Citing security concerns and COVID-19, the U.S. Capitol Police have denied a request to permit sledding on the complex ahead of an expected snowstorm.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton issued a statement on Saturday asking Capitol Police to allow sledding at the Capitol on Sunday and next week in anticipation of receiving snow in the area.
“The west side of the Capitol is well known as perhaps the best place for sledding in D.C.’s high-density urban environment,” the statement said. “While the Capitol complex has been closed since the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, sledding can be done safely by allowing only children and adults accompanied by children with sleds or other sled-like devices to use the Capitol grounds for sledding.”
In her statement, Holmes Norton said it might be the only storm D.C. gets this year. She notes that after such a challenging year, parents and children should be able to enjoy it by “sledding on one of the best hills in the city.”
CNN reports that at this time, the Capitol Police could not approve the request.
“Unfortunately, due to the current security posture, COVID-19 restrictions, and the deconstruction of the Inaugural platform, we cannot permit sledding on the Capitol Complex at this time,” the statement by Capitol Police said.
