“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 Note: I believe tennis and golf were since rescinded] gardening, and other activities where all participants comply with Social Distancing Requirements and there is no person-to-person contact.”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
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: (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. (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. (more…)