CONTACT:
Doxie McCoy (EOM) 202.727.9691; [email protected]
John Stokes (DPR) 202.288.7275; [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Councilmembers, government officials, Fort Stanton Civic Association and Fort Stanton community cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Fort Stanton Recreation Center and Playground (1812 Erie Street SE). The ribbon-cutting was held in conjunction with the Fort Stanton Community Day celebration, which featured a performance by old-school rap artist, Kurtis Blow and was hosted by Justine Love of WPGC 95.5/CBS Radio. Fort Stanton Recreation Center is DPR’s first LEED silver facility in Ward 8 and the playground is the District’s fifth playground to be completed under Mayor Gray’s Play DC Playground Improvement Project, managed by the District’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of General Services (DGS).
“Today is a great day for the District, Ward 8 and the Fort Stanton Community. The recreation center is the first LEED Silver center in Ward 8 and the playground theme centers around the rich history of the District’s “Fort Circle” parks,” said Mayor Gray. “Improving every resident’s quality of life, and providing safe and inviting places for our children to play are just two of the important tenets of my One City Action Plan. The renovations and upgrades that we see here today at Fort Stanton Recreation Center and playground are an investment in our children, our families, our community and our great city.”
Play DC is a city-wide, multi-year initiative and the largest playground renovation project in the District’s history. Numerous community meetings were held regarding the Fort Stanton Recreation Center and Playground renovations.
Every playground under Play DC centers on a theme, most often taken from the history of the community or a focus-based theme. Fort Stanton playground has a “fort” theme, as it is one of the District’s “Fort Circle” parks. Fort Circle parks are locations built on grounds that were a part of the Union fortifications that ringed the District during the Civil War. The custom-made equipment reflects the rich history of Fort Stanton and continues to stay current with an ADA accessible merry-go-round and inclusive play equipment.
“DPR is proud of the final outcome of the newly renovated Fort Stanton Recreation Center and Playground. Making sure that residents are able to enjoy both a new center and playground was a top priority. The efforts that you see here today are a culmination of the Fort Stanton community, DPR and DGS coming together to create an amazing facility for the residents in Ward 8,” said DPR Director Jesus Aguirre. “Not only will the playground provide a positive exercise and play experience, but the newly renovated recreation center will have programs for youth, teens, adults and seniors. Fort Stanton recreation center and playground will truly offer something for everyone in the Fort Stanton community.”
The newly renovated LEED silver Fort Stanton Recreation Center will include amenities such as a gymnasium; fitness room; a senior room named in honor of Ms. Addie Cook, a pillar in the Fort Stanton community; a computer lab; a multi-purpose room in honor of Ms. Louise Daniel Hutchinson, noted historian and author; a teen/game room; a kitchen and large foyer with natural light. Programs offered at the recreation center will include DPR’s Young Ladies on the Rise program for teenage girls, Senior Walk and Talk/Chew and Chat activity for Seniors over 50, Line Dancing for all ages, and Poetically Speaking for teens, adults and seniors.
Fort Stanton playground is the 5th of 32 city-wide Play DC projects to be completed and is part of the District’s ‘Fort Circle Parks’. The fort themed playground includes custom made play equipment and amenities including a “poured-in place” rubber surface, inclusive play equipment, climbing features and an ADA merry-go-round.
Play DC has been a city-wide effort from the very start, leveraging the expertise of organizations including DDOE, OP, various other District agencies, local community groups and District residents. DPR currently operates 78 playgrounds. To date, Rosedale, Volta Park, Palisades and Noyes playgrounds are complete under the Play DC initiative. All 32 playgrounds are slated to be complete in Fiscal Year 2013.
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