Anyone hear what’s shaking down at McPherson Square? New benches? New turf?
parks
Yesterday I reader wrote in asking about the status of the Gage-Eckington park project in Ledroit Park. I’m afraid there is bad news to share. A number of readers have forwarded me an email from CM Jim Graham titled ‘CM Barry up to no good– Gage-Eckington Park Disapproval Filed’:
This is an outrage, and a totally needless delay in a very worthwhile project. We need this project to go forward, because of the recreational and park benefits it will bring to the entire community, and most definitely including all of the kids at Kelly Miller.
I will speak to him, though I suspect it will be to no avail. Perhaps also Chairman Gray (copied herein) can approach him?
I think LeDroit Park should descend on him en masse. What do you think?
Are you ready for the revolution residents of Ledroit Park?
“Dear PoP,
I’m finally feeling excited about the progress of this park… I’d been desperately waiting for some greenspace here!”
This is the old Bruce Monroe School site. You can see some playground equipment in the background as well. Wow, this is wild.
“Dear PoP,
I am looking for some sunny spots where I can relax and picnic with friends and get some sun. Any suggestions? I spent a lot of time in NYC and loved how everyone just lounges around Central Park or Prospect Park as if they were sitting by a pool. :) I live in Petworth and so far the closest I could find was Rock Creek Park but it seems so full of activities that there’s not much room for lounging….”
One of my absolute favorites is Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park “bordered by 16th, Euclid, 15th, and W Streets. It is a 12 acre site situated on an almost perfect north-south axis” in Columbia Heights. While it is much smaller, if you liked Prospect Park you will love this one too. And if you just have a few friends, you can always go to some of the pocket parks or Grant Circle where the Beautiful Life was born. Though, if you have a car you can sample some other great parks all over town.
There’s Lincoln Park on Capital Hill, the National Arboretum at 3501 New York Avenue, NE, the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland and dozens of others really. So what do you guys think – what’s your favorite sunny spot or park in DC?
“Dear PoP,
Notice the (seemingly) shared space between all the houses on the 100 block of U and V? Any idea what’s going on? I’ll be honest – my mind’s a little bit blown.”
You have found Bloomingdale’s hidden gem – Crispus Attucks Park. My mind was equally blown when I found it. You can see a few more photos here.
We saw a rendering of plans to improve the park from DPR a week ago. A few days ago I had the opportunity to listen to some ideas about how to improve the park from Hector of the Tivoli North Business Association. He had some great ideas but one that I thought was particularly interesting was to replicate the triangle park in Adams Morgan on Columbia Road:
We visited the Adams Morgan Market back in Sept. ’08.
In addition to a market there could also be space for musicians and/or artists.
Do you think that type of market could do well at the 14th and Oak Streets, NW Park?
In today’s GDoN? Post there was mention of a dog park. Just wanted to let folks who weren’t aware of this development know where the park will be. It will be right across the way from the Upshur Pool at Arkansas Ave just north of Upshur St, NW. (Hope to announce pool opening dates soon as well…)
Highlands Cafe located at 4706 14th Street, NW (by Crittenden) has applied for an alcohol license:
“New restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live jazz, folk music performers and poetry sessions.”
And I’m assuming they’ll still have coffee…
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Despite some of the fences going back up this park remains one of my favorite spots when the weather warms up. Above is the ubiquitous photo taken when the fountains go back on. After the jump see some more shots from the park. (more…)
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“Dear PoP,
Looks like park and rec recently put fencing back up around the fields in Malcolm X Park. I imagine this is to let the grass grow back, as “team sports” have torn it up pretty good.
My question is, why don’t they put large plant pots, floor beds, etc at varying areas of the field to prevent team sport activities from happening in the first place? There are signs along the park that say no team sports and park police will enforce the rule if they are around, but otherwise we will just end up at this point again after the fencing is removed. I think there should be a couple areas that allow space for soccer and football, but, in other areas, place items that will prevent them from starting and keep the grass growing.”
In happier news it looks like the new bathrooms look close to opening. As someone who walks a lot, public restrooms can be a lifesaver. Of course I hope that park police will have regular patrols to make sure it stays clean.
We last looked at this park when we took a look at the protest benches.
From an email:
“Please join DPR on Monday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. St. Stephen’s Church (1525 Newton Street NW) to discuss improvements and answer questions for the 14th ,Oak and Ogden Streets Triangle Park.”
To see a bigger version of the rendering click here – dpr_14_oak_ogden_concept_201003