Mayor Vincent C. Gray Opens Renovated New York Avenue Recreation Center and Playground

WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, District officials and community leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly renovated New York Avenue Recreation Center and Playground at 1st and N Streets NW. The center had been closed since 2009, when it was used as a Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) daycare facility. The Mayor also announced that the DPR will release an RFP for programming at the New York Avenue Recreation Center as well as Randall Recreation Center. DPR is interested in programming contractors who can bring comprehensive, outcomes-based programming to these two sites. The RFP is scheduled to be released in October 2012.

“We are investing in the District’s playgrounds and parks because every resident should have a safe and inviting place to play and be active,” said Mayor Gray. “And we will leverage the District’s resources to institute high-quality programs for our residents at this revitalized facility via the RFP process.”

 The New York Avenue Recreation Center and Playground renovation project included:

·        Repairing existing play equipment;

·        Installing site landscaping, play surfaces,
         a new HVAC system and water heater;

·        Installing new exterior and interior site lighting;

·        Removal and replacement of a metal storefront,
         windows, interior and exterior doors, roof, furniture, 
         computers, flooring and ceilings;

·        Installation of new fencing around the playground;

·        Installation of AED equipment, security cameras, 
         and IT equipment; and

·        Renovation of restrooms and bringing them up
         to ADA-accessible standards.

 “DPR is excited that we will be offering organizations an opportunity to support our work in providing outcomes based programming at our facilities,” said DPR Director Jesús Aguirre.

 DPR operates 78 playgrounds and 68 recreation centers throughout the District of Columbia. In the past few months, DPR has renovated playgrounds at 1st & Florida Avenue Playground; 7th & N Street Playground; 11th & Monroe Street NW Playground; South Dakota Avenue Playground; Shepherd Park Playground; Watkins Playground; Chevy Chase Playground; and Parkview Recreation Center. Rosedale Recreation Center Playground and Fort Stanton Playground are under construction and Barry Farm Recreation Center Playground is slated for renovation.

Mayor Gray also recently announced that $9.3 million is in the budget to renovate other recreation center playgrounds across the District.

For more information on DPR, visit us at www.dpr.dc.gov, follow us on Twitter or Facebook @DCDPR, or call our main number at (202) 673-7647.

You can also share your feedback on this recreation center or other DC government projects and services at www.grade.dc.gov.