Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrated the opening of the $20.9 million Edgewood Recreation Center in Ward 5. The newly modernized Edgewood Recreation Center, designed to meet LEED Silver Certification, features the DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) first-ever rooftop urban farm and is the first facility to have a natural gas generator to keep the facility online during a power outage.
“This new beautiful, state-of-the-art recreation center has something for everyone in the Edgewood community–a place to play, learn, and even grow fresh produce,” said Mayor Bowser. “Through our investments in facilities like these, it’s obvious how DC came to be–and will remain–home to the number one park system in the nation.”
The Mayor was joined at the ribbon cutting by Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Department of General Services (DGS) Director Keith A. Anderson, DPR Director Delano Hunter, ANC 5E10 Commissioner Nancy Jones, and members of the community.
“Growing up nearby, I used to spend a lot of time in the old Edgewood fieldhouse, including attending preschool there,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “Now, I am so proud to celebrate the grand opening of this new, state-of-the-art Edgewood Recreation Center. This new facility is an investment in the Edgewood community and will provide people of all ages with a place to gather and engage in athletic, fitness, social and cultural activities.”
The new facility replaces the previous recreation center, built in the 1947, with a multi-level state-of-the art community recreational hub inside and out. The new center includes:
- Full-size gymnasium
- Classrooms, multipurpose room and lounge
- Reading room
- Teaching kitchen
- DPR’s largest fitness center
- Amphitheater
- Waterfall and splash creek
- Outdoor playground and renovated courts
- New artificial turf field with fitness walking trail
- Over 100 new trees
“I am pleased that DGS, working in conjunction with DPR and the community, is able to bring to completion this new facility that can be used by people of all ages,” said DGS Director Keith A. Anderson. “In fact, this facility will positively impact Ward 5 for generations to come.”
The new facility is ADA compliant and also includes outdoor solar charging stations, and DPR’s first waterfall and splash creek.
“This is a modernization truly worthy of celebration and we have exciting and quality programming lined up for the community to enjoy,” said DPR Director Delano Hunter.