Trees cut down at Petworth Playground upset some in the community, DPR says it's part of the renovation plan
/A birch tree cut down along Taylor Street NW to make room for the new “teen lounge.”
A number of community members expressed frustration and unhappiness on Monday as they watched a construction vendor cut down some trees at the Petworth Playground at 8th and Taylor Streets NW.
The tree removals is part of the planned $2 million renovations that started on May 11th. The playground will see a new water park / splash pad, new youth playground, “teen lounge” and updates to the field, including a large gazebo/stage.
According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the removal of the trees was done to align with the new layout of the park, allowing for a larger playground and other changes. DPR says other trees will be planted as well.
The final conceptual layouts of the park and playground were shared with the community at the last community meeting in December [2019], where the existing layout and new layout were presented. This removal was part of the construction plans and was necessary to incorporate the new elements of the park and playground. There was a discussion about the new bio-retention areas with the community and it was mentioned that new trees and plantings would be included. However, we did not hear special concern for the birches.
The plan is to replant more trees than are being removed. We will be planting both large specimen trees as well as a variety of other trees and shrubs. The new tree species to be planted in the park are: River Birch, Dogwood, Yoshino Cherry, Willow Oak and Green Vase Zelkova. Attached are the existing and conceptual new plans that was shared with the community and posted on the website in December, for reference.
The proposed layout of the entire complex. (Courtesy DPR)
Like most DC agencies, DPR isn’t the best at public outreach and keeping people informed. Even for Petworth News, it can be a large effort to get updates. That said, it appears the construction is moving forward rapidly, and the plan calls for the park to be completed early this summer.
I was surprised to see barbed wire atop the fencing around the park. Obviously, keeping people out of an active construction zone for safety reasons is paramount, but the barbed wire seems intense.
Barbed wire fence closing off the park during construction.
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