Click on the collage for photos of the renovated skate park at 11th and Rhode Island NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Luis Gomez
Attention, skaters. The renovation of the Shaw Skate Park at 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW finished last week. DC Parks and Recreation had originally scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for this past Thursday, but after vandals cut open the fence and covered parts of the new park with graffiti, the city pushed back the official opening to do some last-minute repair work. Instead, the Skate Park had a soft opening on Friday.
The skate park is next to the soccer field and Shaw Dog Park on 11th Street NW. It is normally open every day throughout the year, from dawn to dusk. Skateboarders skate unsupervised, but the city recommends that adults supervise children and that all skaters use standard safety equipment.
Renovations are well underway at the Shaw Skate Park on 11th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Luis Gomez
The Shaw Skate Park at 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW is making progress after it was closed last year in November for renovations. Construction equipment is in the park and ramps are in the process of being installed. The park is operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation.
The renovation will include all concrete skate park equipment with steel enclosures, a new concrete surface pad and new fencing. There is also a new design planned for the facility. The original completion date was February.
The Shaw Skate Park is next to the soccer field and Shaw Dog Park on 11th Street NW. It is normally open every day, all year long, from dawn to dusk. Skateboarders skate unsupervised, but the city recommends that adults supervise children and that all skaters use standard safety equipment.
Note: Neighbor Julie from Borderstan attended last night’s meeting on the 17th Street dog park at the DC Jewish Community Center. Following is Julie’s report.
Overview
First and foremost, NOTHING WAS RESOLVED regarding issues on the 17th Street dog park. No changes (from the government point of view) are likely to flow from this meeting. Commissioner Meehan, however, seemed eager to get some sort of resolution passed at tonight’s ANC meeting. I don’t believe there was enough of a consensus to make that possible.
Attendees numbered about 35. Emotions were running fairly high. While discussion could be heated, it remained civil. Many issues were brought up for discussion–though due to time limitations and the many points of view–the discussion focused primarily on operating hours of the park and the number of dogs allowed in the park at any one time. It was suggested that a follow-up meeting take place in 1 to 2 months to further discuss the issues and their suggested resolutions. (more…)
The 17th Street dog park opened September 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew numerous city and local political and community poobahs. (Photo: Luis Gomez Photos)
DC Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday about the operations of the new dog park at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW. Location is the DC Jewish Community Center at 16th and Q NW at 7 p.m. Here is a notice from the Facebook page of Circle Dogs DC:
Circle Dogs DC will be at a community meeting at 7pm on 13 Oct at the JCC (16th and Q). It will be a forum to discuss any dog park related issues, including rules, hours, comments, compliments, etc. Please plan to attend if you can! If you cannot and want something brought up, please email your question or comment to the gmail account and we will bring them to DPR’s attention.
I know from personal experience as a dog owner in the hood that there are issues about the dog park. The two I am aware of are the number of dogs in the park (a sign at the entrance says a maximum of 12 dogs in the park at one time) as well as parents allowing small children to play in the park (my own personal hot button). Since dogs are a serious issue in Borderstan, this ought to be an interesting meeting. (more…)
Clark Ray, former director of Parks and Recreation–and now candidate for DC Council–was recognized by his former boss at the opening of the dog park on 17th Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez)
I wasn’t able to attend the 17th Street dog park opening yesterday, but Luis covered it and got some good photos.
A couple of people told me that Clark Ray–candidate for DC Council and former head of DC Parks and Recreation until his dismissal by Mayor Adrian Fenty in April–was at the ribbon cutting for the park. Some of his supporters were on hand, too, wearing Ray stickers.
Nothing unusual there… but Fenty, Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2) and Ximena Hartsock (Ray’s replacement) all recognized Ray from the podium at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies today, giving him credit for his role in creation of both the Shaw Dog Park and the 17th Street park.
Ironic that Fenty fires Ray, but then gives Ray credit for his good work. I guess I do have to give Fenty credit for recognizing Ray, but some days it is tough to figure out our mayor.
(Full disclosure: I know Ray and am supporting him in his bid against incumbent Phil Mendelson in the 2010 Democratic Primary for an At-Large Council seat.)
DC Striving says “yes” in Could it be true? Should our dogs rejoice?
Here is the last posting on the park: “K9Grass” is the Bright Green Stuff at the New Dog Park .
Will K9 Grass pass the Lupe test? She’s picky about her turf. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
“Thanks” to commenter on Wednesday’s “Dog Park Update: The Grass is Always Greener When It’s Artificial,” for pointing us to the February 10 news release on the dog park at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW… the shiny-grass like-green stuff that went down this week is K9 Grass.
The city appears to be close to finishing the dog park at 17th & S Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
Artificial turf went down at the new dog park at 17th & S Street NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
The city dog park under construction at 17th-S-New Hampshire NW seems to be almost ready. Today I watched them put down some very green material that is some sort of artificial turf (think AstroTurf). The workers unrolled the sheets-of-green and then stapled it down. There is even an artificial hill in the center of the park.
After delays due to the heavy May and June rains, a great deal of work has been done in the past week–although I didn’t see an opening date posted on the location today.
I have to ask… What will dog pee do to artificial turf? Will it be easy to pick up dog-doo? Will the turf be hosed down with detergent periodically?
I have to say, though, that artificial turf sounds better than the sharp, dusty rock chips in the Shaw Dog Park at 11th and R NW. Lupe often comes home with banged up feet from that surface.
- Get more information about the park at the DC Parks and Recreation Web site.
Construction of the dog park in East Dupont is underway at the triangle of 17th-New Hampshire-S Streets NW. (Photo: Luis Gomez, One Photograph A Day.)
April 1 Update: DC Parks and Recreation says that a June ribbon-cutting is scheduled for the opening of this new dog park.
Luis snapped this photo today while walking Lupe. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is working on the new dog park in East Dupont at the triangle of 17th-New Hampshire and S Streets NW. (Online info and drawings here at DPR Web site.)
I have not heard anything new on the opening date other than “spring.” Anyone know anything more about a specific date?
BTW, what do we call it? Is it the “17th Street Dog Park?”
