parks

New Dog Park for Columbia Heights?

By Prince Of Petworth


Alley behind 14th, Irving, Columbia and Hiatt Pl, NW

I was checking out the new Highland Park II building in Columbia Heights and heard about a very interesting development being discussed. Apparently the alley (pictured above) used to be a mess and filled with garbage. It’s been cleaned and fenced and is owned by the city. So what to do with the space? One option I heard mentioned was a dog park. Do you think this would be a good space for a new dog park in Columbia Heights (in addition to the one at 11th and Park Rd, NW)?

Aryan Nation march this Saturday at Lincoln Park, Counter-Protest Planned

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user gc-dc

Dear PoPville,

A notice/reminder that this upcoming Saturday, September 22, 2012, there is an Aryan Nation march and protest that is organizing and starting at Lincoln Park.

Needless to say, this is troubling to have in our community but apparently free speech is free speech.

The organizers have a website which, along with terms associated with racism and bigotry, has info for attendees:

The plans are to gather at RFK stadium located at 2400 E Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003 at 11AM Saturday September 22nd. Cars will be parked at RFK Stadium and watched over by D.C. Metro Police. Aryan Nations is providing a passenger bus escort to and from the gathering at Lincoln Park and Union Square Reflecting Pool for all who care to attend and march with us this day. Be there and stand up for our kinsmen in South Africa.

No word on counter-protests.

Ugh.

A counter-protest has been organized called STAY AWAKE IN FRIENDSHIP:

Calling on neighbors of all colors, creeds, kinds…
STAY AWAKE IN FRIENDSHIP, September 22, 2012

Dispel ugliness with friendship
WITHOUT IMPEDING ANYONE in exercise of rights.

Dispel outside, divisive forces
with the power of our own community!

****This project IS NOT MEANT TO IMPEDE anyone, however hateful, from exercising their legal rights to gather and march.****

“The Church of Jesus Christ Christian”/Aryan Nations — long recognized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/groups/aryan-nations — is “Calling on White America to a Day of Awakening.” THEIR EVENT is organized for Sep. 22, beginning at noon, with activities in Lincoln Park and a march to the Capital. STAY AWAKE IN FRIENDSHIP IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THESE HATE GROUPS.

INSTEAD, neighbors and friends of Lincoln Park CALL ON ALL
to do two things:

1) Make use of the park as usual, or make a special visit….
Lincoln Park, 11th & East Capital Streets, Washington, DC
Gather, beginning at 10 a.m.
ENJOY THE PARK AND THE COMPANY

2) Remember the children’s song: “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver. The other gold.”?
In that spirit, we ask everyone — individuals, merchants, houses of worship — across Washington, DC to WEAR OR DISPLAY GOLD AND SILVER as a sign of friendship and unity.

3) Sep. 22 is also Shabbat Shuva — a day set aside in the Jewish calendar to help prepare for the upcoming Day of Atonement. All interested in this observance are invited to pray and learn — in the park or elsewhere — with special attention to combating bigotry and hatred.

“Calling on White America to a Day of Awakening” is being organized by the “Church of Jesus Christ Christian”/Aryan Nations (http://southafricaproject.info/)

Stay Awake in Friendship IS NOT ASSOCIATED with these hate groups. Stay Awake in Friendship IS NOT ASSOCIATED with those who are trying to impede the hate group.

Mayor Gray Dedicates $490,000 for Parks in NoMa

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Barflydc

From the NoMa BID:

Mayor Vincent Gray has dedicated $490,000 for the design and development of NoMa parks, to be handled through the DC Office of Planning. The NoMa Business Improvement District announced the exciting news at Wednesday’s community meeting, where neighborhood stakeholders and residents were gathered to provide input on the NoMa Parks Plan.

The NoMa BID has been working since last winter on a strategic parks plan with design firm AECOM, and the planning effort has involved continuous coordination with District public agencies, including Office of Planning and the Department of Transportation.

“The NoMa BID has used a lot of its own funds and spent a considerable amount on creating strategies and plans for NoMa parks,” said NoMa BID Chairman Bruce Baschuk. Wednesday’s meeting was an important milestone in the parks planning process, and enabled neighborhood residents to give their input into the proposed uses, design and programming of potential park spaces and green spaces in NoMa. The greater NoMa neighborhood is in dire need of such public spaces; with 45,000 office workers and 3,500 residential units completed or under construction, that need grows more imperative eachyear.

The BID will use these funds for design, and eventually hopes to purchase land and then build a network of parks in NoMa. Reprogramming these funds through the Office of Planning will enable the parks planning team to further assess neighborhood sites that have been identified for future parks, according to the Mayor’s letter.

Dear PoPville – Daylight Drug Deal and Crack Smoking in Stanton Park

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I witnessed a drug deal and then the woman on the right smoking crack at 6 PM yesterday in Stanton Park in Capitol Hill. They pretended to be watching a movie on a DVD player, but then he made the sale and she leaned over to smoke. The park was packed with kids, people walking home from work and people throwing balls to dogs. Would like to bring it to the attention of the police, but didn’t have much success calling 311 (put on hold, no one ever came back).

In a situation like this call 911. Anytime you need the police always call 911.


View Larger Map

Dear PoPville – Dog Park Etiquette?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user idit.

Dear PoPville,

My wife and I are the new owners of a wonderful rescue dog, adopted through City Dogs Rescue. She loves going to the dog park, and we’re wondering if the folks out in Popville can clue us in to any unwritten rules for the park. How much should we supervise our dog? Should we intervene if the dogs start playing rough? What other etiquette should we know? We’d love to hear what people think.

The Spanish Steps – Looking Good

By Prince Of Petworth


S and 22nd Street, NW

I first stumbled upon the Spanish Steps back in Nov. 2008. It’s looking even better in the warm weather.

It’s looking even better now with flowers planted along the sides.

Though, sadly the fountain up top wasn’t working. Fortunately the view is pretty sweet:

More Info on Doggie Day Swim This Sat. at Upshur and Francis Pools

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

From DPR:

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will partner with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Washington Humane Society (WHS) to host the 4th Annual DPR Doggie Day Swim on Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 12 pm to 4 pm at DPR’s Upshur Pool (4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW) and Francis Pool (25th & N Street, NW). With the end of the outdoor swimming season, this annual event provides dogs with a one day opportunity to partake in the pools, enjoy a swim and play fun aquatics games. DOH will be on location to monitor the health and safety of the pets and their owners; and to provide outreach and education regarding pet vaccinations, dog licenses and dog park licenses. The Washington Humane Society will provide information tables and DC Water will participate in the day by giving away doggie water bowls (one per owner, while supplies last) during this year’s Doggie Day Swim.

Admission is free to DC residents and their dogs. Attendance the day of the event will be based on capacity at the time of arrival. During the Doggie Day Swim, there will be a capacity limit in terms of the number of dogs allowed in the pool at one time; 75 dogs at Upshur Pool and 150 dogs at Francis Pool.

To maintain order and to ensure a safe and fun event, dog owners are asked to follow these rules:

Dog handlers must be 16 years of age or older.
Dog handlers cannot swim or enter the pool with their dogs.
Dogs must be sociable and remain leashed while on the pool deck.
All dogs must wear current DC dog license.
All dogs must be current on vaccinations including rabies and distemper.

Doggie Day Swim will take place rain or shine. For more information, contact the DPR Aquatics Office at (202) 671-1289.

Doggie Day Swim is Saturday, Sept. 8th from 12 noon to 4 pm, Reminder – Most Outdoor Pools Close Mon. Sept. 3rd)

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

From DCDPR:

“DOGGIE DAY SWIM!!!! Saturday, September 8th from 12 noon to 4 pm at Upshur Pool (4300 Arkansas Ave., NW) and Francis Pool (25th & N St., NW).”

Remember, this is your last weekend to get your outdoor swimming in (though East Potomac Pool stays open until Oct. 6th.) You can see the Outdoor Pools Closure Schedule here.

Get Your Swimming In – DPR Announces the 2012 Outdoor Pools Closure Schedule

By Prince Of Petworth

From DPR:

DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) released the outdoor pools closing schedule for the 2012 Summer season, as DPR prepares to bring this years swim season to a close. Beginning on Sunday, August 12, 2012 – DPR will implement the first wave of outdoor pool closures, as well as the temporary closure maintenance schedule for indoor pools.

All Outdoor Pools will close in phases beginning Sunday, August 12, 2012. East Potomac Pool will remain open beyond the summer season, until Saturday, October 6, 2012.

All Spray Parks will close on Monday, September 3, 2012 with the exception of 3 spray parks – 14th & Girard; 14th & Park and Petworth. These spray parks will close on Sunday, September 30, 2012.

All Children’s Pools will close on Sunday, August 19, 2012.

DPR’s indoor pools and aquatic centers that operate year-round, will undergo their yearly scheduled maintenance to deep clean the pool and facility beginning on Sunday, August 12th, in phases. Ferebee-Hope and the Therapeutic Recreation Center pools will not close during this phase of fall maintenance.

Full list after the jump. (more…)

View More Stories