ANC2C02 Forum

The Shaw Dog Park group's initial application for a dog park on the grounds of Shaw Jr. High School has been denied in a recent letter from DPR. The Shaw Field on the grounds of Shaw Middle School is managed by DC Public Schools and is apparently not going to be made available for use as a dog park. However, the Department of Parks and Recreation will consider developing a dog park in one of 2 locations within my ANC 2C02 single member district. One location under consideration would be the area on the northeast corner of the Kennedy Playground. An alternate site would be the now paved, area next to the Bundy Field; this location is a National Parks Service property that DPR manages.

DPR is prepared to accept and review an application for two alternate dog park locations: 1) adjacent to Bundy Field — located on P Street, NW between 5th Street and New Jersey Avenue, NW, and 2) the treed area in the northeast corner of the Kennedy Recreation Center grounds, 1401 7th St., NW. Both of these alternate locations are operated by DPR and would not conflict with current uses.

I will be attending a meeting next week with George Kassouf, Councilmember Jack Evans and other interested community stake holders to discuss our next steps in bringing a dog park to Shaw.

According to DPR regulations, not only will their final decision require local community input and my sign off, but a community group will have to be organized to take responsibility for some managerial duties for a dog park. As far as I know these are the only sites in Shaw being considered and other areas in Shaw have already been discounted for one reason or another. There is a discussion about a dog park proposal for a site in the area of 10th St north Massachusetts Avenue. But I think residents in Shaw might prefer something more convenient. Since the Bundy area is on the eastern edge of my SMD and one block west of New Jersey Avenue, I would welcome input from neighbors on the eastern side of New Jersey who would likely use and be impacted by such a park as well.

I realize that some residents at 2nd Northwest Coop, to the south of the Bundy area have expressed concerns about that location and hope some of them would share their concerns as well. I know there are dog owners at 2nd Northwest Coop who I hope will share their thoughts. We can also follow up an online discussion with a public meeting in the near future to further address the issue.

Potential dog park locations in Shaw at the Kennedy Playground and near Bundy Field in ANC 2C02.