parks

“Did you know there is a National Park in DC with roller skating? Now you do.”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Samuel Dixon Photography

Thanks to Samuel Dixon Photography for sharing his great photos. You can check out the rest of the pictures at his site here.

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Samuel Dixon Photography

From NPS:

“Can you remember the last time you laced up a pair of roller skates? Make new memories with this ‘fun for the whole family’ activity. Skate rentals are free! And on summer weekends you can dance to DJ music as you enjoy this open air roller rink. This is the one and only roller skating rink in the National Park Service!

Season:

Free skate rentals are available seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rates: Roller skates are free to check out with a valid I.D. Call (202) 472-3884 for availability.

Directions

The skating pavilion is located at 1500 Anacostia Drive SE, Washington, D.C., near the DC-295 and Pennsylvania Ave. SE interchange. Via DC-295, exit onto eastbound Pennsylvania Ave. SE, take the first right onto Fairlawn Ave. SE, then the first right onto Nicholson Drive SE, right onto Anacostia Drive, then proceed to the parking area.

Public Transportation

Visit WMATA for fares and route details.
Bus: The U2, V7, and V9 buses service the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. SE and Fairlawn Drive. From that corner, walk west on Fairlawn, turn right onto Nicholson Drive, right on Anacostia Drive, and then straight to the skating pavilion.

Metro: Exit at Potomac Ave. station on the Blue/Orange/Silver lines. Walk southeast along Pennsylvania Ave. SE, and cross the bridge. If crossing from the north side of the bridge, immediately after crossing the bridge, turn left to follow the trail to Anacostia Drive and continue straight to the right to the skating pavilion. If crossing the south side of the bridge, immediately after crossing the bridge, follow the path to the right to Anacostia Drive, then turn right on Anacostia Drive and continue straight to the skating pavilion.”

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Samuel Dixon Photography

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Samuel Dixon Photography

“The National Park Service has cleared the way for the transformation of Franklin Park into an active, flexible, sustainable and historic urban park” in 2017

By Prince Of Petworth

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13th and K Street, NW

Ed. Note: We spoke about the difficulties in Franklin Square back in 2011.

From the National Parks Service:

“The National Park Service has cleared the way for the transformation of Franklin Park (also known as Franklin Square) into an active, flexible, sustainable and historic urban park, finding that this effort will not adversely impact the natural or cultural resources of the park, which dates to 1832. (more…)

A Very Generous Interpretation

By Prince Of Petworth

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This pocket park was home to the protest benches back in 2009. Other controversy surrounding the park revolved around complaints of drinking, drug use and other crime. That being said – calling this a park does feel like stretching the truth a bit:

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What was planned:

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The Heurich House Museum Taking over the Sonny Bono Pocket Park – Check out the Plans and a Rendering

By Prince Of Petworth

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1330 New Hampshire Ave, NW

In response to a Dupont listerv question:

“The Heurich House Museum has just adopted the park and will be taking over care and maintenance of the Sonny Bono Park.

In a somewhat mixed blessing, at the beginning of the season, someone (not us) cleared out the old plantings, added a bunch of topsoil, and added new grass and plants. While it was helpful to have the old plantings and bushes removed, the soil and plant addition were not done properly, which is why they look the way they do today.

We have a wonderful garden planned for the space, and will be started to clear the property soon to make way for the new work.”

From an email:

“If people want to donate, they can send us checks (1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036) or donate on our website (www.heurichhouse.org) and add a note that they are directing the donation to Sonny Bono Park. We will also be creating a Kickstarter-type website for donations that should launch within the next 2 weeks.”

Check out the plans:

Sonny Bono Pocket Park Plans (PDF)

Future Sonny Bono Park rendering:

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Graffiti in Meridian Hill park

By Prince Of Petworth

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Ed. Note: Graffiti intentionally whited out to limit exposure

“Dear PoPville,

The parks department has been doing a great job keeping Meridian Hill Park looking good this year. It’s so disappointing to see that vandalism with graffiti that is starting to show up. Overall it feels like this type of vandalism is on the rise again in DC. Do you know what if anything the DC police are doing about this?”

Are others noting a rise in graffiti around town?

Ed. Note: Park Police are in charge of preventing crime in the park not MPD (DC) police.

What’s Up With the Giant Puddle at the New Carter Woodson Park in Shaw?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Just wanted to pass along a pretty disappointing photo. The Carter G. Woodson Park was recently completed in Shaw at a cost of over $1 million. It is a beautiful space and a great addition to the neighborhood. However, after every storm, a sizable portion of the park floods due to poor drainage. Many of the new plants are already showing damage. It is a shame that the landscapers didn’t anticipate this problem. Hopefully, it can be fixed soon and the park can live on for many years as it was intended.”

Ed. Note: When I first saw one of these giant puddles in Petworth years ago, I was confused too but was told it was perfectly normal that it was just a rain garden intended to collect water like this. Isn’t this same thing?

Check Out the K Street Parklet

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Behold, DC’s first long-term parklet! It doesn’t seem like the most relaxing location but people are using it.”

A Golden Triangle BID’s press release says:

“Passers-by on K Street in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District will soon have a new outdoor space. A parklet, which is a mini-park created by extending the existing sidewalk, will transform two parking spaces into a playful, energetic area in front of 2020 K St., NW.

The parklet, named parKIT, was created by two Gensler designers who won an in-house design competition. The BID and Gensler will hold small activities in the park each week through the rest of the summer with a theme of “Making the City.”

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“Turkey Thicket bans children from the pool from 6:30 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm Monday through Friday”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Turkey Thicket Recreation Center located at 1000 N Michigan Ave, NE

“Dear PoPville,

Just saw this on the Brookland Listserv. Insane:

Turkey Thicket bans children from the pool from 6:30 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm Monday through Friday (pool is closed on Sunday). This policy even affects the children’s pool – which has been empty since the policy was implemented. The pool claims it gets too crowded yet instead of implementing a first-come, first-serve policy, the pool has decided it is best to ban families. Families who go to the pool to teach children to swim are told to use the splash park. When temperatures rise to dangerous levels – especially for young children – families are told to go outside and use the splash park. No other D.C. public pool has this policy. Turkey Thicket is one of the few pools easily accessible by metro & bus.”

Via email DPR says:

“We are evaluating our popular summer programming at the pool. We will alert residents with any changes and updates.”

Ed. Note: A couple years ago we spoke about a swimmer who was banned for wearing a swim shirt here.

Kenilworth Water Lilies getting some Postal Service Love – Also the Awesome Lotus and Water Lily Festival at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is Saturday!!

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

From a press release:

“Four new postage stamps featuring the water lilies of Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens are springing up in homes and businesses across the country. Issued this year by the U.S. Postal Service, each stamp depicts a midsummer close-up of one of four classic garden water lilies cultivated at Kenilworth’s gardens.

“These stamps, like the lilies themselves, are more than simply stunning,” National Park Service Superintendent Gopaul Noojibail said. “They shine a spotlight on more than a century of plant propagation and wetlands protections in the northeast corner of Washington, DC. You really have to visit this national park in person to gain a full appreciation for the innovative work taking place here.”

The water lily stamps are available in booklet form online and at post offices across the U.S. See the originals in person now, as the bloom season enters full swing at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. Water lilies are aquatic herbs that live in both temperate and tropical climates around the world; they are found in still freshwater habitats.

The blooms are still spectacular in early July, making this a great season to visit. On July 11, the National Park Service will hold the annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival with support from our cooperating association Eastern National and park partner, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The festival showcases the spectacular display of lotus and water lilies in full bloom and the cultural connections that these plants foster. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can take part in a day of free music, educational programs, art, hands-on activities, and more. The water lily stamps and other products that showcase those stamps will be available for purchase at the festival. Find more information at www.nps.gov/keaq.

Public transportation is the best way to get to the Lotus and Water Lily Festival. A free shuttle service will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the Minnesota Ave Metro station on Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. Parking at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is very limited; satellite parking and a free shuttle service are available at Kenilworth Park and Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center.

The only National Park Service site devoted entirely to the propagation and display of aquatic plants, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is known worldwide for its unique landscape and botanical, educational, and recreational contributions. Ongoing programs introduce visitors to the lush aquatic vegetation and habitat thriving along the marshes just east of the Anacostia River. Find Your Park at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Kenilworth Ave NE, Washington, DC, 20019.”

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