Many of you may have been surprised by the announcement by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) that the Shaw Dog Park will be closing on April 1 for at least a year. The Volunteer Board of the Shaw Dog Park was shocked when that information was first shared with us the day before our February 20 Annual Meeting.
We have pushed back in an attempt to get a phased closure of the dog park, but have been told that is not possible. However, that does not mean we do not have work to do to ensure our voices are heard!
We are requesting a temporary location be established nearby during the construction. We have also requested the long promised meeting where the community can give feedback on the design of the Dog Park, Rec Space, Skate Park and Basketball Courts.
We encourage you to reach out to DPR – specifically Tommie Jones (Tommie.jones@dc.gov) to ask him the following:
· Shaw Dog Park receives contradictory information and broken promises about the park’s future. Why does information constantly change and why is it not communicated clearly? In addition, why did DPR wait so long to inform the users of the Shaw Dog Park about a total closure that could last longer than a year?
· When is the Shaw/Logan Community going to get a meeting to weigh in on the DPR space that is part of the Shaw/Logan Community – we have been asking for and promised a meeting for 7 months.
· Is DPR going to find a temporary location for the users of the Dog Park? Where and when will it be open?
· When will the Shaw Dog Park re-open? At the Banneker Modernization Meeting on March 2, the construction manager said the space would reopen next spring, but the sign says it will be closed for the duration of the Banneker Modernization and open in the Fall of 2021.
We are also working with ANC Commissioners John Fanning and Alex Padro to see if the ANCs can put forth a resolution to ensure a temporary location is found and secured. Additionally Councilman Charles Allen’s office has offered to continue to stay engaged and help facilitate action on our behalf. We would encourage you to copy the ANC Commissioners and Councilman Allen on your communication. John Fanning, 2F04.ANC@dc.gov Alex Padro Alexander, 6E01@anc.dc.gov Councilman Charles Allen, callen@dccouncil.us.
We need you to make sure DPR knows how many people there are in our city that care about the Dog Park – if you want to ensure we get the space now and in the future do not stand by – MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
