Petworth Rec Center

At Saturday's UNTS [Upshur-New Hamp-Taylor-Seventh] community meeting, it was reported that major renovations of the Petworth Rec Center are about to move forward. The center, at 8th and Taylor, will have a new playground for small children (age 2-5). In addition, the current grassy hill area with the flagpole in the middle will be razed flat for better police visibility, and will be replaced with a new play area for older children. Completion is expected as early as May.

For more info, email Dorothy and Kevin Blackwell at [email protected].

Comments

[Mike]

A Petworth Rec Center Update:

This is a follow-up to the update provided to the community at the July 11 ANC meeting related to the Petworth Project

Bids have been solicited on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for construction contractors to build the Petworth playground/spray park. The bids were initially due back to The Office of Contracts and Procurement (OCP) on August 2nd. However, because of the detailed scope of services for this project, a request from the contractors was sent to OCP for an extension.

As a result, an extension has been granted to allow the contractors additional time to provide an accurate cost proposal so as not to delay the process any further. The new bid submissions are due on August 11th which will effect the start date provided at the ANC meeting, but we are still well within the timeline to complete the project by the December 31st deadline. Once the contract has been awarded DPR will be able to provide more detailed information about the actual start date.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this update. If you have any additional questions or concerns feel free to contact me.

Jackie Stanley

DPR Capital Projects Coordinator

202-576-7356 (office)

202- 541-9279 (fax)

[Susan]

Ugh, just read the DC Parks and Rec article - unbelievable. So does anyone know how the children's playground at Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan was built? That playground is beautiful, with high quality playground equipment and lots of trees and landscaping. It's made such a difference in that area - just having parents and small children playing there all the time makes the park seem like such an inviting place, and I know that wasn't always the case. I want to refuse to believe we can't have something like that here, but after reading that article on DPR...I just don't know.

[Bill]

Well maybe it's the heat talking but this is crap. I've emailed Ms. Stanley and Fenty, we'll see if we can at least lift the fog a bit... I let them know people are getting pissed off. (I know - oooo, that'll scare 'em)

[Tim]

Come on Bill, you're an old time DC'er, you know "clarification" isn't really a feature of our city's government. My bet is that this park will be finished by the time my 3 year old gets out of high school. I hate to be so cynical about it but anything that involves kids and their well-being tends to get kicked to the curb.

[Bill]

What? Bids??? A finished, detailed design plan was presented to the community a long time ago. Delays to this point were blamed on weather, minor bureaucratic delays... This sounds like they're starting from scratch. Have they kicked out the old contractor? And how could Ms. Flowers' office promise a July start if "bids" are due in August?? Some serious clarification is needed.

[Mike]

Here is an update from Jackie:

The Office of Contractors and Procurement (OCP) have solicited bids for the general contractor to construct the playground and spray park. The bids are due to OCP by the cob tomorrow (August 2, 2006). Once the bids have been received and reviewed by OCP a contractor will be selected. We anticipate the OCP process taking approximately five (5) business days. Once a selection is made I will be able to provide more detailed information about the start date for construction.

[Mike]

I had previously spoken with a different person to get an update on this issue. You may want to try and speak with her if you are unable to get any response from Kimberly Flowers.

Jackie Stanley
DPR Capital Projects Coordinator
202-576-7356 (office)
[email protected]

[John McLarty]

Sorry about the sloppy spelling on the previous post!

[John McLarty]

Susan,
In June, 2006 I made a similar inquiry directly to the Parks Director - Kimberly Flowers regarding the Recreation Center Renovations which are desparately needed. She had one of her deputies call me and they did a great P.R. job of explaining away the delays and promising work would start by the end of July (yesterday). What is maddening about this is the groundbreaking took place in early Sept. 2005. They even had a tractor and some heavy equipment brought in as props for the ceremony. Here it is are almost a year later and still NOTHING for the children and an eyesoar of a park that invites an element that requires no description to those living in and aroung the center. I hope with the new Fenty administration we will see a day of reckoning for inept city agencies that leave consituencies, in this case the cities youth and children, with unkept promises and few signs of hope.

[Susan]

I just reread this again - almost a year and a half ago, work was "about to begin" to build a new playground at the Petworth Rec Center in the 800 block of Taylor St. NW. Does anyone know when this will move forward?

[Bill]

Thanks Karen for the followup. I stand corrected about which play area is going where. I had it reversed.

[Karen W. Archer]

The grassy hill is being leveled and a toddler play area will be built which will take up a small part of the green space. Most of the green space will remain. These plans have been in the making for the past year and a half. The existing play area will be upgraded for kids 12 and under. There have been several meetings about this project and I know for a fact that flyers have been handed out inviting the community.

[Bill]

I'll see if I get more details about plans for the rec center. I do know that police have complained for a long time about how they can't see over the grassy hill from the street. I don't think it will be paved... I've heard that 'older' kids means age 5-10 or so.

[John]

As a resident of the 800 block of Taylor Street, I am confused about the description of the grassy hill being razed to create a play area.

This is the only green area left in that park, is it going to be paved? That would be tragic. Also, what kind of facilities are being installed for play by "older children"? The B-ball courts are already a magnet for drug use which I see constantly.

Can you please provide more details on the plans for this park. Are there drawings? Does anyone in the neighborhood have a say as would be the case with a business or other development plans?

The grassy hill is pretty and it will be sad to see it go. It's awful to allow a beautiful natural area to be ruined in the for the sake of police visibility or crime.

Thanks.