S&T Parks Update and Delay Info

I know many have been anxious for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to conclude work on the dog park at 17th & S, and the additional park at 17th & T. I'm included among those. A couple of updates on the subject.

We found out on Tuesday that the parks would be further delayed - into September - due to contractor mistakes on the astroturf. We were informed of the delay by The Dupont Current, rather than by DPR. I immediately reached out to DPR for clarification, and spent a great deal of time on the phone on Tuesday with Adriane Belinne, the COO for DPR and 2nd in command at the agency after Ximena Hartsock, the Director.

I expressed to him the community's displeasure about not being informed about the continual delays at the parks until deadlines were missed. At least three times the parks have been delayed with no community notification. That is entirely unacceptable in my view, and he agreed and offered to attend Wednesday night's ANC meeting, which he did.

On Wednesday we also found out that the T Street park, which has a lot of new plantings, would not have a fence around it due to budget cutbacks. We also found this out 2nd hand, with DPR notifying us only after we specifically asked about the issue. Unfortunately, not all dogs will use the dog park, so any plantings without fencing would be destroyed by the chemicals left from urine within a year or less. Commissioner Bob Meehan pointed this out to Mr. Belinne at our ANC meeting. Mr. Belinne committed to working with the commission to find some sort of fencing to protect the vegitation. Mr. Belinne also agreed that communication needs to be improved, and committed to fostering better communications with the community.

Earlier today, as a follow up to last night's meeting, Director Hartsock called and emailed me regarding the lack of communication and community notification of the project status, both in terms of the delays and in terms of the changes to the project due to budget cuts. In an email to me. Director Hartsock stated, "There is no excuse for the lack of communication. I deeply apologize."

I appreciate her candor and her acceptance of responsibility on this issue. She also has taken personal control of the project and will be providing the community updates on its status henceforth.

As a final follow up, Councilmember Jack Evans' office called to follow up on the park issue, and will be following up directly with Director Hartsock as well, both on the continued delays and to reiterate Commissioner Meehan's concerns about fencing for the T Street park. I'll keep you all updated as much as I am able.