Anyone recognize it?
I’ll give you hints where you can find it after the jump. (more…)
parks
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?
“Dear PoP,
pologies for the awful Bberry Phone resolution, but just saw a red-tailed hawk in the park at 19th and Pennsylvania and H NW slowly make it’s way via some low-hanging branches and park benches to a squirrel that it must have already killed, drag it off and begin eating it (pictures are in chronological order). Pretty cool to see something like this up close – quite a majestic bird, although it did seem to have some issues getting the squirrel off the ground and back into the trees.”
Wild.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1
“Dear PoPville,
Just got back [12pm Tuesday] from a jog on the trail between the zoo & Pierce Mill in Rock Creek Park. A man who appeared to be homeless grabbed my hand as I jogged past him but I got away from his grip. He laughed as I ran off. I went to the police station and reported it. The police told me a number of people live in those woods, it’s hard for them to get an accurate count because people aren’t stationery. Anyway, thought I should let caution readers, some of them might not be so familiar with the Chandra Levy tragedy.
UPDATE
Police just called, they found the man & decided to charge him given his history of violence”
Very scary, glad to hear the police found and charged him.
From ANC1A05:
“The park renovations will start this month. Permits have been pulled, and the Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its first of several meetings for the community on 16 June 2011, 6:30pm, at the Community Center located at 15th and Girard Streets, NW. Please come if you can. If any of you has seen the Upshur Street Park, it is beautiful, well-designed and executed, and the architect of that park is the same one for 11th & Monroe.”
The park at 11th and Monroe St, NW has long been referred to as the “drunk park” – hopefully a nice renovation will earn it a new nickname?
Do you think a proper renovation will change the reputation and attract children and families to the park?
From an email:
COMMUNITY CELEBRATES OPENING OF INNOVATIVE, LOW IMPACT PLAYGROUND AT UPSHUR PARK
WASHINGTON, DC (June 1, 2011) — Join the Friends of 16th Street Heights Parks, Councilmember Muriel Bowser’s Office, ANC4C05, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the 16th Street Neighborhood Association on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 11:45 to 4:00 to celebrate the opening of the new playground and the start of the pool season at Upshur Park. (4300 Arkansas Ave, NW – 14th and Upshur/Varnum St, NW)
· 11:45 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Muriel Bowser and Department of Parks and Recreation representatives
· 12:00 – 2:00 Lunch
· Entertainment including a DJ, kids activities and more!
The new playground has something for all ages including climbing equipment, a sand area for toddlers, swings and a rubberized surface that is safe and sustainable. New fencing, landscaping and hardscaping along with picnic tables and a pavilion with a vegetated roof make it a functional, accessible and beautiful space for families to enjoy.
Photos by Tim Breem
“Dear PoP,
After a loooong wait by many young families in LeDroit/Shaw/Bloomingdale, the Park at LeDroit opened Friday, May 27, with little fanfare in time for kids and families to play Memorial Day weekend. The dog park and a few little things await completion, and signage and an opening ceremony are expected in the coming week, but the playground is now officially open.”
The park is located on the site of the former Gage-Eckington Elementary School at 2025 3rd Street, NW in LeDroit Park.
Thanks to Tim for sending the photos.
The transformation at the French Street park at 10th and French St, NW is truly remarkable. I walked by and Sunday and it looks fantastic. You can see what it looked like in July ’08 here.
I imagine gates will be opening any day now.
Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw
“Dear PoP,
I’m wondering if the drum circle at Malcolm X park is up and running for the season yet?”
Yup! They even have a Facebook page.
Though another reader notes:
“This picture was taken at about 6 pm on Saturday evening in Meridian Hill Park. Tons of people in the park on a gorgeous day and the restrooms were closed. Dumb dumb dumb.”
I finally had the chance to check out Yards Park located near Nationals Stadium. As expected, it’s pretty freaking awesome. However, I was shocked to see it nearly empty. I was reminded that it was Easter when I checked it out but Meridian Hill Park was smashed on Easter. I’m not saying I expected the park to be smashed but it just seemed sad that such a beautiful spot wasn’t really being used.
Does anyone know how much this park cost?
I think it would be awesome if/when a restaurant (perhaps a shake shack…) or concession stand opened up as well.
But let me say clearly that this park is awesome and I hope the neighborhood continues to grow so that people will actually use it on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
