parks

Celebrate Earth Month by Helping Clean Up Rock Creek – “The Extreme Cleanup” is April 13th

By Prince Of Petworth

From Rock Creek Conservancy:

“Spring has officially sprung, and Rock Creek Conservancy invites you to get outside and clean up your favorite parks during the 11th Annual Extreme Cleanup. The main event will take place between 10 AM and 4 PM on April 13th with satellite cleanups occurring every weekend throughout April.

Every year, the Extreme Cleanup mobilizes thousands of people to remove litter from more than 70 sites along the 33-mile length of Rock Creek in conjunction with Alice Ferguson Foundation’s Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup Day. The goal is a total people-powered stream cleanup of Rock Creek and its tributaries. (more…)

“Is there an update on the fencing/grass revitalization of the southern half of the mall in Meridian Hill Park?”

By Prince Of Petworth

Like the fountains, unfortunately this is a question we discuss annually.

“Dear PoPville,

Is there an update on the fencing/grass revitalization of the southern half of the mall in Meridian Hill Park? A couple years ago, NPS fenced off the northern half of the mall and the grass made a comeback, but this year neighborhood dog owners have been using the fenced off area as a dog park and the area has become more of a dirt pit than it already was. It would be nice to have grass up there again, so more people could enjoy the park.

Although it’s unclear, it seems like the plan was to fence off the southern half to minimize foot traffic so the grass could come back; it also seems unlikely that NPS intended to make the area a dog park, considering that signs in the park say dogs are required to be on a leash at all times. But, until NPS prevents dog owners from letting their dogs off leash within the fenced area, I don’t see how the grass will have a chance to take root again.”

“options for an outdoor party with grill in a DC park?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

“Dear PoPville,

My organization would like to have a summer gathering at a DC park where we can grill. Are there any good options beside Rock Creek park? We’d like to be metro accessible if possible.

We have done Virginia Highlands park in Pentagon City in the past, but wanted to be in DC proper this year. Thanks!”

“Senate Passes Bill to Allow D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park and Other NPS-Owned D.C. Parks”

By Prince Of Petworth

C’mon House!!

From a press release:

“The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the U.S. Senate today passed a federal lands package that contains Norton’s bill that clarifies that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements (CMAs) to maintain and operate NPS properties in the District, such as Franklin Park. The Senate lands package was introduced by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Last Congress, Norton and Murkowski introduced the stand-alone versions of the D.C.-NPS CMA bill. The rehabilitation of Franklin Park would be funded through a public-private partnership between NPS, the D.C. government and the Downtown Business Improvement District. Under current federal law, NPS has the authority to enter into CMAs with states and cities, and Norton’s bill makes clear that D.C. is included under this authority. (more…)

“This bill is a win-win for the District and the federal government by allowing the rehabilitation of a major NPS-owned park in downtown D.C.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Norton Announces Senate Lands Package Includes Her Bill to Allow D.C. to Work with NPS to Make Improvements to Franklin Park

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that a federal lands package introduced by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) contains Norton’s bill that clarifies that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements (CMAs) to maintain and operate NPS properties in the District, such as Franklin Park. Last Congress, Murkowski introduced the Senate companion to Norton’s bill. The rehabilitation of Franklin Park would be funded through a public-private partnership between NPS, the D.C. government and the Downtown Business Improvement District. (more…)

“Oh yeah? That’s because I’m a white person. I’m not Japanese or Mexican.”

By Prince Of Petworth


2630 Adams Mill Rd NW Walter Pierce Park from Calvert Street entrance

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to share a disturbing exchange I had this morning at the Walter Pierce Dog Park. I’m a half Chinese woman in my 30s. I was there around 8:00am when a man walks in with a throwing stick and kicks a park toy near my dog while making kissing sounds. Something is immediately off (his posture, the way he’s looking at my dog) and I glance around and see he is not accompanied by his own dog. (more…)

“NoMa Parks Foundation to Open Swampoodle Park on Nov. 17”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Cody

Huzzah!! I’ve been having lots of folks asking for updates on this.

From a press release:

“Calling all kids and their canine friends! The NoMa Parks Foundation will celebrate the completion of Swampoodle Park with an inaugural Wallholla climb and dog procession on the morning of Saturday, November 17, at 11:00 a.m. Located at the intersection of 3rd and L streets NE, the 8,000-plus-square-foot park — previously a vacant lot for which condominiums were once planned — offers a play structure for children, a dedicated space for dogs, and public seating, as well as trees and other plantings. Swampoodle Park was designed by District landscape architecture firm Lee and Associates, with substantial input from the NoMa community provided through multiple public meetings and surveys. (more…)

Opera Outside Returns to Meridian Hill Park on Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from last year by Stan Engebretson

From an email:

“Following in the footsteps of last year’s inaugural Opera Outside event, Washington Concert Opera (WCO) will stage another performance this year again at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park in partnership with Washington Parks & People. The performance is free to the public and will take place at 11:00 am on October 27th, 2018 near the Joan of Arc statue on the top field. Attendees are encouraged to come early to reserve a good spot and bring a picnic blanket. Children and dogs are welcome. (more…)

BREAKING: “The Noyes Armillary Sphere at Meridian Hill Park is coming back!!”

By Prince Of Petworth


via National Park Service

Thanks to Rick for sharing this incredibly exciting news from the National Park Service:

“The National Park Service has scheduled an informational meeting on October 17, 2018 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Library (3160 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20010) to present details about upcoming restoration work at Meridian Hill Park. Meridian Hill Park, a National Historic Landmark located at 15th St. & Euclid St., NW, Washington, DC, initially opened to the public in 1936. The newest phase of rehabilitation and restoration work, expected to start in fall 2019, will focus primarily on the park’s Lower Plaza–including (more…)

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