“Dear PoPville,
No idea why they were strung up in Soapstone Creek, or what language is used. Perhaps some of your readers will know. One POSSIBLE clue – they were placed near the spot where a Hare Krishna set up a tent last summer. No tent now.”
Ed. Note: These are Tibetan prayer flags right? (more…)
Ed. Note: The following was written by staff of the Rock Creek Conservancy. PoPville is proud to be a media sponsor for 2019.
Hay’s Spring Spotlight on Endangered Species Day
Today, Rock Creek Conservancy is thrilled to announce our new collaboration with PoPville! For those of you who don’t know us, the Conservancy is a local environmental organization and an official philanthropic partner to Rock Creek Park. We are dedicated to restoring Rock Creek and its parks as a natural oasis for all people to appreciate and protect. As we work together, you can expect monthly features from us about all that Rock Creek and Rock Creek Park has to offer and how you can help us restore this unique urban oasis that winds through the heart of our city.
What better way to kick off the relationship than to celebrate Rock Creek’s one and only endangered species — the Hay’s spring amphipod (Stygobromus hayi). These five facts about the Hay’s spring amphipod are sure to impress all the nature lovers at your next networking happy hour.
IMPORTANT: While the facts below are sure to pique your amphipod interests, it is vital that you don’t go searching for them in the wild. There are so few Hay’s spring amphipods left that disturbance to their habitat could easily result in their extinction.
1) Endangered in DC
The Hay’s spring amphipod was first discovered in 1940. Since its discovery, this crustacean has only ever been found in eight small seepage springs along Rock Creek. Because of its small population, sensitivity to urban development, and changes in water quality the animal was officially declared endangered in 1982. (more…)
Beautiful, beautiful Banneker. 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW
official Pool Opening and summer kickoff with Mayor Bowser!
Friday, May 24, 2019 4:00pm -7:00pm Langdon Pool & Spray Park
The D.C. summer tradition is back.
Join DPR and special guest Mayor Muriel Bowser and be among the first residents to officially Jump In on Friday, May 24th!
The day before ALL outdoor pools open, on Saturday, May 25th for Memorial Day Weekend!” (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
My attempts so far, despite including like 3 different agencies, have gone unanswered. It really would be nice to know if there is progress on that part of the trail. It’s been a year.” (more…)
The Soapstone Valley Trail is one of the primary routes I use to go east/west on my Walkabouts. It is looking especially lovely these days and you ought to hit it too from time to time for an easy little hike to restore your soul. It leads right into Rock Creek for even more awesome hikes for those looking for longer excursions.
Have a look: (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Like many before me, I have dug deep into the history of the McMillan Reservoir and Sand Filtration Site. It’s clear that the Bloomindale community is unlikely to agree on what is best for the future of the sand filtration site. However, I’m wondering what efforts, if any have been made to open a 4-6 acre portion of the McMillan Filter Plant, currently owned and operated by The Army Corps of Engineers?
This 4-6 acre space (pictured in attached images) is located adjacent to and Southwest of the McMillan Reservoir beginning at the corner of 1st and Bryant Streets NW. This site, which is on the opposite, west side of 1st St NW from the sand filtration site, is the original location of McMillan Park where the McMillan Fountain once stood. The site is currently fenced off, apparently for security reasons. The portion of the security fence along 1st St NW and Bryant ST NW could be removed with no security risk to the remaining areas of the McMillan Filter Plant. A new security fence could be installed on the western side of this 4-6 acre field. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user John Cochran
“Dear PoPville,
I just wanted to shoot you a quick note asking if you had heard what’s going on at Rock Creek Golf Course… Apparently they have closed the back 9 indefinitely! I love this course and it’s really tragic to me that it has fallen into such disrepair that they just close half the course because it’s easier (and cheaper) than fixing it. I talked to a couple people at the course yesterday but I couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone about what was going on. Any chance you can help?!”
The National Park Service replied the following to me via email: (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erinn Shirley
From the National Parks Service:
“Completion of the new security screening building for the Washington Monument has been delayed for mitigation of possibly contaminated soil in the construction area. The modernization of the monument’s elevator is substantially complete, with just final testing and certification of the safety systems remaining.
The potentially contaminated soil is below the ground surface and poses no risk to public health. The soil in question was likely introduced in the 1880s as the monument was being completed. Due to the necessary mitigation efforts, the reopening of the Washington Monument is now expected to take place in August. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user nici161
Thanks to a reader for passing on her query to DGS about the status of the reopening of the East Potomac Pool:
“Thank you for your inquiry about the modernization of East Potomac Pool, which is currently underway. This email is to provide an update regarding the construction and the pool’s opening.
We want to assure you that providing residents and the patrons of the East Potomac Park with a state of the art new pool; pool deck and pool house is our priority.
The opening of East Potomac Pool is currently scheduled for summer of 2020. This is a delay from our previously communicated timeframe of Summer 2019. The new date and time is due to unforeseen construction circumstances during construction.
During construction, our teams faced several unforeseen circumstances, which included the findings of: (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
Regarding the lot that was to become an SLS Hotel at 5th and Eye St NW. I noticed this flyer (above) on the lot. Turning this city owned parking lot into a park would be a great idea.”
Think it’s realistically possible?
5th and I Street, NW currently: (more…)