Legal Definitions - National Capital Parks Commission

The National Capital Parks Commission, also known as the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), is a federal commission that plans the development of federal lands and facilities in the National Capital region. This region includes the District of Columbia and six nearby counties, two in Maryland and four in Virginia.

The NCPC was originally established in 1924 as the National Capital Parks Commission, which was a park-planning agency. The commission has 12 members who work together to ensure that the development of federal lands and facilities in the National Capital region is done in a way that benefits the community.

For example, the NCPC may plan the development of a new park in the National Capital region. They will work with local communities to determine what features the park should have, such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails. The NCPC will then create a plan for the park's development and work with local government agencies to make it happen.

Another example of the NCPC's work is the planning of new federal buildings in the National Capital region. The commission will work with architects and local communities to ensure that the new buildings are designed in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. They will also consider the impact that the new buildings will have on the surrounding community.