Washington, DC Residents Defy Sledding Ban on Capitol Grounds

hroe/iStock Editorial/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Heavy snow blanketed Capitol Hill on Thursday, producing a widespread urge to sled down Washington’s most iconic slopes.

The only problem? Sledding is banned on Capitol Grounds, dumbfounding many of DC’s residents.

“You’re saying we can’t sled on Capitol Hill?” one resident said in disbelief. “God.”

Nevertheless, dozens of DC residents and their children defied the ban, facing off against Capitol Police officers tasked with enforcement.

“Capitol regulations as stated are that there is no sledding or skiing on Capitol grounds for life safety and property damage issues,” USCP Lt. Eric Graves told people who had gathered to sled on a bunny hill on the West Front of the Capitol. “The main point being that there are sprinkler heads and stuff buried in the ground and we’re seriously concerned about people coming to an abrupt stop or causing the sleds to flip over. That’s why we ask people not to sled on Capitol grounds.”

But Graves’ warning didn’t deter anybody from a little fun.

“I understand your regulations, but we’re going to do a little more sledding here,” one man told Graves, turning away to resume playing with his kids.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC, pleaded with the Capitol Police board to lift the ban through the snowy weekend, but her request was quickly denied Wednesday night.

Many of DC’s residents don’t understand the justification.

“What is the threat of letting a 10-year-old and a seven-year-old sled down Capitol Hill?” one woman asked incredulously.

Capitol Hill resident Ellen Adams brought her twin daughters Charlotte and Kendall, and hopes that beyond a day in the snow, they’ll take an important lesson home.

“It’s ridiculous, I mean, it’s such a great hill. It’s just such a fun activity for the kids here on Capitol Hill,” Adams said. “I’m trying to teach them about civil disobedience.”

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