parks

“Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain at the entrance to Union Station is competing for a share of $2 million in grants – public is encouraged to vote for their favorite parks today through July 5”

By Prince Of Petworth

union-station-2
Photo by PoPville flickr user Ian Livingston

Now that the inside is looking good… From a press release:

“Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) and the National Park Service’s National Mall and Memorial Parks announced today that the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain at the entrance to Union Station is competing for a share of $2 million in grants under the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Partners in Preservation program. In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, the 2016 Partners in Preservation: National Parks campaign will award grants to historic sites in need of preservation within national parks, as decided by popular vote. Partners in Preservation is a community-based partnership of American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This is the first national campaign in the program’s 10-year history. (more…)

“DOEE to hold free family fishing event Saturday”

By Prince Of Petworth

family fishing

From DOEE:

“On May 14, more than 300 kids and volunteer fishing instructors will take to a specially stocked part of the C&O Canal near Fletcher’s Boathouse for the Department of Energy and Environment’s 9th annual Family & Youth Casting Call.

The Family and Youth Casting Call provides DC-area youth the opportunity to try their hand at fishing with the assistance of free expert instructors. Bait and loaner fishing gear are provided at no cost. In addition to fishing, the event includes several environmental education activities from fish printing and knot tying to fly casting and fly tying instruction. There will also be a fish planking demonstration and the opportunity for participants to learn about the American Shad, an important native fish. Local conservation organizations will be on hand to provide information on the District’s local aquatic resources and how residents can get involved in preserving and protecting these important environmental assets. (more…)

Well this could be awesome – Zen Garden for 13th and Quincy St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

zen-garden

Thanks to Vann-Di M. Galloway, DTM, Commissioner, Single Member District 4C06 for sharing:

“The Department of Parks and Recreation has plans for the property bound by 13th Street, Kansas Avenue and Quincy Street, NW. The District proposes turning the rarely used triangular plot into a ‘Zen Garden Space’ with a north-south permeable walkway and a recessed circle with a stone wall for sitting.”

Check out the full PDF of the plans: DPR-Zen-Presentation

Capitol Riverfront BID Responds: “A BYOB option is not possible under the park insurance policy, without which we could not offer the concerts”

By Prince Of Petworth

riverfront row
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Wilfong

Capitol Riverfront BID has released A Letter from the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District:

“Good afternoon:

We are writing to you as patrons and supporters of the Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series at Yards Park. We want to thank everyone who has attended the concert series and made it and Yards Park such a popular riverfront destination. The park has become what the creators of the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan envisioned back in 2003 – an opportunity for all to enjoy access to the Anacostia River through a beautiful public park.

Over the past five years, the popularity of the concerts has soared. Back in the summer of 2011, crowds averaged 100 people. Now the concerts routinely top 3,000 attendees, with one concert attracting over 5,000. As we continually evaluate the operation of the park and the concert series, we have considered annually whether the BYOB option is consistent with our park operations, and also whether it is operationally sustainable and insurable.

We discussed the likely changes with city officials and Capitol Riverfront stakeholders. The decision to omit the BYOB option, which occurred prior to any sponsorship decisions, was made for several important reasons, including: (more…)

“Farragut Fridays” Return this Friday

By Prince Of Petworth

farragut

From a press release:

“The cherry blossoms are gone, and the temperatures are rising, which means another D.C. summer is almost here. The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) kicks off the first of 22 Farragut Fridays on May 6, in Farragut Square Park at Connecticut Avenue and K Street NW. Last year, more than 39,000 people attended Farragut Fridays.

Farragut Fridays is a free outdoor summer event that brings together area workers, residents, and visitors to enjoy innovative activities in one of the city’s most well-known parks. Throughout the day, people can use the free Wi-Fi at Outdoor Office (9–11 a.m., 3–5 p.m.), enjoy a variety of activities at Picnic in the Park (Noon–2 p.m.), and spread out their blankets for an election-themed Golden Cinema (Sunset). The complete schedule of activities and movie titles can be found at goldentriangledc.com/farragutfridays.

Grab some lunch and enjoy a Picnic in the Park with the unique pop-up experiences coming each week — from programming courses to musical performances and some adoptable puppy playtime.

The pop-up schedule includes: (more…)

“NoMa Is Getting Land for Yet Another Park”

By Prince Of Petworth

NoMa Green with Option

From a press release:

“The NoMa Parks Foundation, an affiliate of the NoMa Business Improvement District, announced today that it will acquire its third parcel, an approximately half acre site at the intersection of R Street, NE, and the popular Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT). This acquisition has been accomplished through a collaboration with Foulger-Pratt Development and with strong support from Pepco from whom the parcel was acquired. No funds from the Foundation’s original $50 million NoMa Parks grant will be required to close on this important parcel. Instead, Foulger-Pratt will donate the parcel and will also provide the NoMa Parks Foundation with certain design consultation rights as well as other community benefits. Ultimately, the new park will be transferred to the District of Columbia Government.

This acquisition of additional land to improve the MBT and provide additional park space was first envisioned in a joint study of the MBT executed by the NoMa BID, the Metropolitan Police Department and the District Department of Transportation in 2015. That study recommended straightening the “Z-turn” at R Street as an important public safety measure, among other things. “Adding this new land is so important to improving the MBT and assuring another fabulous park experience for the residents of the NoMa neighborhood and all of Northeast. We look forward to partnering with the community to plan this new green space,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, president of the NoMa Parks Foundation.

Foulger-Pratt will be developing a residential and retail project on the balance of the property bounded by the Foundation’s previously-acquired 2-acre park to the south, Harry Thomas Way on the west, and R Street to the north. (more…)

And Big News for (Hungry) Glen Echo Park Fans

By Prince Of Petworth

glen_echo_park
Photo by PoPville flickr user Gary House

From a press release:

“Chef/owners Susan Limb and Patrick Musel announce the opening of Praline Bakery & Bistro at historic Glen Echo Park. The concept will be quick service/casual with items such as sandwiches, soups, quiches, salads, freshly popped popcorn and other delicious fare to eat in the café or take out. They will also offer a kid-friendly menu and full-service catering for onsite events. The café will be located next to Glen Echo Park’s historic Spanish Ballroom and will open around Glen Echo Park’s ‘Family Day’ on April 30th. (more…)

“New chairs & tables at Franklin Square”

By Prince Of Petworth

26577655445_6386c1646e_z

A reader reports:

“They updated Franklin Square today with red cafe tables and chairs. Great for the crowds that picnic there during lunch.

These tables were part of the NPS proposals for updating that park, it seems like they decided not to wait for the park renovation to add them.”

25974579443_2f3d08fc51_z
14th and K Street, NW

Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 23 – Volunteers Needed

By Prince Of Petworth

rock creek cleanup

From a press release:

“The Eighth Annual Rock Creek Extreme Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 23, from 9 am to 12 pm.  Rock Creek Conservancy is seeking volunteers to remove trash and debris at over 75 locations along the 33-mile length of Rock Creek. Our goal is total stream cleanup of Rock Creek and its tributaries, the parks connected to Rock Creek, and the neighborhoods near Rock Creek where trash originates. (more…)

“AstroTurf on Kingman Island?!”

By Prince Of Petworth

26400164236_887ff61df1_z

Update from Living Classrooms Foundation:

“To clarify~ the items on site belong to our partner REI and are there temporarily as props to support the REI stage at the bluegrass festival on 4/30. The astroturf and potted trees will be removed from the island after the festival. REI brings hundreds of volunteers to help clean up the island each April (including 300 volunteers this weekend!). Funds raised from the bluegrass festival (a zero-waste event) go directly to support hands-on education programming for inner-city youth. To learn more about Living Classrooms’ education and job-training programs, visit www.livingclassrooms.org. Thanks for your concern, but you don’t have anything to worry about – we all have Kingman’s best interest at heart! Hope to see you on April 30th on Kingman Island!”

“Dear PoPville,

Although I’ve never seen any education programming, I thought that Kingman Island was supposed to be an environmental classroom – partly because the Kingman Island Bluegrass festival claims to be raising money for environmental education on the island.

Recently I’ve noticed that a large number of trees have been cut down and replaced with grass, non-native trees, and AstroTurf.

25823299403_5e3aaba99c_z

Yes. AstroTurf. (more…)

View More Stories