parks

“a spill of insulating oil to Rock Creek along Beach Drive, immediately south of Klingle Road NW”

By Prince Of Petworth

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map via DOEE

Thanks to a reader for passing on the warning.

From DOEE:

“September 4, 2015—This morning, a team of inspectors from the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), National Park Service (NPS) and Pepco discovered a spill of insulating oil to Rock Creek along Beach Drive, immediately south of Klingle Road NW.

The source of the insulating oil spill is believed to be a leak in a Pepco transmission line. Pepco has isolated and contained the immediate spill area and is currently working to pinpoint the exact location of the leak and make repairs to the transmission line.

The insulating oil is classified as non-toxic. However, to ensure the health and safety of all park visitors, including pets, contact with this area of Rock Creek should be avoided until further notice.

DOEE, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will continue to monitor the situation and are coordinating with Pepco to ensure the spill is properly contained and remediated.”

The Washington Post reports:

“On Sunday, Sean Kelly, a Pepco spokesman, said that the source of the leak had been “clamped” but that repair work and environmental clean-up would continue for weeks.”

Big Plans for East Potomac Pool at Hains Point?

By Prince Of Petworth

potomac pool
Photo by PoPville flickr user nici161

Last week when we spoke about the summer pool closure schedule a commenter mentioned big plans for the East Potomac Pool including possibly a two year closure. I’m trying to get details from DPR but in the meantime they tweet this tease this morning:

“DPR’s Aquatics Director and the Capital Projects team at @dcdpr and @dcdgs review design plans for East Potomac Pool.”

Stay tuned for updates.

“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.”

Parklet 1

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