parks

Dear PoP – Upshur Dog Park Mess

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was at the new Upshur dog park (4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW) today. A big gray muddy mess with the melting snow. Do you or any of your readers know if this is how it’s going to be on wet days or is there work still to be done? Had to hose off my shoes and give the dogs a bath after today’s visit.”

I’m guessing this is the way it’s gonna be. I know the Shaw park has pebbles and the 17th St, NW one is sloped and has what looks like astroturf. Does anyone know if the Upshur park has any plans to deal with weather situations?

Dear PoP – Has Stanton Dog Park Been Removed?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Any idea what’s going on with the Stanton Park Dog Park? My fiance took our pup there this morning as usual and went they went back this afternoon the fence had been removed, effectively destroying the dog park. We’re hoping it’s just temporary, but there was no indication of what was going on…”

Hmm, according to Wikipedia:

“A playground is located in the western section of the park; a section in the eastern half is often used by dog walkers. The park is maintained by the National Park Service and as such, dogs are not allowed off leash.”

So I wonder if it was the NPS enforcing the no off leash rule? Any neighbors know why the fence was removed? Is this a temporary or permanent thing? Were dogs commonly off leash here?


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Ledroit Park News – Park and Restaurant Edition

By Prince Of Petworth

I know there are lots of fans of Ethiopian restaurant, Zenebech Injera, located at 608 T St, NW by Florida Ave so I wanted to share news that they’ve applied for a liquor license. Zenebech had also briefly closed last summer. Anyone been back recently?


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I also wanted to share the news that the LeDroit Park Civic Association has put together a survey soliciting names for the new community park coming to 3rd and V Streets NW. I’m voting for Ledroit Park Park. You can fill out the survey here.

You can see more info about the park here.

Trees Being Cut Down at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

About 8-10 of the trees in that great little grove/canopy as you come up the steps from 16th street on the upper half of the park are gone. I know they’re doing work on the retaining wall on 16th street, but sheesh. I’m totally bummed.”

But at least some good news is that the same reader says the new public restrooms are now open.

ANC rep Brianne K Nadeau sent word last week:

Another part of the restoration of Meridian Hill Park includes the reinforcement of the west wall of the upper level. This is a project funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. While the National Park Service originally thought the disruption would be minimal, upon further inspection, they are really going to need to get in there and tear some stuff apart to get the job done and keep the wall safe.

As a result of the work being done to make the wall structurally sound they are going to have to tear out some of the existing trees. They will of course replace them as soon as possible. The trees will be taken out Monday, and that part of the park will look pretty bare for a while until the work is done.

Serious Work Begins at 10th and French St, NW Park in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

I was glad to see the park at 10th and French St, NW finally start to see serious construction. I always thought this location had the potential to be a sweet park. The biggest noticeable change at the moment is that they demolished the crazy concrete structure in the middle. Stay tuned for more photos as progress continues. Here’s what it looked like in July ’08:

DC Finally Resolves the Meridian Hill vs Malcolm X Park Debate

By Prince Of Petworth

Perhaps because I’m a bit masochistic I’ve always enjoyed reading people’s opinions on whether or not the park is called Malcolm X or Meridian Hill. Basically the national park service calls it Meridian Hill (which is the technical official name because NPS owns the land) but long time residents as well as the city have generally referred to it as Malcolm X park. The debate has gotten rather contentious and heated at times. As a result I have always referred to it as the Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. I nearly fell over when I saw the above city sign city sign on U St, NW. At long last, a compromise!

By the by the park (between 15th and 16th St, NW and Euclid and W/Florida Ave) is looking beautiful. Fountains stay on until mid-Nov.

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