Sherman Circle (finally) gets a place to rest your weary feet
/ANC Commissioner Amy Hemingway and resident Lydia Barclay were the first to sit and enjoy the new benches
by Amy Hemingway
Commissioner ANC 4D06
I am thrilled to report the National Park Service (NPS) installed four benches in Sherman Circle. This is the result of residents' requests and passion, and support from Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D, Mayor Bowser, Councilmember Todd, and 4C Commissioner Joe Martin.
The benches arrived at 6:56am on Thursday morning, and by 7am Ms. Lydia Barclay, from 8th and Hamilton, was the first person to sit on one. She couldn't contain her excitement, having spent nearly 40 years walking this Circle. While Ms. Barclay enjoying sitting on a bench, she named countless benefits of the benches, from "welcoming residents to rest after exercise, to reading a book." She said she would be telling friends so they could come down soon.
The new benches arrived at 6:56am
The NPS team, in coordination with me, placed the benches close to street lights and on the concrete, per community feedback. The goal is to move the "hidden" trash can closer to, but not too close to, one of the benches as well. This is one way to alleviate residents' concerns about potential trash increase. I got the third trash can installed last November.
The four benches came at no cost to the District (and no new cost to NPS), having been refurbished over the last couple of months. I'm told their among the highest quality in the city and are just like the ones at Carter Barron Amphitheater. The reddish color apparently will eventually turn a nice grey.
Thank you to the community for the support on this initiative, which is part of a larger effort to enhance pride of place around Sherman Circle!
On November 11th we'll be working with Carol Herwig and Casey Trees to plant and replace trees that the cultural register shows are missing.
Many residents passed by on their way to work and school and were excited about the benches
A view of the park and all four benches around Sherman Circle
I've also been working with DDOT to evaluate and improve traffic and pedestrian safety around the Circle. On Wednesday, July 26, at 6:30pm, DDOT is hosting a community meeting at EL Haynes Kansas Avenue Campus to discuss next steps for Grant and Sherman Circles.
And reminder that we host the monthly Sherman Circle Social at 4pm on the last Sunday of each month, with few exceptions. I hope neighbors will join us to celebrate the benches and the Circle on Sunday, July 30th at 4pm.
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