Woodley Park

“The new pilot locations will be exclusively used for pick-up/drop-off and commercial loading 24 hours a day”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville Flickr user brunofish

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Bowser’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced five new pick-up/drop-off pilot locations following the successful Connecticut Avenue Pick-up/Drop-off Zone Night Life Pilot. Following a 30-day notice and comment period, the Administration will launch the new 24-hour passenger and commercial loading zones in high-demand areas.

“Our goal with the expansion of this pilot is to reduce conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists,” said Mayor Bowser. “By rethinking how we move people and goods between the street and the sidewalk, we can better adapt to a changing transportation landscape and find new ways to work together to meet our Vision Zero goals.”

The new pilot locations will be exclusively used for pick-up/drop-off and commercial loading 24 hours a day. (more…)

A Mural My 43 Year Old Self and 3 Year Old Self Are Equally Excited About

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Ryan Wegman for sharing with us:

“Woodley Park’s very first zoo dedicated mural is coming along (Calvert & Conn.) Now that it’s nearly complete, here’s what the finished product will look like (with minor changes — elephant holds an orange!).”

Ed. Note: This replaces the one that was tagged last November and is across the street from the iconic Marilyn Monroe mural.

The Zoo Just Got a New Playground and I was gonna come up with a pun but then I decided not too.

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo Credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

But still, good news!!

From a press release:

“The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is buzzing over a new pollinator-themed playground: Me and the Bee, sponsored by Land O’Lakes Inc. Adjacent to the Kids’ Farm and Conservation Pavilion, Me and the Bee encompasses 4,900 square feet of space where children of all ages can climb atop honeycomb steps, slide down a tree stump overflowing with golden honey and crawl inside hollow trees where bees make their abodes. The playground was made possible by support from farmer-owned cooperative Land O’Lakes Inc. Open to the public during regular Zoo hours, Me and the Bee is an inclusive playground with ADA-accessible features. (more…)

“On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo will host a public meeting that will include a presentation about the Zoo’s perimeter fence and security plan and a Q&A”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the National Capital Planning Commission:

“At NCPC’s July 12 meeting, the Commission heard the Smithsonian Institution’s proposal for supplemental fencing and consolidated entrances around the National Zoo. The Commission deferred taking an action and requested that the Smithsonian provide a security assessment and conduct public outreach before coming back later in the fall. As a result, on August 1 at 6:30 pm, the Smithsonian will host a public meeting on the project in the Zoo’s Conservation Pavilion.

[NCPC also approved preliminary site development plans for a landscape design project that is part of the South Capitol Street Corridor and the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. The design features a large traffic oval at either side of the bridge over the Anacostia River. Discussion and comments focused on the programming of the east oval and the types of amenities that should be provided for the community.]

More on the Zoo’s August 1 Meeting (more…)

“FINAL Statement and FAQ on Zoo’s Security Access Plan”

By Prince Of Petworth


3001 Connecticut Ave., NW

UPDATE: Related:

From a press release:

“Statement on National Zoo Security-Access Plan

The safety and security of the visitors, staff and animals are the No. 1 priority at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The Zoo has an existing perimeter that currently has 13 pedestrian entrances. To improve the Zoo’s overall security and visitor experience, the number of pedestrian entrances will be decreased to three–Connecticut Avenue, the lower Zoo (Harvard Street) and the bus parking area near giant panda habitat. These are the three entrances that the vast majority of visitors use now.

Limiting the number of ways people enter the Zoo will enhance security and safety year-round. For the past four years during high visitation days or when there has been an increased threat level, security at these entrances has included bag checks and additional screening. The Zoo will continue this practice. On most days, visitors will use these three entrances as they do now.

The only part of the Visitor Access and Security Fencing Project proposal put forward to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for approval is the installation of additional fencing, which will begin in 2019. Although the proposal before NCPC refers to additional phased security concepts, these proposals are not under review by NCPC at this time. The Smithsonian is committed to engaging in a public process before submitting new security concepts for review by NCPC. Comments can be submitted to the Smithsonian via [email protected].

FAQ Smithsonian’s National Capital Planning Commission Proposal: (more…)

Another Important Reminder From Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

Sarah Worley shares this gem:

“Overheard at Woodley Park Metro station over intercom: “Attention Metro customers. For your convenience, Metro provides restrooms in this station. Please do not relieve yourself on the platform.”

Public Pot Smoking May Feel Legal But

By Prince Of Petworth

Ryan Wegman reported on Saturday:

“Secret Service found someone smoking marijuana on Nando’s Woodley Park patio and it appears have arrested and searched the contents of a person (thoroughly). Unlike DC police, no congressional rider forbids SS from enforcing laws related to weed in DC, if anyone knows?”


2631 Connecticut Ave, NW

MPD’s website says:

“A person can still be arrested for:

Selling any amount of marijuana to another person;
Possessing more than two ounces of marijuana;
Operating a vehicle or boat under the influence of marijuana; or
Smoking, eating, or drinking marijuana – or holding or carrying a lighted roll of paper or other lighted smoking equipment filled with marijuana – in any public space, such as:

On any street, sidewalk, alley, park, or parking area;
In a vehicle on any street, alley, park, or parking area; or
Any place to which the public is invited.”

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