Help Name “Swampoodle Park II”

From a press release:

“The NoMa Parks Foundation (NPF), an affiliate of the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID), is seeking community input to help officially name NoMa’s newest park, which has been going by the working name “Swampoodle II.”

Located at the northwest corner of 3rd and L Streets NE, the 5,800 square foot parcel of land was purchased in September 2020 by NPF with funds from the grant provided by the DC Government in 2014 to address the absence of parks and green spaces in the NoMa neighborhood. 

“This new park, together with the other parks and public spaces that the NoMa Parks Foundation has delivered while working with our DC government partners and the community is proof positive of the effectiveness of strong public-private partnerships,” said Sandy Wilkes, Board Chair, NoMa Parks Foundation. “Now, once again, we are turning to the community to help us identify a compelling name that is meaningful and connects this important new public space to its current, former, and future neighbors.”

Community members are encouraged to propose permanent names for “Swampoodle II” by visiting the website, ImagineNoMaParks.org, where neighborhood background and design renderings can be reviewed. Those without Internet access can also call (202) 289-0111 to request a form be sent in the mail. Proposed names are subject to DC Government review and approval.

Round One of the “Swampoodle II” community naming process will be open until February 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM for the public to submit their first-round suggestions, which will be reviewed and narrowed down for a round of community voting.

Round Two of the “Swampoodle II” community naming process begins on February 22, 2022, which just happens to be a “Twosday” and closes on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 11:59 PM. Shortly thereafter, the final Round Two selections will be recommended to the DC Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser, who will make the final decision on the name for this delightful new park that will serve all District residents and visitors. 

Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen has graciously agreed to sponsor the legislation to establish the official name for the park.

“Our Ward 6 community has been actively involved in advocating and caring for our treasured parks and welcoming public spaces in NoMa,” said Charles Allen, Ward 6 Councilmember. “As we build a community for the future, it is absolutely critical we are creating outdoor spaces that are welcoming and beautiful as an essential part of great quality of life. I thank the NoMa Parks Foundation for bringing another beautiful new park to the neighborhood and look forward to seeing the creative naming ideas our Ward 6 community will come up with again this time.”

The community’s enthusiasm and work in providing suggestions to the NoMa Parks Foundation for public park names led directly to the adoption of the name “Swampoodle Park” for the park on the southwest corner of 3rd and L NE, as well as the selection of “Alethia Tanner Park” for the large park that incorporates the Metropolitan Branch Trail further north in Ward 5.

“Naming NoMa parks has become a fun tradition, and community engagement in park naming has produced great results,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, NoMa Parks Foundation President. “We are delighted that the DC Government has seen the benefit of this process. Get your creative juices flowing again and help us identify a name that will be just right and stand the test of time!”

The NoMa Parks Foundation looks forward to working with the community and the DC Government to activate and maintain this future park, as it has with all its previous projects, and will share updates and opportunities for continuing community engagement at www.nomaparks.org.”