“Recently, the school gates have recently been locked, and we have been told that weekend access will not be granted”

via Change.org

“Dear PoPville,

For the past four months, Powell Elementary playground in Petworth has been open to the community. The playground has been a great resource for neighborhood families, meeting one another, having fun, and getting exercise.

Recently, the school gates have recently been locked, and we have been told that weekend access will not be granted. We don’t know why that is the case, and we are asking Councilmember Todd to lend his voice to this issue. 

Our community worked closely with Powell and the city during the construction process. The community relocated a beloved community garden to make space for the school parking lot, and neighbors who share the alley with Powell endured a number of hardships that come with lengthy and large construction projects such as this one. Before and during construction, Upshur Park was used as Powell’s daily recess playground, and the school still uses the Upshur soccer field for P.E. classes, and after school sports.

The neighborhood shared this community space with the school when it needed it most, and is proud to have Powell in our neighborhood.  We care deeply about the success of Powell, and we hope that the City and DCPS will show their mutual support for the community by making it accessible to the public on weekends.

Sign this petition if you agree that neighbors and community members shouldn’t be locked out of Powell now that the construction is done.”