parks

“National Park Service Seeks Input on Project to Improve Accessibility for the Thomas Jefferson Memorial”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Brandon Kopp

From NPS:

“The National Park Service is accepting comments from the public on a proposed project to improve physical, interpretive and programmatic accessibility at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial for visitors with mobility, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. Comments are being accepted at go.nps.gov/JeffersonAccessibility through December 1.

A public meeting to introduce and answer questions about the project will be held at the American Association of People with Disabilities office (2013 H Street NW) on Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. National Park Service officials will make a presentation about the project and be available for questions. Comment forms will be available. American Sign Language and CART services will be available at the meeting as well as a tactile model and audio description; additional accommodations can be made by contacting the National Park Service at 202-245-4660 or via email at [email protected].

There are a variety of barriers to accessibility that currently exist at the Jefferson Memorial, including car parking and bus drop-off; layout of walkways and sidewalks; means of accessing the chamber level of the memorial; and lack of accessible exhibit design, which together create an unequal experience for all visitors interested in learning about one of America’s foremost Founding Fathers. As a first step, the project will develop alternatives to improve, modify, and/or create universal accessibility at the site and analyze potential impacts of those alternatives on the historic fabric of the memorial and the surrounding environment. (more…)

“we have been eager to get this parkland in ship-shape for the local community as well as local wildlife”

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“We’re excited to announce that there will be a ribbon cutting this weekend at the Piney Branch picnic grove. Join us this Saturday as we celebrate the rehabilitation of the area, including the installation of a new grill. As the site of the only walkable picnic grove on the East side of the park, we have been eager to get this parkland in ship-shape for the local community as well as local wildlife. Now we can say we are well on our way!

Some of you have volunteered at this site before, and many of you have donated funds that have helped us rehabilitate the area. So, we’d like to invite all of you to the ribbon cutting! We’ll be kicking off the day with a volunteer planting at 9AM, followed by a picnic and ribbon cutting at 11AM. Please head to our events page to sign up and let us know you’re coming (and don’t forget to bring a picnic!) (more…)

Park picnic rules – not allowed to set up for a picnic on one of the picnic tables?!?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

“Dear PoPville,

Walking through Kalorama Park today when I overheard one of the Kalorama Rec Center staff telling a woman she technically was not allowed to set up for a picnic on one of the picnic tables. The woman had laid out a tablecloth and a few plates to hold it down and was explaining that her family would be there shortly. The DC Parks lady was adamant that this was not ok, though she would allow it this time, and saying that permission needed to be asked, or maybe that she couldn’t set it up without others being there? Are there rules I don’t know about here? (more…)

National Park Service Donated “breast meat from 116 resident Canada geese to D.C. Central Kitchen last week”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jim Havard

From the National Park Service:

“The National Park Service (NPS) along with the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment donated the breast meat from 116 resident Canada geese to D.C. Central Kitchen last week. The meat will be used in the healthy meals D.C. Central Kitchen prepares daily for multiple nonprofit partners, including homeless shelters, rehabilitation clinics and after school programs.

The geese were captured and euthanized from Anacostia Park in early July as part of the park’s wetland management efforts. The meat was tested, deemed safe for consumption and 100 pounds of breast meat was donated to D.C. Central Kitchen.

“Receiving the donated breast meat last year allowed our organization to provide healthy meals to over 400 people around the city and this year we plan to do the same,” said Amy Bachman director of procurement and sustainability. (more…)

D.C.’s Public Golf Courses “Looking at a capital investment of $30-40 million!!”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

Found this by chance, but it looks like the National Park Service entered into a partnership/lease agreement with the Federal City Council (run by former mayor Tony Williams along with DC corporate big wigs).

Looking at a capital investment of $30-40 million across all three courses (including a driving range at Rock Creek!!)

National Park Service Golf Course Announcement (PDF)

Who knows when/what will happen, but formal partnership/lease starts January 2019.”

Check out a press releasefrom GolfDC after the jump. (more…)

“National Park Service Finalizes Concept Plan for Buzzard Point Park”

By Prince Of Petworth

From NPS:

“The National Park Service (NPS) has released a Final Development Concept Plan for Buzzard Point Park, which includes ideas from the public on how to create an enjoyable and unique community waterfront park.

Through public engagement, the NPS gathered the best ideas for re-imagining Buzzard Point Park as a peaceful retreat for both recreation and relaxation. This process identified many exciting new opportunities for the park’s 3.5 acres with designs drawing from the native marshlands historically located along the shoreline.

The NPS developed two initial concepts for the park’s design. Both concepts incorporate the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail into the design. In Concept 1, the trail would follow the shoreline and be surrounded by landscape features. Concept 2 places the trail above the river on an elevated structure.

Other design elements include uninterrupted access to the river’s edge, a pedestrian promenade, a kayak launch, grass dunes, open lawn areas, restrooms and other facilities. Both concepts incorporate facilities to test a kayak sharing program and open spaces for a variety of play, educational and interpretive opportunities. (more…)

Lineup for the 2017 Lotus and Water Lily Festival this Saturday!!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Amy Doyel

From the National Parks Service:

“WHAT: See stunning beauty and experience diverse Latin, Asian and African traditions at the annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival. Join the National Park Service for the kickoff of the weeklong festival that celebrates diverse cultures and welcomes new audiences to the park.

WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2017; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave NE

Performance Lineup (more…)

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