We recently spoke about how good the trolley park renovations were looking at 11th and Monroe St, NW but I just noticed this fantastic old photo at the park. And now we know why it’s called Trolley Park:

More info from the Friends of Bundy Park.

View Larger Map

Photo by PoPville flickr user n0rbert.

From an email:

“ Take a survey being conducted by the US National Arboretum. It is a chance for DC area residents to weigh in on the future of the 446 acre public space. This information will be used in the strategic planning for the future of the Arboretum. So if anyone wants to see bikeshare there or segways or cafes or concerts or a classical Chinese Garden there, here’s a chance to be heard.”

You can take the survey here.

Photo by PoPville twitter follower @MikeRucki

Mike writes:

“Media and police onsite for Occupy K Street evictions. No significant activity yet…”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

Jan. 2012

Thanks to a reader for sending the photo above from 11th and Monroe St, NW (Trolley Park). Construction began back in Aug. 2011 but it’s finally starting to take shape. Looking forward to seeing how it looks with blue skies in the Spring. Also looking forward to seeing who patronizes it…

Sept. 2010

Back in early Dec. I was super psyched to see that the Jeanne d’Arc statue in Meridian Hill Park got its sword back. Turns out that wasn’t the whole project. The material was treated/painted black (it formerly looked greenish.)

What do you think of the new color?

Back in Oct. ’11 a reader asked what would happen to the Koi fish in Meridian Hill park during the winter months. I’m happy to report that they are being saved this morning by the Washington Humane Society!

They write:

“November 17, the Washington Humane Society will rescue the hundreds of koi fish that were dropped into the pond before it is drained for the winter season. We will collect the fish and give them to G and G Aquatics, a trusted organization that serves the mid-Atlantic region including the National Zoo and the National Aquarium, who will help to find them homes.”

Awesome!

“Dear PoPville,

I was at Meridian Hill Park today enjoying the beautiful weather today, and had an interesting conversation with a gentleman about the recent addition of the koi fish to the pond there. I apparently had the fortune to bump into the man responsible for adding the koi. He said he purchased 80 small koi from a pet store and dumped them in the Meridian Hill pond back in June. 60 of them died, but the 20 that survived have spawned quite a lot of new ones. There were easily a few hundred medium sized koi swimming around, and countless little guys.

Normally they drain the pond during the winter. Are these koi doomed to die? I was also wondering if dumping fish into a park pond could end in some sort of fine/infraction from the city?”

Wild. You’re right – the pond and fountains get turned off for winter. Is anyone a Marine Biologist!?!? Sorry I’m actually a huge tropical fish enthusiast so this would be horrible if they were killed. Anyone have a good contact in the Federal Parks Department?

“Dear PoPville,

Do you or your readers know anything about the city’s plans for the former community garden on the edge of Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan? Gardening has been banned for years now, but it’s hard to understand how a weed field is a better use of the historic cemetery.”

I can’t recall hearing any plans for this space recently. We spoke about Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan (including the community garden and cemetery) here.

What do you guys think should be done with the plot of land?

Back in Jan. ’09 I suspected that the Georgetown waterfront park was going to be sweet. Well, it has been completed and it is indeed totally freaking sweet. Best new park to hit DC since Yards Park by Navy Yard.

I hit it on a cloudy day but you can imagine how insanely awesome it’ll be on a sunny day.

I love how it goes all the way down to the water in one section:

North Columbia Heights Green is located in the alley behind 11th St, NW b/w Sherman, Lamont, and Park Rd, NW.

“Dear PoPville,

I just thought I would let you know that the park on the corner of French and 10th Street NW is finally open after MONTHS of being finished [it seems].”

I said it when they were close to opening in May ’11 – the transformation is pretty awesome. Here’s how the park looked in July ’08:

Photo by PoPville flickr user Wayan Vota

Yesterday, a reader asked if DPR was going to be hosting a doggie day swim when the pools close after Labor Day weekend. Via tweet, DCDPR shares the good news that this year’s doggie swim will be at:

“Francis (2435 N Street, NW) Upshur and Banneker (2500 Georgia Avenue, NW) pools on September 10th from 12-4.”

DCDPR updates with a press release:

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will partner with the Department of Health (DOH) to host their 3rd Annual DPR Doggie Day Swim on Saturday, September 10, from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Upshur Pool, 4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW, and Banneker Pool, 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW. With the end of the outdoor swimming season, this annual event provides dogs with a one day opportunity to enjoy a swim and play games. DOH will be on location to monitor the health and safety of the pets and their owners. They will also provide outreach and education regarding pet vaccinations, dog licenses and dog park licenses.

Admission is free to DC residents and their dogs. Attendance the day of the event will be based on capacity at the time of arrival. During the Doggie Day Swim, there will be limits to the number of dogs in the pool area at one time; 75 dogs at Upshur Pool, and 150 dogs at Banneker Pool.

To maintain order at each of the pools, dog owners are asked to follow these rules:

Dog handlers must be 16 years of age or older
Dog handlers cannot swim or enter the pool with their dogs
Dogs must be sociable and remain leashed while on the pool deck
All dogs must wear current DC dog license
All dogs must be current on vaccinations including rabies

The event is subject to favorable weather conditions. DPR staff may cancel the event if the weather does not allow for safe pool conditions.

If anyone goes – take some photos for me!

Thanks to Eric for sending these great pics of the renovated Bartholdi Park/Fountain. We took a look pre-renovation, when the fountain was fenced off, in Sept. ’10.  Bartholdi Park is located near the Capitol and behind the Botanical Gardens Greenhouse. One of the best spots in the city.

This looks like it could be another great (not so) hidden gem. Their Web site says:

“The Tregaron Conservancy is a nonprofit organization founded in January 2006. As the property steward of thirteen acres of recently protected and donated land, the Tregaron Conservancy is restoring and maintaining an important historic landmark.

The twenty acre estate Tregaron lies between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park and borders on a small strip of Rock Creek Park. This land was once part of a larger estate known as Twin Oaks.”

The mission of the Tregaron Conservancy is to preserve, rehabilitate and maintain historic Tregaron Estate built in 1912. With thirteen acres of land in Washington, DC, placed into a conservancy as open green space never to be developed, the Tregaron Conservancy is now cleaning up and stabilizing the deteriorated landscape. The Conservancy is restoring this famous property, following the original maps and plans of Tregaron Estate’s renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman. With the help of the community and generous supporters, we have rehabilitated the extensive bridle paths and pedestrian trials. We have planted over 50 new trees and 2000 daffodils. With miles of paths throughout the woodlands, lily ponds, gardens, meadows and along the streams, Tregaron Estate is open to visitors for their use and enjoyment. In the future, the Tregaron Conservancy will host lectures, guided walks, and cultural events – welcome to the public and at no charge.

The view above is from Macomb St, NW just west of Connecticut Ave, next to the Washington International School.

Has anyone done a tour of the property?