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…
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.
“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.
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?
Wow, I feel it’s been a really long time coming but it looks like it’s gonna be worth the wait. This past weekend was the first time I’d seen what the space was looking like. Even though planting still needed to be completed – you can certainly get a taste of how it’s gonna look. It was bulldozed back in Sept. ’10. And of course this the former home to the benches.
From what you can tell now – do you think this is an improvement?
Ed. Note: Yesterday the Washington Post reported that:
“An outside investigator has concluded there was “no wrongdoing” by former D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in the issuance of parks and recreation contracts to firms with ties to his administration.”
I will return for more photos when everything has been planted and the weather warms up a bit.
Back in July the whole area was fenced off and a reader wrote that:
“Rehabilitation of McPherson Square: This includes but is not limited to replacing all the sidewalks in the interior of the park, replacing concrete curbing, re-setting historic granite curbs, removing lead paint from decorative fence, re-painting decorative fence, removing one Chinese Elm tree, re-grading portions of the site, replacing the benches and trash receptacles with new, installing post and chain at all corners and along sidewalks with the greatest impacts from foot traffic, replacing the streetlight system along the interior sidewalks, replacing the sod, replacing drinking fountains with handicapped accessible models, and relocating the electric supply access from the street to the interior of the park.”
Looking good. Here it is from July:
Though now nearby Franklin Square remains far more crowded:
Twitter user @jmcindc sends in the photo and asks: “Is a new addition (it is back side of the park. Behind the tennis court) at Bruce Monroe Park a dog run?”
[You can follow Prince of Petworth on twitter @PoPville here.]
Bruce Monroe park is located at 3000 Georgia Ave, NW.
Anyone know if a dog run (official or unofficial) has been added?
Were you guys able to take advantage of the awesome weather on Sunday?
I’ve been getting lots of emails that the skate park in Shaw is progressing nicely. Back in Nov. ’10 we saw that the old park was getting demoed at the corner of 11th and Q St, NW (near Rhode Island). Looks like the skaters are gonna have a great space pretty soon.
Photo courtesy of Friends of the National Arboretum
Back in Nov. ’10 we learned that some of the azaleas at the national arboretum were in danger. I’m happy to share some positive news on this front.
From a FONA press release:
A $1 million donation to Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) will establish an endowment to help preserve the Azalea and Boxwood Collections at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., the nonprofit organization announced today. FONA will launch a major fundraising campaign this spring to raise the additional $1 million needed to maintain the treasured collections into the future.
The Azalea Collection has long been a landmark in Washington. The lesser known but nationally recognized Boxwood Collection is the most complete collection in the world.
FONA’s announcement coincides with the Arboretum’s public statement that it is suspending an earlier decision to eliminate the collections, due to the loss of proceeds from a private trust. A final decision about the future of the collections will be made later this year.
More information about Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) here.
In sum I’m told:
“FONA received a $1 million donation but another $1 million is needed to maintain and preserve the collections into the future.
USNA’s announcement is they are suspending their action for now. People can still weigh in…”
1. Dr. Judith St. John, Deputy Administrator, National Program Staff, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705 Phone: 301-504-6252 Fax: 301-504-4663
Email: [email protected]
2. Dr. Joseph Spence, Beltsville Area Director, 10300 Baltimore Blvd. Bldg. 003, BARC-West, Room 223, Beltsville, MD 20702 Phone: 301-504-6078 Fax: 301-504-5863
Email: [email protected]
3. Dr. Ramon Jordan, Interim Director, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-245-4539 Fax: 202-245-4574
Email: [email protected]