#StayHomeDC pic.twitter.com/7RfwGvYHaN
— Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) March 31, 2020
Ed. Note: On March 20th the Mayor announced “All DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) facilities, including playgrounds, parks, and athletic fields, will be closed to the public.”
Many readers report at various school playgrounds and parks around the District:
“I saw people using the field at Garrison School at R and Vermont in Logan Circle…despite the signs posted on the gates. This is a real disservice to the city which is trying to keep us safe. It’s also an astonishing act of entitled privilege as the field should be in use right now by the public school children of our community. I called 311 but they have bigger problems to solve right now. Maybe you can remind folks that there’s a public health emergency, and that’s why the fields are closed for now? Not to keep children away so they can keep their fitness routines intact?”
New sign posted by a resident at Garrison
And while Rock Creek Park is obviously open, the Exercise Trail equipment is closed: Read More
Photo by PoPville flickr user Katie Yaeger Rotramel
From USDA:
“In a continued effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service will close public access to all areas of the U.S. National Arboretum. Effective today, the grounds and outdoor garden collections will be closed, and all activities and tours have been cancelled until further notice. Read More
Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.
“Dear PoPville,
I live near Sherwood Recreation Center park in Ward Six by the H Street Corridor, which was shuttered a few days ago by the city. A small group of parents and children have started congregating in a parking lot adjacent to the park. While most adults (not all!) are keeping a distance of six feet from each other, children from different households continue to play together. So, germs continue jumping from household to household, defeating the purpose of closing the park to enforce social distancing measures. I am sure this scene is playing out in shuttered parks across the city. Read More
I’ve been getting tons of photos from folks showing groups of people clustered together in parks, playing sports, etc. Yes, yes, we should get outside and get fresh air. However, when doing so social distancing still must be practiced our WE ARE GOING TO BE SCREWED. So please do enjoy a bike ride, a hike, a jog, a walk but please do it responsibly. [God that’s a sentence I never thought I’d type.]
Here’s a helpful graphic from Montgomery County: Read More
Thanks to Allison for passing on from the Shaw Dog Park Committee:
“Thank you to everyone who helped share your voice and concerns with DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)! The agency informed us yesterday (March 6) that they will have a temporary dog park set up at the corner of Rhode Island and Q, NW (south of the skateboard park). That park will be ready for use starting April 1. We are told this park will have appropriate fencing and a double gate. They are still anticipating a Fall 2021 re-opening of the Shaw Dog Park at 11th and R NW. Read More
15th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Ken writes yesterday: “they CUT DOWN ALL THE TREES at Pershing Park to “build” the National World War I memorial. It was once one of the prettiest monuments/parks in the city. Now it’s torn up to be “renovated” by WW1 Centennial.”
A photo of the park from 2014: Read More
From the 3200 block of O Street, NW just off Wisconsin. Obviously nicer in the warmer months but this really looks great: Read More
Whoa, Dan Herrera posted to the Capital Naturalist Facebook Group on Friday:
“This bobcat was observed at the C&O Canal in DC! iNaturalist doesn’t show any observations in the area, and the last documented bobcat in the district appears to have escaped (but is now returned) from the zoo. So this is quite the find!
North of Georgetown – closer to the Palisades neighborhood”
Ed. Note: Although, it does look a little bit like Cookie…
Thanks to newzguy1234 for sharing the updated photo of the construction progress on Sunday.
Ed. Note: “The opening of East Potomac Pool is currently scheduled for summer of 2020.” Knock wood, knock wood. You can read about why it’s taking so long here.
