Lead contamination found at Park View Rec Center, closing the playground again

/
Lead contamination found at Park View Rec Center, closing the playground again

Spring break is around the corner but neighborhood kids won’t get to play at the Park View Recreation Center playground, affectionately referred to as “ladybug playground” for the squat colorful statues that dot its center. That’s because the playground is closed for lead remediation, for the second time in two years. Parents of Bruce Monroe Elementary, who use the park for recess, are looking for answers from DGS.

Read More

Scoop: DC DGS sells Petworth Rec Center for new $$$ condominiums

/
Scoop: DC DGS sells Petworth Rec Center for new $$$ condominiums

Whelp, just heard that the popular Petworth park at 8th and Taylor Streets NW is going to be expensive condominiums.

Read More

Either DGS lied or they can't figure out how to explain a "fix" (Editorial Op-Ed)

/
Either DGS lied or they can't figure out how to explain a "fix" (Editorial Op-Ed)

On Wednesday, August 25th, staff from the Department of Government Services (DGS) led by Director Keith Anderson, took Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and some of her staff on a tour of Powell Elementary to review a new, “temporary fix” for the school’s broken HVAC system. But when asked to clarify the fix… DGS has no answer.

There is no HVAC fix.

Read More

Despite assurances, Powell Elementary's HVAC will not be working in time for school start, says DGS

/
Despite assurances, Powell Elementary's HVAC will not be working in time for school start, says DGS

By the end of last term, parents and the Powell Elementary principal were afraid their long-time broken HVAC may not be fixed by the fall semester, forcing unvaccinated children to resume school in hot classrooms without proper air circulation. By May, DGS reported that after failing three times to complete a contract to fix the HVAC due to paperwork mistakes, they finally had a repair vendor contracted and would have the HVAC fixed before school started.

Now, DGS says they won’t be done on time.

Read More

After years with no HVAC, in the midst of a pandemic, Powell parents have reached their boiling point

/
After years with no HVAC, in the midst of a pandemic, Powell parents have reached their boiling point

As District schools finish their second pandemic year, and parents cautiously anticipate a return to normalcy next fall, families at Powell Elementary School are girding for a fight. The school’s HVAC system, which has been broken for the entirety of the COVID pandemic — even as some kids returned to in-person learning — is still inoperable. Parents and the school Principal are afraid it may not be fixed by the fall, forcing unvaccinated children to resume school in boiling hot classrooms without proper air circulation.

Read More

Petworth Playground to temporarily close to get Spray Park completed

/
Petworth Playground to temporarily close to get Spray Park completed

The Department of Parks and Recreation announced today that the Petworth Playground at 8th and Taylor Streets NW will temporarily close on April 19th until April 30th for construction.

Read More

Petworth Playground at 8th & Taylor is officially open

/
Petworth Playground at 8th & Taylor is officially open

After many years of planning meetings, back and forth arguments over play-surface materials and a $2 million budget, the Petworth Recreation Center at 8th and Taylor Streets NW is officially open again.

Read More

Op-Ed: Parents succeed in getting DC to install a safer surface for Petworth playground

/
Op-Ed: Parents succeed in getting DC to install a safer surface for Petworth playground

Thanks to the advocacy of parents in our community, the renovation of the Petworth Playground will include a wood fiber surface instead of a poured-in-place rubber surface. We couldn’t be more excited for the expected reopening this summer. I know my family is going to appreciate the two adjacent playgrounds for different ages, the shade structures and birthday pavilion. The new surface will fit the nature theme nicely. And yes, for the first time, we will have swings!

Read More

The final Petworth Playground meeting: hope and heartbreak, swings and stages

/
The final Petworth Playground meeting: hope and heartbreak, swings and stages

The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of General Services held a final community update meeting on renovations to the playground and park near the Petworth Recreation Center. Beyond the updates and a look at the final designs, there were many residents upset with the selection of poured in place surface materials.

Read More

Budget approved for Roosevelt HS pool to open for public use

/
Budget approved for Roosevelt HS pool to open for public use

The DC Council has passed two votes so far on approving additional funding for the construction and other changes needed to open the pool at Roosevelt High School for local residential use. Another vote and Mayoral approval still need to be done.

Read More

DPR to present next steps in Petworth Playground renovations

/
DPR to present next steps in Petworth Playground renovations

DPR and DGS are holding another meeting on Monday, May 7th from 6:30-8pm at the Petworth Library (basement community room) to discuss the upcoming renovations.


Read More
/ /
,
, , ,


submit to reddit

Update on DPR's changes coming to Petworth Park playground

/
Update on DPR's changes coming to Petworth Park playground

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has $2 million dollars allocated by the DC government to upgrade the Petworth Playground at 8th and Taylor Streets NW. The process of planning the enhancements and changes has begun, starting with a meeting on December 7th with a group of residents. DPR laid out the timeline and set expectations for next steps. Here's an overview.

Read More
/ /
,
, ,


submit to reddit

A look at a new Roosevelt: a long-overdue renovation

/
A look at a new Roosevelt: a long-overdue renovation

Theodore Roosevelt High School has been closed since 2013 to undergo a $136.1 million renovation that replaces the crumbling sections of the building, restores historic architecture, and expands the facilities and technology, all revolving around a new central atrium. It’s pretty impressive. Read the article and see a large photo gallery >

Read More

CM Brandon Todd visits Petworth Park, meets parents & staff

/
CM Brandon Todd visits Petworth Park, meets parents & staff

Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and his staff made a visit to the Petworth Park (801 Taylor St NW) and Petworth Recreation Center this afternoon, along with John Stokes, the chief of staff for the Department of Parks and Recreation. 

CM Todd was there to meet with local area parents to hear about concerns and requests for improvements at the park, as well as meeting with Recreation Center staff Clarence Anderson and Karla Kelley. Read more about the visit after the break:

Read More