Chris from Mt. Pleasant writes:
Big storm rains Sunday morning.
After putting in just north of Sherrill Drive, I paddled down to Military Rd and just north of Pierce Mill.
Having met with two horse mounted NPS rangers who had been working on the park for over 15 years – they both agreed that I was the first SUPer that they had ever seen go down the length of Rock Creek!
“This is a first for Rock Creek Park.”
It’s June 24th! And with the heat we’re gonna get this week, couldn’t be better timing. You can find a list of all DPR pools and hours here.
Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw
From a press release:
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote to National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Steve Whitesell asking NPS to further its efforts to preserve and enhance parks by banning smoking in all NPS units, including parks, sites and trails, in the District of Columbia. Norton cited United States Department of Interior Director Order #50D that provides superintendents with the authority to ban smoking in NPS units.
“Many find smoking in parks to be incompatible with enjoying the fresh air and recreation afforded by our many parks here,” said Norton. “In a city with high rates of bronchitis and asthma, the parks ought to be a refuge from smoking.”
D.C. residents have been working with the D.C. Council on a bill, which is currently pending before the Council, to ban smoking in the city’s parks that are within 25 feet of a playground. However, NPS action is necessary because the majority of parks in the District are owned by NPS and a smoking ban in D.C. parks would have little effect in the District.
The full text of Norton’s letter follows. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s Photos
From DPR:
Minneapolis took top honors in The Trust for Public Land’s 2nd annual ParkScore index, earning the first perfect “5 park bench” rating from the nonprofit organization. Defending champion San Francisco fell from first place to third, and New York improved from third place to second. For the second consecutive year, Fresno, California, was the lowest-rated city park system.
Minneapolis was not rated by ParkScore in 2012 and was included this year because the index expanded to the 50 largest cities in the United States, up from the 40 largest last year. Minneapolis is the 48th largest U.S. city, according to the Census Bureau.
“In Minnesota, safe, attractive, and accessible outdoor spaces are key to our much-valued quality of life. In our cities, we rely upon our parks for individual recreation, family outings, and community activities. I congratulate Minneapolis upon receiving this national recognition for providing our country’s best park system,” said Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.
“The latest ParkScore rankings are further evidence that New York City is the ‘Queen of Green,'” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Not only do we have a huge open space network, but we have one of the best park systems overall. Our sustained investment in building great parks and maintaining them well pays off for City residents and visitors alike, making NYC a great place to live, work, and visit. Look out, Minneapolis-we may be Number 2, but not for long.”
ParkScore ratings are based equally on three factors: Park access, which measures the percentage of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park (approximately 1/2-mile); Park size, which is based on a city’s median park size and the percentage of total city area dedicated to parks; and Services and investment, which combines the number of playgrounds per 10,000 city residents and per capita park spending.
Minneapolis scored strongly on all ParkScore rating factors. With 94 percent of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park, the city received especially high marks for park access. The city’s strong parks budget also boosted its ParkScore rating. New York fared even better on park access, with 96 percent of residents living with within a 10-minute walk of a park. However, New York was hurt by its low median park size, just 1.06 acres compared to Minneapolis’ 6.51-acre median.
“You can’t have a great city without great parks,” said Adrian Benepe, Senior Vice President and Director of City Park Development for The Trust for Public Land. “Parks bring neighbors together and help create a sense of community. They give kids and adults a place to play, walk around, and just relax and experience nature. That’s why we believe that cities with great park systems tend to be healthier and have lower rates of obesity.”
ParkScore uses advanced GIS (geographic information system) computer mapping technology to create digital maps evaluating park accessibility, making it the most realistic assessment system available. Instead of simply measuring distance to a local park, ParkScore’s GIS technology takes into account the location of park entrances and physical obstacles to access. For example, if residents are separated from a nearby park by a major highway, ParkScore does not count the park as accessible to those residents (unless there is a bridge, underpass, or easy access point across the highway).
In addition to the at-a-glance park bench summary rating, ParkScore features an in-depth website that local leaders can use as a roadmap to guide park improvement efforts. The website, parkscore.tpl.org, provides extensive data and analysis that pinpoints the neighborhoods where parks are needed most critically. The website includes interactive maps of each ParkScore city that allow users to zoom in and study park access on a block-by-block basis. The website allows users to browse detailed information about each public park in the 50 cities and to view local obesity rates compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The website is free and open to the public.
“Physical inactivity is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic and a risk factor for many serious and preventable chronic diseases,” said William H. Dietz, MD, PhD, a pediatrician who recently served as Director of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Improving access to places to play is a proven strategy for increasing activity that all municipal leaders should embrace. Parks improve health and prevent disease,” Dietz said.
According to The Trust for Public Land, the 10 highest-ranking city park systems in the United States are:
1. Minneapolis 5.0 park benches
2. New York 4.5 park benches
3. Boston (tie) 4.0 park benches
3. Sacramento (tie) 4.0 park benches
3. San Francisco 4.0 park benches
6. Washington, DC 4.0 park benches
7. Portland 4.0 park benches
8. Virginia Beach 4.0 park benches
9. San Diego 4.0 park benches
10. Seattle 4.0 park benches
Photo of ‘Lotus Festival at the Kenilworth Gardens’ by PoPville flickr user JRoseC
Dear PoPville,
This place is amazing. I didn’t think to take pictures, but it was perfect for the intimate jazz show this morning, great for families or a date, even a picnic. Just past the arboretum through a neighborhood off kenilworth ave.
More info on Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens here. It is awesome! Late June/early July are said to be best times for viewing the lotus flowers. Directions for how to get there are here.
From Council Member Bower’s Office:
We just found out today that the District Department of Parks and Recreation and the Citi Open Tennis Tournament are co-hosting a French Open Watch Party this evening at Takoma Station located at 6914 4th St NW. There will be complimentary food buffet (until 7pm), drink specials all night and prizes will be raffled off as well. So, if you are a tennis fan or want to check out a Ward 4 gem, do stop by and enjoy!!
Photo by PoPville flickr user Scenic Artisan
From a press release:
The District wants to surplus The McMillan Park Reservoir Historic District. Not only that, but it supports the plans of its development consultant, Vision McMillan Partners, to destroy 90% of the historic structures that make the site special. After a door-to-door community survey and close to 2,000 petition signatures that mean nothing to Councilmember McDuffie, community members say “Stop VMP! Stop the Surplus”
WHAT: The District Government holds a public hearing in the neighborhood to listen to the community’s views on it plans to declare McMillan Park Reservoir Historic District to be “surplus” public real estate. There may be possible appearances by Councilmember McDuffie, Mayor Gray, and Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins.
The Friends of McMillan Park and concerned local citizens will voice their concerns. They are calling on Mayor Gray to stop the surplus, stop VMP’s development plans from going forward, and to consider alternatives that preserve and repurpose the above- and below-ground historic structures of this national landmark park.
WHEN: Thursday, June 6, 2013, 6:30pm
WHERE: All Nations Baptist Church, 2001 North Capitol St. NE (North Capitol & Rhode Island)
2500 Georgia Avenue, NW
I accidentally told someone that after Memorial Day public pools don’t open until June 24th. I was psyched to see I was wrong. You can find a list of all DPR pools and hours here.
Yesterday we learned about the snakes falling from trees in Walter Pierce Park [2630 Adams Mill Rd, NW] in Adams Morgan and now I see this ominous sign: “Do you know anything about the Dog Bite“? I fear for what we learn next…
Walter Pierce Park
From MPD:
Walter Pierce Park [2630 Adams Mill Rd, NW]
On Thursday, May 23, 2013 around 11:40am a call came in about a couple of snakes that fell out of the trees. When the snakes fell they scared the children, and everyone fled. This was in the playground area. I responded but found no snakes. I caught one small enough to fit inside an empty water bottle I had. It was probably a black rat snake. They are indigenous to trees and the warm weather is drawing them out.
But fear not the National Zoo says:
Common rat snakes tend to be shy and, if possible, will avoid being confronted. If these snakes are seen and confronted by danger, they tend to freeze and remain motionless. Some adults attempt to protect themselves. They coil their body and vibrate their tails in dead leaves to simulate a rattle. If the snakes continue to be provoked, they will strike.
Though the National Wildlife Federation cautions:
“Although black rat snakes do not usually attack when threatened, there have been extreme cases of black rat snakes charging at predators. Black rat snakes also produce a strong foul odor when scared to deter predators and people.”