parks

Yards Park Water Features Temporarily Closed Due to Damage from Heavy Rains

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

From The Yards Park:

“The Yards Park Canal Basin splash pool, waterfall, and fountains are a favorite destination for kids and adults alike in the Capitol Riverfront. With Memorial Day just around the corner, we wanted to give you an update on their status in the wake of the record rainfall and subsequent flooding that hit the DC region and our neighborhood as well. At the heaviest point during the rainfall, our pump room was flooded. The equipment designed to keep the water features clean and safe was damaged. We are working diligently to determine whether these pumps can be fixed, or must be replaced. At this point, we have removed two of the pumps to have them inspected and reconditioned.

While we hoped to have features available for Memorial Day, unfortunately this won’t be the case. At this point, we do not have an exact time for when the water features will be operational. Our goal is to find a long-term solution and to take steps that will prevent this kind of incident from happening again in the future.

Like you, we are disappointed that the water features are down, but we are committed to have them in working order as soon as possible. In the meantime, we encourage you to enjoy other fun things in the neighborhood including our Friday Night Concerts, the Riverwalk Trail, and the 42-jet fountain in nearby Canal Park. Please check The Yards Park website (www.yardspark.org) where we will provide updates on our progress.”

11th Annual Bloomingdale Community Day & Yard Sale this Saturday from 8:00am-2pm

By Prince Of Petworth

Crispus Attucks Park

From an email:

“Please come out for tomorrow’s 11th annual Bloomingdale Community Day & Yard Sale in Crispus Attucks Park.

Crispus Attucks is the 1.3 acre green community park bordered by the unit blocks of U and V Streets NW and the 2000 blocks of North Capitol & 1st Streets in the heart of Bloomingdale.

We currently have over 30 vendors signed up who will be selling everything from jewelry to lightly used home goods. The event will also once again feature the “Taste of Bloomingdale” with a presence from a wide variety of local restaurants. We will even have a band!

Crispus Attucks is operated and maintained by Crispus Attucks Development Corporation, a non-profit organization made up entirely of volunteers. 100% of the proceeds paid by vendors for a space at tomorrow’s event as well as that raised by food sales will directly support park upkeep and maintenance.

We hope to see you tomorrow! You may find a “needful thing”… or even the love of your life. But we’ll never know if you don’t show up!”

Awesome District Posters Vol. 3 – Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens – Also Check Out National Park Posters on Display at the Department of the Interior

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to @BDdesigns for tweeting us the awesome poster above. It’s part of the See America parks campaign.

And thanks to a reader for sending word about POSTERity: WPS’s Art Legacy & America’s Public Lands. The U.S. Department of the Interior Museum is exhibiting iconic national park posters old and new: (more…)

Long Established De Facto Soccer Field Taken Over by Newly Planted Trees – Cool or Not?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Piney Branch Parkway at 17th Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

In the last few days a bunch of trees have been planted in an area of rock creek park that has been used as an informal soccer field for many years. This field is the open grassy area along Piney Branch just north of the Woodner.

I’d be interested in finding out more about the thought process for selecting this area for new trees. Were there any consultations with the public about the best use for this space. Is also like to know what your readers think about planting the trees in an area that has organically become a popular area for public use.”

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Rock Creek Park Cleanup Saturday April 5th

By Prince Of Petworth

Rock Creek

From an email:

“Rock Creek Park Extreme Cleanup Call for Volunteers and Leaders

On April 5, Rock Creek Conservancy — with your help­ — will have cleanup events at 70+ sites all over the Rock Creek watershed. In the past five years, volunteers have collected a combined total of over 12,000 bags of litter, 60 tons of junk, 800 tires, and 35,000 plastic bags. As a result of these efforts, many locations are much cleaner than before. This will be the sixth annual cleanup, and we need your help to make it the best ever. We want you alongside us this April.

What: Our goal is a total stream cleanup of Rock Creek and its tributaries, the parks connected to Rock Creek, and the neighborhoods near Rock Creek where trash originates.
Where: Check out our Extreme Cleanup map to find a volunteer site near you. Most popular locations accessible by public transportation: Woodley Park Metro (Red Line); buses: Circulator, 96, L1, L2.
When: Saturday, April 5, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Why: Our goal is a total stream cleanup of Rock Creek and its tributaries, the parks connected to Rock Creek, and the neighborhoods near Rock Creek where trash originates.”

 

The 13 Greatest Outdoor Spaces in the District

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

To attempt to atone for last week’s unforgivable omission of Rock Creek Park – here are the 13 greatest outdoor spaces in DC (excluding the Mall and anyone who has a roof deck). This list was in no way influenced by the consumption of FEW Rye Whiskey:

13. Rock Creek Park, obviously, but also the streets that surround her in Forest Hills and Crestwood especially
12. Smaller parks – Meridian Hill Park, Lincoln Park, Crispus Attucks Park
11. All the circles but especially Grant and his gorgeous tree, of course
10. St. Elizabeth’s Campus and the view from the nearby Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
9. That little grotto by the Capitol
8. Hains Point
7. Hillwood and Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
6. Kingman Island, Teddy Roosevelt Island
5. By our rivers – Yards Park, Georgetown Waterfront, SW Waterfront river trail
4. Franciscan monastery
3. Rock Creek Cemetery, Congressional Cemetery
2. Arboretum
1. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

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