Thanks to a reader for sending in the photo above. Back in March ’11 another reader expressed frustration that the bathrooms in the parked were locked.
Do you think calling the park police is an effective way to get the bathrooms unlocked?
parks
I had to do a double take when I checked out this field last weekend. Back in June ’11 a a reader asked what was going on and we learned that they were fixing the irrigation system and planting bermuda grass. It’ll be back in use next Spring.
Walter Pierce Park is located at Adams Mill Road and Ontario Place, NW.
“Dear PoP,
I snapped this picture this morning as a crew was working on taking down a tree. The tree that was being taken down was along the South edge of the current fence. I believe that the plans call for the trees on the West side to remain (which is nice because they are nicely established and provide great shade!). I noticed the fencing go around the park yesterday (I’m not sure when it went up, but I noticed it yesterday). Anyway, I thought you and some of your readers would be happy to know the progress at this park is finally starting!”
Fantastic news!
DPR writes:
“Good morning all – just a quick update to let you know that renovations have begun at 11th & Monroe! Once I have an updated construction schedule, I’ll keep you updated as things progress.”
Aug. ’11
“Dear PoP,
So I live on the 1400 block of Euclid St, NW and have recently seen some construction at a vacant lot very close to my house. Workers are currently putting up a small fence around the lot but there is also a large bulldozer in the lot. I’m wondering if you could shed some light on what is going in there. When we moved in it was rumored that a community garden would be put in there.”
Back in Oct. ’09 we first learned of a new park to be called Justice Park would occupy this plot. In Dec. ’09 we learned that funding had been restored for this park. Then…nothing.
Glad to see construction finally started.
Oct. ’09
Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc
“Dear PoPville,
I want to do a 20-50 person barbeque/picnic in one of DC’s parks. I would like there to be a BBQ pit/grill already there, but other than that not much else for requirements. I was also wondering if there is a need for a permit to do something like that?”
Anyone know where/if there are good parks in DC with bbq pits/grills?
More info on Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens here. It is awesome! I went for the first time a few weeks ago and was blown away.
Since this has been such a contentious week I thought I’d share one of the most peaceful spots in DC.
Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden is located at 3100 Massachusetts Ave, NW. The garden just turned 20 years old last month. This is a place where even mortal enemies such as bumble bees and grasshoppers get along.
“Dear PoP,
I was wondering if you had any information on the soccer field in Walter Pierce Park. I walked by yesterday, Monday June 20th, and noticed the large fence surrounding the field. I was wondering if they were planning on laying down new grass or any other type of renovation?”
Mindy Moretti of the Friends of Walter Pierce Park committee tells me:
“They are indeed resodding the field. They will putting some in-fill dirt in and then planting bermuda grass. They are also fixing the irrigation system, which is part of the reason they had so many difficulties with the field the first time they redid it. At this point, as far as I know, there are no plans to put a fence around it (thank goodness). According to DPR, it will be back online in spring 2012.”
A couple of folks have mentioned this in passing on previous posts but we’ve never addressed it directly. Basically, it is my understanding, that there used to be a lot of homeless in the McPherson Square park before it got fixed up. Today, in the nearby Franklin Square (14th and K St, NW) there are a lot of homeless people in the park. Others have mentioned that parks are for all people including the homeless. So I’m just curious what people think about Franklin Square nowadays? I know office workers used to eat lunch here all the time in the nice weather – does that still happen? Has the large number of homeless people in the park changed how often you visit it? Does the city need to step in with a more aggressive outreach program?
So for the Friday Question of the Day – what is your opinion of Franklin Square park? Can/should anything be done to improve its appeal?