parks

“Swampoodle Park Gate – 9 months trying to get it fixed…”

By Prince Of Petworth

After tweeting earlier, DC Department of General Services replied “Thanks for the tag, we have forwarded this concern to our Facilities team to address.” to which OP replied:

“We have been told this repeatedly for over 9 months since we first attempted to report the issue. Can we actually get a maintenance ticket number for this? A timeline of when it can be fixed?”

“Dear PoPville,

I realize there are actually serious life and death issues happening these days. But, for the last nine months, we have been trying to get the city to fix the gates to the Swampoodle Dog Park because they no longer latch and swing open, allowing dogs to escape. Over the last nine months we have sent over 30 emails, (more…)

Today in Hawks around Town – Reality

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Soozles for sending: “I saw this ringneck snake in Rock Creek Park near Military Rd. eating a salamander.”

If you spot a hawk or any interesting wildlife around town, lunching or otherwise, and get a good photo please send in an email where you spotted it to [email protected] and I’ll add it to the queue. Hawks around Town is made possible by a generous grant from the Ben and Sylvia Gardner foundation.

At first I dismissed this email because it seems outrageous but then I remembered it is 2020

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I went to the Aquatic Gardens today [Sunday] around 3:10pm and upon entering, we saw a park staff member or officer in uniform running to the info booth with a flotation device under her arm in a panic. We stopped in our tracks and she said “Did he go to get the gator?” “Where is it?” The person manning the booth said yes and pointed her to the left around the body of water. She ran in that direction and yelled “Tell him I’m over here, okay?” I’m from Florida and we don’t play with that so obviously we left but an alligator?! In DC?! Hoping your readers can shed some light on this.”

Ed. Note: On July 27th 2018 “an illegal 5-foot caiman” was removed from a home in SE. The National Zoo says: “The American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas.”

“Looking for some community wisdom on biking to work”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by C JRCook

“Dear PoPville,

I’m considering getting a bike for a few reasons (some pandemic related) but am trying to figure out if it’s feasible to ride to work when work resumes–I don’t want to invest in one and then let it sit in storage if things ever get back to normal. One possible route would take me down Rock Creek Park Trail between Porter St. and Georgetown (or between Calvert and Georgetown, depending on what I find out), and from all my research it’s hard to decipher whether or not this part of the trail is a safe, reliable route for someone on a hybrid/commuter bike during weekday commute hours (i.e. when Beach Drive isn’t blocked to cars). (more…)

“PSA: They opened the massive new park and dog park along the MBT in Eckington.”

By Prince Of Petworth

View this post on Instagram

Hey, hey! We opened DC's newest park today! #AlethiaTannerPark, named by popular community suggestion and vote, freed herself from slavery in 1810 by selling produce in Lafayette Park. She went on to free family members and friends, and help found churches and educational institutions in DC. Proud to have worked on this amazing project. The opening was delayed by the coronavirus, but I'm so glad to have worked with many great folks to bring about another venue to celebrate community, practice civility, and exercise democracy. Run, go play! . . . #washingtondc #igdc #acreativedc #202creates #eckington #noma #nomabid #ward5 #parks #newpark #parksandrecreation #urbanpark #dcchasers #exposeddc #popville #dcist #dogpark #playground #fotodc #theotherdc #walkwithlocals #mydccool #washmagphoto #dc #leslieknope #reallifeleslieknope @dcdpr @noma.bid @dcdgs @eckingtonparks @forresterconstruction @nelsonbyrdwoltz @studio27arch @jtruxdc @jub_rogers

A post shared by Stacie West (@estaciedc) on

Thanks to Stacie and Josh for sharing: “Hey, hey! We opened DC’s newest park today! Alethia Tanner Park (227 Harry Thomas Way, NE), named by popular community suggestion and vote, freed herself from slavery in 1810 by selling produce in Lafayette Park. She went on to free family members and friends, and help found churches and educational institutions in DC.
Proud to have worked on this amazing project. (more…)

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