parks

Walking with Long Walks DC – Happy Earth Day from the National Arboretum!

By Prince Of Petworth

This month Sara from Long Walks DC writes:

“Happy Earth Day from the National Arboretum! If you are still craving beautiful spring flowers, thousands of vibrant azaleas are begining to bloom over the next weeks. The walking paths through the Azalea Collection are picturesque and soon will be fully blazing with color.

Download the National Arboretum App for help finding all the cool spots throughout the park.

There is also a free flower show in the Visitor Center Auditorium today (Friday) from 1pm-4pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. On April 30th, (more…)

The Springs coming to Franklin Square Park

By Prince Of Petworth


1315 I Street, NW

The liquor license placard at the new little building at the edge of Franklin Square Park, for The Springs says: “New Retailer’s Class “C” Tavern serving café-style sandwiches. Seat Capacity of 60 and a Total Occupancy Load of 60. Summer Garden with a seating capacity of 7,500. [Ed. Note: 7,500 capacity for the park?!? Or maybe just a typo…] (more…)

Melvin Hazen No More – Hello U.S. Reservation 630

By Prince Of Petworth


Tilden and Reno Road, NW

Adieu Melvin Hazen, nobody will miss you.

In February 2021 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton educated:

“Hazen began his career in the D.C. government as a surveyor in 1889 and rose through the ranks to become President of the three-member Board of Commissioners, a role he held from 1933 until his death, in 1941. Over the 51 years of his career, he held considerable influence and power over the development of D.C., and chose to wield this power by implementing a drastic urban planning strategy in Northwest D.C. that promoted segregation, prioritized all-white communities and marginalized African-American residents. (more…)

“A Safer Hans Point – dedicated space for bicyclists and pedestrians”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Ketti for sharing. Unfortunately the link in the poster is not currently active but I did come across this interesting historical tidbit that I never knew:

“Hains Point is named for the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Peter Conover Hains, the engineer who designed the Tidal Basin. Here, the Potomac River, Washington Channel, and Anacostia River all converge.”

Will post again on April 19th when more info on the designs are released.

“They’re looking to change/improve the parks in the downtown area and are asking for public input!”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to share this survey I found floating around on social media. They’re looking to change/improve the parks in the downtown area and are asking for public input! I’m hoping people can find this so we ensure the future of the parks actually reflect what residents want! Here is the survey.

I’d recommend taking it on a computer if possible as there are a bunch of images to compare.”

11th Street Bridge Park Unveils Plans for “Mussel Beach” Play Area “will feature sculptural mussels, sea grass climbers, water sounds, and slides.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Image Courtesy of OMA+OLIN

From a press release:

“Today,​ the 11th Street Bridge Park​ – a partnership between the local non-profit Building Bridges Across the River (Building Bridges) and the District government – unveiled plans for the interactive “Mussel Beach” play area by landscape architects OLIN and play consultants from Studio Ludo. Given the proximity of the play area to the park’s Environmental Education Center and the Anacostia Watershed Society’s work to repopulate thousands of mussels within the Anacostia River improving river water quality, the play area will feature sculptural mussels, sea grass climbers, water sounds, and slides. (more…)

Early cherry trees? and Best place to sit at the Arboretum?

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Erin

“Dear PoPville,

Now that we’ve reached peduncle elongation, NPS is predicting we’re about a week away from peak bloom at the Tidal Basin. Are there clusters of trees around town that are a little ahead of schedule? Foxhall? Catholic’s campus? Anything at the Arboretum? I have guests in town this weekend, and I would love to crowdsource some wisdom of where we could spot any non-Mall clusters of trees. Thanks!”

and (more…)

“NoMa’s New Park Has a New Name – SWAMPOODLE TERRACE PARK”

By Prince Of Petworth


rendering northwest corner of 3rd and L Streets NE

From a press release:

“After seeking community input on what should be the permanent name for the new park coming to the northwest corner of 3rd & L Streets NE in NoMa and then putting the top three naming options to a public vote, the NoMa Parks Foundation (NPF) announced today that the winning name is “Swampoodle Terrace.”

Nearly 900 votes were cast online during the six-week community naming process which included the community suggestion round and the community voting round. “Swampoodle Terrace” received the most votes, surpassing the other two options by a more than 20% margin.

“The community’s choice of ‘Swampoodle Terrace” is completely fitting for our new park. The park’s design repeats many elements of its companion, Swampoodle Park, but it also includes a beautiful, terraced garden”, said Sandy Wilkes, Board Chair of the NoMa Parks Foundation. (more…)

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