parks

The 5pm Post – celebrate the opening of the new playground and the start of the pool season at Upshur Park

By Prince Of Petworth

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.

New Park at LeDroit Opened on Friday

By Prince Of Petworth


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.

Dear PoP – Has the Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Drum Circle Started Back Up?

By Prince Of Petworth


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.”

Judging Parks – Yards Park

By Prince Of Petworth

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.

Holy Awesome – Video: President Harding attends the unveiling of a statue of Jeanne d’Arc at Meridian Hill Park in 1922

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this is freaking awesome. The Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association has a new initiative – they write:

“I wanted to let you know about a new MHNA initiative this year- an online compilation of neighborhood history. It’s just a start, but we’ve already unearthed some cool things: 1922 video footage of President Harding unveiling the Joan of Arc sculpture, a documentary on the New School of African American Thought (once at 2208 14th St), a full historic review of the 1300 block of Florida Ave, etc. In the coming month 3 graduate students from Georgetown will be interviewing some of the neighborhood’s older residents, writing up transcripts and posting them on our new site. We also hope to add more old photos too.

If you (or your readers) have old photos/videos/articles about the neighborhood, we’d love to scan & post them.”

But what got me super psyched is this 1922 video footage they found. Even though there is no sound the footage is mesmerizing. You can watch the video here. The explanation says:

“1922, January 6. Ceremony of unveiling a statue of Jeanne d’Arc in Meridian Park. Crowd assembled for the ceremony. President and Mrs Warren G Harding arrive at ceremony. Officials speak at stand. Unveiling of Jeanne d’Arc statue. Flags on poles. Man places bouquet and flowers in front of the statue. Secretary of War, John W Weeks speaks. Side view of statue. Various officials speak at ceremony.”


Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

Signs that Spring is here and Summer is on the Way

By Prince Of Petworth

There are two major indicators, besides the cherry blossoms of course, that indicate to me that Spring and Summer are well on their way. They are both water related. One (above) are the fountains at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. They are now in full effect.

And the second one (below) will be when this gets filled. Oh so close…

Kingsman Dog Park Open at 5pm Friday in Capitol Hill

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user jsmjr

The Kingsman Dog Park is located at 14th Street and Tennessee Avenue, NE.

From Hill Hounds:

Kingsman Dog Park will open to the public at 5:00 pm this Friday, March 25th. To celebrate, please join us for an informal get-together from 5-7 pm at the new park. We invite everyone to come by, take a look around, play a little fetch and make some new friends from the neighborhood. Members of the Hill Hounds Steering Committee will be there to answer questions about the park and to hand out free treats to your very patient pooches.

The park will be open until 10:00 pm on Friday. Starting on Saturday, March 26th, the park will be open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm every day of the year.


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Dear PoP – Why are these Restrooms Locked?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Took advantage of the lingering daylight and went for a walk in Malcolm X Park. Despite seeing human feces in a stairwell (I’ll spare you and the readers a picture) and having to leave a bench shortly after sitting because the area reeked of urine, the park’s restrooms are padlocked during open hours. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen them open (I could be wrong there). Is there a reason for this? They’re brand new–just constructed last year. It doesn’t seem to make sense that they’re locked up.”

Hmm, when I walked through the park last weekend the doors were open. Maybe they just close at dusk? Anyone know what time they close? The NPS Website says the park is open during daylight hours. I’m guessing the bathrooms must’ve just closed for the night when you stopped by.

Revisiting the Pocket Park at 14th and Oak St, NW/What the Helen of Troy is This?

By Prince Of Petworth

When we looked at the park early last week the fences were still up. I finally got a chance to see it without the fences and I now see what everyone was talking about. This does feel like an awful lot of concrete. But if the city/neighborhood can set up a mini crafts fair and/or music I still think it can be a useful space.

But I do have a question – what the helen of troy are these?

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