” Holmes-Norton said. “Rather, I have requested reasonable regulation of sledding to replace the absolute ban. 

“I do not believe that is too much to ask for the Capitol Grounds, which are used for walking dogs and other activities, in a city that has so few snowfalls that can accommodate sledding.”