Contact: Doxie McCoy (EOM): (202) 727-9691, [email protected]
John Stokes (DPR): (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Chief of Staff John Stokes, Department of General Services (DGS) Director Brian Hanlon and ANC 8E02 Commissioner Anthony Muhammad joined the Douglass community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which opened the newly renovated Douglass playground at the Douglass Community Center (1898 Stanton Terrace, SE). Students from Turner Elementary School also attended the ceremony.
“We are pleased that each Play DC play space embodies its own significant theme that characterizes the neighborhood," said DPR Chief of Staff John Stokes. "What better way to pay tribute to one of the greatest abolitionists of all time, than we do here in Ward 8 for Frederick Douglass? The children have an opportunity to bring the elements of play into this space, and they can also step into the life of Frederick Douglass and bring his experiences to life."
The Douglass playground design centers around the life of the historic abolitionist, author, social reformer and statesman, Frederick Douglass, who, after escaping from slavery became the leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining recognition for his oratory, and incisive antislavery writing. Born in Maryland, Douglass was a resident of the District of Columbia, and his home is a national historic site in nearby Anacostia. The playground design builds on a theme of memorial groves, which represent three instrumental phases and places in Douglass' life.
The playground is one of the 32 new play spaces originally designated for renovation under Mayor Gray's Play DC: Playground Improvement Initiative in 2012. For the new fiscal year, Mayor Gray added eight more playgrounds, bringing the total to 40, making Play DC the largest playground renovation project in the District's history. The Douglass community, along with Ward 8 stakeholders, attended community engagement and planning meetings with DPR and DGS to finalize the project.
"The Department of General Services was honored to design and construct the new playground, which pays tribute to Frederick Douglass and provides the community with a play space that includes the District’s first constructed zip-line, a community garden and play areas for residents of all ages," said DGS Director Brian J. Hanlon.
New features at the Douglass playground include ground net climbers, green roof pavilions, a free-standing rhythm spinner, walking trail, fitness stations, basketball courts and more. Douglass is also the first DPR playground to feature a zip-line, an aerial rope slide.
DPR currently operates 92 playgrounds in the District. To date, the following 24 playgrounds have been renovated, and are now open:
- Ward 1 – Harrison, Banneker;
- Ward 2 – Volta Park;
- Ward 3 – Palisades, Macomb, Key Elementary School;
- Ward 4 – Raymond, Emery, Takoma, Hamilton, Fort Stevens, Upshur;
- Ward 5 – Noyes, Harry Thomas Sr., Brentwood; Turkey Thicket;
- Ward 6 – Rosedale; Kennedy;
- Ward 7 – Neval Thomas Elementary School, Benning Park, Hillcrest;
- Ward 8 – Fort Stanton, Fort Greble, Douglass.
ABOUT THE DC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
The mission of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is to enhance the quality of life and wellness of DC residents and visitors by providing equal access to affordable and quality recreational services, by organizing programs, activities and events.
DPR currently operates 92 playgrounds, 68 recreation centers, almost 1,000 acres of green space, 40 aquatic features (pools and spray parks), 375 parks, more than 200 play courts (basketball and tennis), and more than 100 athletic fields.
For information on DPR facilities, programs and activities, follow DPR on
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