D4 The Afro-American June 22, 2024 - June 28, 2024
Mayor Bowser announces the official grand opening of the Reservoir Park Recreation Center By J. Pamela Stills Special to the AFRO
Mayor Muriel Bowser (left); At-large D.C. councilmember Kenyan McDuffie; Ward 5 Council Member Zachary Parker; former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner C. Dianne Barnes; Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Nina Albert and Director of D.C. Department of General Services Delano Hunter all participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Reservoir Park Recreation Center on Saturday, June 15, 2024 in Ward 5 of Washington, D.C. The recreation center includes an aquatic center and access to a 6.2-acre park.
A look at the Reservoir Park Recreation Center, with a view of the lower level courtyard.
Robert Sockwell (left), of Ward 6, and Arthur Linder, of Ward 5, attend the grand opening of Reservoir Park Recreation Center.
Top-level view of the pool, located at the aquatic center.
On Saturday, June 15, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrated the grand opening of the Reservoir Park Recreation Center, located at 2501 First Street N.W. Community leaders who were also in attendance for the celebration included Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Nina Albert, Director of D.C. Parks and Recreation Thennie Freeman, Ward 5 Council member Zachary Parker and Director of D.C. General Services Delano Hunter. Mayor Bowser and community leaders led a ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming community access to the recreation center, an aquatic center and a 6.2 acre park located on the former McMillan Sand Filtration site. Community leaders touted additional improvements the Ward 5 community could look forward to such as a grocery store. The recreation center houses a multipurpose room with a warming kitchen, fitness studio with lockers and shower facilities, a gallery and an outdoor gathering space that includes two splash pads and an amphitheater. The aquatic area of the center highlights a pool with three-lap lanes and a learn-to-swim area. The park area comprises an immense grass field, a children’s playground, the Olmsted Walk, which encircles the site with adult exercise stations and the restored Memorial Fountain. The center will be managed by D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation and maintained by D.C. Department of General Services. The recreation center will operate Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The aquatic center will operate Monday through Friday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All photos by J. Pamela Stills
Ava Ferguson enjoys the new water activities offered at the center.
Former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner C. Dianne Barnes gives remarks before the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Reservoir Park Recreation Center.
Mayor Muriel Bowser applauds efforts to renovate public land for public use and the learning that occurred during the development of the recreation center.
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert addresses those attending the ribbon cutting At-large D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie speaks to ceremony for the new the crowd during the grand Reservoir Park Recreation opening. Center.
Thennie Freeman, director of the D.C. Department of Parks Director of D.C. Department and Recreation, lays out the benefits and amenities that of General Services Delano Hunter highlights the efforts are available to all of D.C.’s residents with the opening to preserve and honor the of the 6.2 acre park grounds. history of the site.
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) Nina Albert (left); Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 5E05 Kevin Rapp; Director of Strategic Initiatives at Office of the DMPED Gilles Stucker; Director of D.C. Parks and Recreation Thennie Freeman; Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker; Former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner C. Dianne Barnes; Mayor Muriel Bowser; At-large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and Director of D.C. General Services Delano Hunter prepare to cut the ribbon signaling the opening of the recreation center.
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