“Dear PoPville,
Any idea on what this space is, or is intended to be? It lies around 2nd / Mass / NJ NW intersection and is also referred as DPR 1089.
The last few weeks there seems to have been dozens of people all gathered around every day, most looking homeless, but some with lounge chairs and umbrellas. The last couple days the cops have been over there arresting some and talking to others, as pictured here.”
“Dear PoPville,
I took this picture yesterday right where the Glover-Archbold Trail crosses New Mexico Ave. That is no filter- the water is wine/blood red colored. It was like this prior to the storm yesterday and still is there today.
This spot must collect a lot of strange runoff because ever 2-3 weeks it gains some color. Sometimes faintly white and sometimes a faint blue/white, but this was so bright and shocking I had to take a picture.
I called the NPS and sent them the picture too. They say that they are going to contact DC govt folks and probably have to test the water.”
Good God that is disturbing. I’m guessing maybe that District Department of the Environment could look into it. Anyone else know who should look into this situation?
Photo courtesy of Mayor Gray’s facebook page.
From a press release:
Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Councilmembers, government officials, the Palisades Citizens’ Association, the Friends of Palisades Recreation Center and the Palisades community cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Palisades Playground (5200 Sherrier Place NW). The ribbon-cutting was held at the conclusion of the Palisades 47th Annual July 4th Parade & Picnic. This parade is known as the “largest small town parade in D.C.” Palisades is the District’s third playground to be completed under Mayor Gray’s Play DC Playground Improvement Project, managed by the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of General Services (DGS).
“Palisades Playground is not only the District’s first ‘imagination playground,’ but it is representative of the rich Native American history that exists in the Palisades community,” said Mayor Gray. “One of the main goals of my One City Action Plan is to improve every resident’s quality of life, providing safe and inviting places for our children to play. The renovations and upgrades here at Palisades Playground are an investment in our children, our families, our community and our great city.”
Play DC is a city-wide, multi-year initiative and the largest playground renovation project in the District’s history. Three community meetings were held regarding the Palisades Playground renovations.
By definition, Palisades means “fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground.” Native Americans once used this area as one of their villages as they traveled along the Potomac. Palisades Playground is the District’s first imagination play space, which means that there is movable play equipment, including building blocks, and it has state-of-the-art materials for the play surfaces.
“DPR is pleased with the progress and initial outcome of the Play DC project thus far, as we begin to cut the ribbon on the Play DC playgrounds city-wide. This has been a very multi-layered, aggressive effort that has included input from the residents in the playground communities, as well as collaborative efforts from DPR, DGS, the D.C. Office of Planning (OP) and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE),” said DPR Director Jesus Aguirre. “Play is a fundamental aspect of growth and development for children and youth, and a positive exercise experience leads to avoidance of weight gain, higher self-esteem and reduction of risk factors for disease.”
Palisades Playground is the first Play DC playground to be completed in Ward 3, features various components for the entire family, and is based on a unique concept. Its theme is based on learning about the history of the area through play equipment and designs that feature Native American symbols and themes. The play-sized Potomac River, which is designed into the surfacing, flows through a tot play space, along with a play space for children ages 6 – 12. In addition, the play space features an expanded community garden area (the garden was made possible through a Sustainable DC grant from OP and DDOE), a new shade structure, a new spray feature, outdoor fitness equipment, the District’s first skate spot, new landscaping and more.
Play DC has been a city-wide effort from the very start, leveraging the expertise of organizations including DDOE, OP, various other District agencies, local community groups and District residents. DPR currently operates 78 playgrounds. Rosedale Playground and Volta Park Playground were the first two Play DC playspaces to be completed. All 32 playgrounds are slated to be complete in Fiscal Year 2013.
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)