For information on the environemental assessment for wetland restoration including resident goose control, go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/anac

 

Anacostia Park                                                                   News Release

Release date:                 Immediate

Contact:                            Sue Bennett, Site Manager

Phone number:            (202) 472-3884

 

Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion to Close for Repairs

 

Washington, D.C.— The National Park Service will temporarily close the Skating Pavilion at Anacostia Park in Southeast D.C. , beginning Monday, September 14, 2009,  to replace the building’s aging roof. Managers expect the closure to last approximately four months, with work scheduled to be completed by mid-January, 2010.

 

Public restrooms facilities will be open at the Aquatic Resources Education Center located next to the Pavilion.   Pavilion bathrooms will close to accommodate construction activities.  Park offices at the Pavilion will be intermittently staffed during this period and not accessible to the public. Please contact park staff at (202) 472-3884 and leave a message to request information or to schedule an appointment with park staff. The adjacent basketball courts, parking areas and fields will remain open.

 

This is the first of a series of planned improvements to Anacostia Park. Later this year, playground equipment adjacent to the Pavilion is scheduled to be replaced.  Future work includes the addition of the new Anacostia River Trail and improvements to Anacostia Drive.

 

We regret any inconvenience the temporary closure of the Skating Pavilion may cause while we make improvements for park visitors.

 

North Field Closure to 2011

In an effort to continue to enhance the visitor's experience in Anacostia Park the North Field will be closed for visitors used until March 2011 for construction. During this time reservations for cookouts, special events and field play will not be accepted for the North Field.

By the conclusion of the construction the park will be enhanced with a new bike/walk trail connecting it with existing trails in Washington DC.

 

America's Best Idea Celebration on the Ellipse

On September 26th, National Public Lands Day, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation are inviting Americans to visit their parks and get involved through a day of service and celebration of what historian Wallace Stegner called “America’s Best Idea”– our National Parks. 

 

The National Capital Region is inviting everyone to volunteer on September 26th in the morning with their favorite park or discover one of the other 13 national parks in the area. And as a way to top-off a great day, we are hosting to a special celebration for everyone on the Ellipse with all 14 local National Parks and one very special guest, HonoraryNational Park Service Ranger Ken Burns whose new film The National Park's: America's Best Idea will be premiering on PBS the following night.

 

The America's Best Idea Celebration on the Ellipse will be an evening of fun, family, and a film! We will share our 14 local national parks, engage visitors in the importance of park philanthropy, enjoy live music, recruit volunteers, and watch a sneak peek of the The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, with Ken Burns!  

 

Please plan to join use. There will be a special partner tent on site for all our park friends groups to share information about their organizations and engage with the visitors on the importance of park philanthropy. There will also be a volunteer recruitment tent with representatives from each of the 14 parks.

 

The proposed schedule for the night:

5:00PM-7:00PM - Park interactive, family fun, activities with Rangers

5:00PM-7:00PM - Washington Monument extended hours (proposed).

5:00PM-7:00PM – Music on the Ellipse and free ice cream (as supplies last)

5:00PM-9:00PM - Friends Groups and Volunteer Tents (tents go dark during film)

7:00PM-8:30PM - Film sneak peek with Ken Burns and other special guests.

 

Please join us in celebrating America’s best idea! 

 

Call Wendy. O'Sullivan of National Capital Region at  202-619-7492, or go to www.nationalparks.org for information