Fenty Administration Unveils New Playground at Hopkins Apartments

 

Community Gathers to Celebrate at Ribbon Cutting

CONTACT:
Monique Waters
(202) 552-8182(EOM)  

         

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Mayor Adrian Fenty, Executive Director of the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization(OPEFM) Allen Lew,  Acting Department of Parks and Recreations Director (DPR) Dr. Ximena Hartstock and Executive Director of the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) Michael Kelly gathered to celebrate the completion of the new playground at a ribbon cutting for the families at the Hopkins public housing apartment complex.

“Just two months ago, we held a groundbreaking to begin construction on this site,” said Mayor Fenty. “Today we unite with the community to celebrate this new state-of-the-art playground. I commend the residents for their dedication to this community and thank them for working with us to make this day possible.”

Government officials, residents, and members of the community all gathered at the newly resurrected playground where just 60 days earlier they had broke ground and announced construction plans.

“The process of planning, funding and building this playground was as much about community-building as it was about providing a state-of-the-art playground for our kids,” said Michael Kelly, executive director of DCHA.  

District agencies OPEFM  and DPR along with Hopkins Apartment residents worked hand-in-hand with a large coalition of community organizations including Urban Bridge Builders, Care Company, Make Kids Smile, the Boys and Girls Club, South Washington Collaborative, Faithworks, Neighbors United and Capitol Hill Group Ministry to make this project a reality.

The new playground facility includes:

•age appropriate play areas with multi-colored pour in place soft surface fall protection

•hopscotch area

•concrete planter boxes with water supply and garden hose hook ups

•skateboard area with fencing

•full-size basketball court with plexipave playing surface, backstops and hoops

•resurfaced color asphalt in the surrounding area with new park furniture including benches and picnic tables

Upcoming fall planting projects:

•environmentally-friendly grass pavers for erosion deduction

•compact burning bushes

•willow oak trees

“The Hopkins Playground is a great example of government and community working together to create a positive, active environment for our children and youth, ”said DPR Director Dr. Ximena Hartsock. “I am pleased that DPR assisted with resources and design consulting.”


"This has been an outstanding multi-agency collaboration,” said OPEFM Executive Director Allen Y. Lew.