“Dear PoPville,
We’re looking to do outdoor day trips/hikes but having a hard time finding options or actually what is open.I’m assuming people aren’t sharing bc they don’t want it to get crowded but is there a way to check easily? Each park site is confusing and I don’t know what is closed?”
1869 – courtesy United States Botanic Garden
From the United States Botanic Garden:
“Today is the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Botanic Garden! Created in 1820, the Garden is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States. From desert cacti to tropical palms to colorful orchids, they grow more than 65,000 plants from across the United States and around the world. (more…)
From DC Water:
“The National Park Service (NPS) has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) and approved DC Water’s proposed Soapstone Valley Park Sewer Rehabilitation Project. Soapstone Valley Park is managed by Rock Creek Park and is located southeast of the intersection of Connecticut Avenue NW and Albemarle Street NW, extending to Broad Branch Road NW.
DC Water has determined that the Soapstone Valley Park sanitary sewer system has exceeded its design life and is in need of rehabilitation. Through this project, DC Water will rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure within Soapstone Valley Park while limiting disturbances to park resources.
The EA described a No Action Alternative and a Trenchless Alternative (DC Water’s Preferred Alternative) for the proposed project and identified and evaluated the impacts on natural and historic resources from implementing these alternatives. The NPS has selected the Trenchless Alternative for the project.
The proposed project will involve the following: (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I just had the most disturbing experience in Rock Creek Park. I was walking on the trail when a runner came up behind me and took both hands and shoved me off the trail. I stumbled and almost fell, as he kept running. I yelled after him that this is not a time to be touching people, and he screamed that I should have gotten out of his way as he came up behind me, and I was in the middle of the trail. (more…)
Thanks to Jenn and John for sending the hawklets and mom from near the Klingle Valley Trail.
And I about dropped my coffee when I saw these owlets: (more…)
Photo over the weekend at Lincoln Park by Stuart E. Allen
Ed. Note: On Friday we noted an increased police and National Guard presence at NPS run parks like Lincoln Park and Meridian Hill Park.
Ed. Note also: Per the Mayor’s Stay at Home Orders: “Allowable Recreational Activities means outdoor activity with household members that complies with Social Distancing Requirements, as defined in section IV.8 of this Order, and includes the sanitizing of any equipment used both before and after the activity. Outdoor activities should not be conducted with persons other than those from one’s own household.
Examples: Walking, hiking, running, dog-walking, biking, rollerblading, scootering, skateboarding, playing tennis, golfing, [Ed. Note: I believe tennis and golf were since rescinded] gardening, and other activities where all participants comply with Social Distancing Requirements and there is no person-to-person contact.”
Brett reports: “I was kicked out of Lincoln Park this morning by Nat’l Guard for doing solo workout. I’m confused as to the guidelines but want to respect those who are working to limit the spread of COVID. Are parks completely off limits? (more…)
On Satruday the Mayor’s Office announced:
“Mayor Bowser announced that starting this week, the National Park Service (NPS) and the United States Park Police (USPP) will close Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park and roads in Anacostia Park and Fort Dupont Park to vehicle traffic so that residents can access these roads for essential exercise. (more…)
Thanks to Brett for sending the above from Lincoln Park in Capitol Hill: “Not fooling around in Lincoln Park today + 3 cop cars parked in the park.”
And thanks to Kazi for sending the below: “DC Police and DC National guard making sure people keep their distance and only doing recreational activities at Meridian Hill Park.” (more…)
So cool, thanks to Matt for sending this find from Rock Creek Park.
If you have a photo of a neat find from your house or place of work please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail.com thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.
Before it was cleaned up: (more…)
#StayHomeDC pic.twitter.com/7RfwGvYHaN
— Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) March 31, 2020
