Road Ahead for 1997
Although it's hard to believe, another year is coming to a close. We in the Kennedy Playground community are fortunate to have had a very successful and productive year. Early in the new year we were blessed to have been sent John Borges as our new Playground director. His hard work and commitment to making Kennedy safe for our kids is an inspiration to us all. Last spring found us working very hard (with the help of our architect, Ronnie McGhee), to develop the design for the new Kennedy Playground which was overwhelmingly accepted at the May town hall meeting. No sooner did we finish the design when Ruppert Landscape Company and Clark Construction approached us about installing a new little league field. The field and other landscaping improvements have dramatically transformed the Playground and it is heartwarming to see families returning to play on the now safe equipment. I look forward to our first official little league season next summer! In October, the Bullets painted a mural on the wall next to the basketball courts signaling their support for the Playground. Last, but certainly not least, Mayor Barry's committment to shift $2.5 million dollars to the Fiscal Year 1998 budget means that we can break ground on the new recreation center next Fall. We owe Councilmember Jack Evans, Michael Williams and Dr. Betty Jo Gaines, Director of Department of Recreation and Parks, a wealth of gratitude for their support and personal commitment to this project.
We cannot forget, however, that none of this would have been possible were it not for the efforts of this community to keep the momentum going on this project. We have begun to develop strong relationships throughout Shaw, building on our partnership with the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Council. A multitude of other events--Kennedy Playground Tree Box Day in June, the fabulous ShawFest in October--have shown the depth of commitment to the playground. I am proud of our achievements and look forward to working together in the new year! Happy Holidays on behalf of the Members and Board of Friends of Kennedy Playground.
Peter Easley, Chairman of the Board Friends of Kennedy Playground, Inc.
Community residents of the Shaw neighborhood, where Kennedy Playground is located, have spent over a year in planning the renovation of the playground. Suggestions and help are needed from everyone interested in seeing this important project happen.
The rejuvenated Kennedy Playground is important to the Shaw neighborhood, as the current playground has deteriorated to the point of being an eyesore and hazard to the community. But even more importantly, the surrounding neighborhood is the home to many hundreds of children, many living in apartment buildings, who desperately need a safe, clean and healthy facility--a facility that offers both organized activities and a vital patch of open and green space in which to play.
When finished, the Kennedy Playground will provide a vital respite to city streets for the children of the neighborhood.
If you believe as do we that children are important, that there must be spaces for them to play, learn and grow in safety, then this this is an excellent opportunity to act on your beliefs. Whether you can commit an hour or a lifetime to this task, you are welcome.
We invite you to join Friends of Kennedy Playground, a non-profit organization open to anyone and everyone committed to Playground.
To volunteer, or for additional information:
Please e-mail Friends of Kennedy Playground and mention Kennedy Playground in the subject line.
or contact
Peter Easley, Chair
Friends of Kennedy Playground Telephone: (202) 347-0507 e-mail: Peter
Easley
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