NPS-DC Parks, Recreation and Open Space Roundtable

NPS-DC Parks, Recreation and Open Space Roundtable
Meeting Summary
November 8, 2004

DRAFT

Attendees

Sarah Boasberg (Sally), Green Spaces for DC
Kate Herrod, Community Greens
Gayle Hazelwood, NPS, National Capital Parks-East
Kevin Brandt, NPS, C&O Canal National Historical Park
Karen Cucurullo, NPS, National Mall & Memorial Parks
Joe DiBello, NPS-Northeast Region
Destry Jarvis, Washington Parks & People
Neil Stanley, DC Parks & Recreation
Drew Becher, DC Parks & Recreation
Lucy, Michael, DC Parks & Recreation
Pochter, Ted, DC Parks & Recreation
Tammy Stidham, NPS-NCR
Glenn Eugster, NPS-NCR
Joe Lawler, NPS-NCR
Terry Carlstrom, NPS-NCR
Don Briggs, NPS, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Mary Rowse, citizen
Kathy Cox, Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Nanine Bilski, America the Beautiful Fund
Darwina Neal, NPS-NCR
Liz Guthrie, Green Spaces for DC
Dan Smith, Casey Trees Endowment Fund
Sally Blumenthal, NPS-NCR
John Parsons, NPS-NCR
Gentry Davis, NPS-NCR
Adrienne Applewaithe-Coleman, NPS-Rock Creek Park
Leslie Schill, DC Parks & Recreation
Joe Cook, NPS-NCR
Maria Lurie, Department of Interior, Sollicitor's Office
Don Fishman, DC General Council
Susan Boyd, Concern, Inc.
Bill Line, NPS-NCR
Heather Deutch, DC Parks & Rerecreation
Joan Prioriton, GSA and DC Preservation League

I. Welcome, Opening Remarks and Introductions

Terry Carlstrom and Neil Stanley welcomed the group and made opening remarks. Neil described the new DPR organization and introduced the managers responsible for various activities. Glenn Eugster and Ted Pochter, the liaisons for NPS and DC, provided brief comments on the purpose of the Roundtable.

II. Old Business:

NCPC Parks & Open Space Plan:
John Parsons indicated that in FY 06 there is a plan to look at NPS and DC parks and recreation plans and maintenance. John suggested that DC, NPS and NCPC should get together to discuss this effort. He noted that it was further complicated by the GAO Report [which is looking at the recreation use of parklands in DC]. He noted that the DC Comprehensive Plan is on hold and that NCPC doesn’t have the budget to redo the plan.

Sally Boasberg asked about whether there will be funding to maintain lands that are transferred from NPS to DC? She indicated that she was concerned about DC getting left with maintenance costs.

Drew Becher indicated that DC doesn’t have a goal for open space and they could take it [the plan] down to the neighborhood level. He said there were no large guidelines in place for parks in the City.

Gentry Davis asked whether the effort will look at schools? Drew indicated that they are open to other DC properties.

Sally Blumenthal suggested that the Office of Planning, and planning for acquisition, is key to this.

Destry Jervis asked whether DC’s determination has to wait until the NCPC Study? Drew said that this needs to be done in partnership with NCPC.

Kate Herrod asked whether existing park use is being considered?

Trust for Public Lands City Parks Book

Ted Pochter said that he talked to Peter Harnick of TPL. TPL will include DC and NPS parklands in the new book and that “bench-marking” is important to DC.

Meridian Hill Park Collaboration

Adrienne Applewaithe-Coleman reported on the discussions between NPS, DC and Washington Parks & People, about Meridian Hill Park. She said that it was NPS’s understanding that Washington Parks & People were to prepare a proposal for ways to partner. Destry Jervis indicated that a proposal is coming.


III. New Business

Kenilworth North

John Parsons described the Kenilworth North property and indicated that it had been used as a landfill/dump and in need of cleanup. John said that the House and Senate proposed to lease the property, the acreage of which is to be determined, to DC. The legislation calls for the lease 90 days from the date the law was approved-- November 11, 2004.

John said that a map is being prepared for external use and that it includes the end of Watts Branch. He noted that it was ridiculous how quickly the decision-making and legislation for this property moved. Neil Stanley noted that he was delighted by the action and this was a new opportunity for DCPR.

John Parsons indicated that the project must move through [be reviewed] by NCPC, and the Mayor and City Council. He was unsure how long that would take.

Gentry Davis asked about how law enforcement would be handled? Drew Becher noted there might be an opportunity to use the Metro Police Department and the Urban Park Rangers. Neil noted that DC would attempt to coordinate these two organizations more tightly.

Sherier Place House: 106 Issues

Ted Pochter said that DC had hired a consultant to look at options for the park. He said that one concept is to remove the house and open the park to the street to make it more accessible. He noted that because it is under federal ownership it has to go through the 106 process of the Historic Preservation Act. He said that an architectural assessment was being completed but that the 106 process, with the DC State Historic Preservation Office, hasn’t started their review.

Ted noted that the house was built in 1925 and that it is eligible as a National Historic register property. He added that NPS acquired the property in 1958.

Mary Rowse asked whether or not a formal 106 letter has been sent? Ted indicated that it has not been sent. Joan Prioriton added that the DC Preservation League sent a letter to NPS and DC requesting to be a partner in the 106 process.

Poplar Point Soccer Stadium Proposal
Sally Blumenthal noted that when news of the proposal to build a soccer stadium on Poplar Point appeared in the newspaper it was shock to NPS. She added that it is not in the Anacostia GMP but that DC's Sports and Entertainment Commission and a private developer have approached NPS. She said that NPS advised both parties that they don’t support this proposal and added that if there is community interest [in the stadium] there should be a study to identify alternatives with public input. Sally added that the stadium proposal calls for a “Nissan Pavilion-type of operation”.

Joe Lawler said that decisions about Poplar Point should reflect the community planning process and should stay true to the decisions that have been made. Terry Carlstrom added that the planning documents are already in place for this site and call for the elimination of NPS operation facilities.

Someone asked, who proposed this? John Parsons indicated that a private developer has proposed it. Drew Becher noted that the developer owns 3-4 stadiums across the country.

DC Parks & Recreation Urban Park Rangers
Drew Becher noted that DC was looking at what other cities are doing. Gentry Davis replied by saying that it is important to define the mission of the rangers. He noted that in the past the have been problems with DC rangers filtering into NPS areas.

Carl Cole noted that the ideas were excellent and that natural resources know no boundaries. Drew asked if it was possible to have NPS do some natural resources training for the DC urban rangers? Glenn Eugster agreed to discuss this request with Jim Sherald and report back to the District.

Gayle Hazelwood indicated that interpretive competencies and visitor services training should be added to this. Drew said that there will be 11 fulltime rangers and that he hoped they would be ready for Memorial Day. Terry Carlstrom suggested that the training might involve assistance from NCR superintendents. Tammy Stidham suggested that NPS Intake training might be an appropriate model. Drew said he wants to sit down with a core group.

Ft. DuPont Ice Rink Expansion
Don Fishman described a proposal for the Ft. DuPont Ice Rink and said that DC wants NPS input before they go out [with an RFP for design and engineering services]. He noted that this was the only indoor ice rink in DC and that the Friends of Ft. Dupont requested NPS to expand the facility and they said they would raise money to do this. DC’s role would be to support the project.

Gayle Hazelwood said that the proposal was going through an internal NPS review and that as soon as it is completed, and she hires her Deputy Superintendent, she’ll move on it.

Destry Jervis asked about the footprint of the proposed development. Fishman indicated that it roughly doubles the size of what is there now. Carl Cole added that Gayle, John Parsons and Sally Blumenthal were looking at the specifics of the proposal. He noted that the proposal calls for expansion of the facility into a natural resource area.

DC Recreation Summit
Gayle Hazelwood said that following the Wonderful Outdoor World Conference she spoke to Derrick Crandall about the idea of a youth summit modeled after the one done in Portland Oregon lead by Charles Jordan. She asked the group is there interest in organizing a youth summit?

Neil Stanley and Terry Carlstrom said that they are supportive.

Gayle indicated that the effort needs to be as inclusive as possible.

Someone asked does it have to only be for youth? What is the timeline? Gayle responded that the desired audience is youth and that a late spring-early summer 05 would is the target date.

Drew Becher urged the group to stay away from the summer. Neil Stanley responded by saying, count us in. He added that DC is trying to expand how they view recreation and are working towards meeting the needs of a more diverse population. In some situation now we have a golf course and swimming pool side-by-side and we don't communicate or provide access at all.

Nanine Bilski added that this type of approach is happening much more in other cities. Someone else replied that this seems to have relevance to the GAO study on the use of recreation lands in DC.

Terry Carlstrom, with confirmation from Joe Lawler, said that NPS is willing to help.

Community Greens
Kate Herrod briefed the group on the work of Community Greens. She stressed that green space where people live creates a sense of community to help manage the neighborhood. Kate noted that community greens work better than condominium associations because these areas encourage people to get to know leaders and they create stability in neighborhoods because of their amenity value. She added that they are also a place for kids to play, they reduce the heat island effect, stormwater, and create bird habitat.

Kate mentioned that her group wants to create a demonstration project in tandem with a legislative effort. Community Greens is working in Baltimore. There the City has over 13,000 vacant houses and 14,000 vacant lots. In Baltimore alleyways aren't assets and people have serious concerns about the use of the alleys for dumping, drugs and prostitution.

Her group went to the MD State Legislature for help and Baltimore now has the authority to gate, close and lease the alleys to a legal entity for $1 per year. Community Greens is now working with the City, with the support of the Mayor's Office, to develop ordinance support. Kate said this work might be a model for other cities and that she is talking with leaders in Alexandria and Arlington, VA about applying this approach.

Ted Pochter asked if Community Greens was working with privately owned parks and he noted that there was a 2-acre park in DC that might be appropriate for this approach.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail--Trail Route Designation

Don Briggs reported that in 1999 the DC Council passed a resolution for trails in the District. He said he would be talking with DC DOT about a process to recognize a heritage trail network. He also noted that this thinking was consistent with ideas that are described in the Ft. Circle Plan. It was noted that copies of the Ft. Circle Plan are available from Sally Blumenthal or Patrick Gregerson of NPS.

Oxon Run Master Plan
Gayle Hazelwood reported that NPS is hoping to do a management plan for Oxon Cove. They are in the process of hiring a consultant but noted that the US Fish and Wildlife Service did some concept planning for the area.

Gayle told the group that Oxon Cove was once a landfill area and the park has undergone considerable stress. John Parsons added that it includes a unique Magnolia Bog and the property is a prime piece of real estate that DC and NPS should look at together. He noted that there is an opportunity to link campsites and develop open space here.

Trash and Litter Campaign: Drew Becher said that DC wants to undertake a clean up and is willing to coordinate a trash and litter campaign.

Green Roof Conference: Drew Becher provided the group with a handout regarding the May 4-6, 2005 Green Roof Conference in DC.

Oxon Run: Michael Lucy noted that DC was distributing mulch. If anyone wants it please contact him.

Tree Removal and Recycling: Drew Becher mentioned that the District is talking to a small company to help with the removal and recycling of downed trees. Gentry Davis asked whether the District would have a place to store downed trees? Drew indicated that he should be able to report on this at the next meeting.

John Parsons added that the DC Department of Public Works is doing a study to look at the impact of the last ice storm.

Residential Open Space Requirements: Drew Becher reported that the District's Residential Open Space Requirement is being looked at. He noted that interior spaces are being created and counted as open space now. He said we need to look at this jointly.

Other Events: Glenn Eugster noted the following NPS-co-sponsored park workshops:
Nov. 10 Watts Branch
Nov. 16 Great Falls, VA

IV. Next Meeting

Note: The next meeting, which was scheduled for February 2, 2005, has been postponeed at the request of the District and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. More information on the location and meeting agenda will be provided.