Two Petworth parents advocate for more DPR swim lessons

Two Petworth parents advocate for more DPR swim lessons

As every parent who has ever tried to sign their child up for DPR swim lessons knows, it’s next to impossible. In Ward 4, DPR lessons are only offered at Takoma Rec Center, not at Roosevelt High School nor at any outdoor pools like Upshur.

Read More


submit to reddit

DPR reopens indoor exercise and pool facilities, with limitations

DPR reopens indoor exercise and pool facilities, with limitations

On Thursday, October 1st, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Mayor Bowser announced that they will reopen indoor pools on a modified schedule, and opened registration for limited in-person fall programs at specific DPR locations. DPR centers have been shut down since March in response to COVID-19.

Read More


submit to reddit

Budget approved for Roosevelt HS pool to open for public use

Budget approved for Roosevelt HS pool to open for public use

The DC Council has passed two votes so far on approving additional funding for the construction and other changes needed to open the pool at Roosevelt High School for local residential use. Another vote and Mayoral approval still need to be done.

Read More

List of closed pools & spray parks due to DC Water issues

List of closed pools & spray parks due to DC Water issues

According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, here is a list of the pools and spray parks closed to the DC Water issue. Upshur pool and the Petworth spray park are definitely closed. They should reopen tomorrow (Saturday). Here’s a list…

Read More


submit to reddit

Rules of the pools... what you need to know about using DPR community pools

Rules of the pools... what you need to know about using DPR community pools

The Department of Parks and Recreation has 21 outdoor pools and 11 indoor pools, and they all have the same rules for using them, including what you can wear, what toys you can bring into the water, and what you can do while there. If you don't follow the rules, you could be asked to leave.

That happened on June 9th to a teen that one person said had been doing nothing but sitting on a lounge chair and had not attempted to go swimming, and another witness says the teen was verbally abusive and left on her own.

So what are the rules?

Read More


submit to reddit

DPR makes changes to splash parks and kids' pool due to activism from Petworth community

DPR makes changes to splash parks and kids' pool due to activism from Petworth community

A couple of weeks ago I received a tweet that the kids' pool at the Upshur Pool was closed, much to the consternation of parents. Then again, this weekend, the kids' pool was still closed due to a lack of lifeguards. Then on Saturday, at 7pm during the Petworth Jazz Project, the spray park at Petworth Recreation Center suddenly turned off. It's hot, and kids want a way to keep cool, and parents want a way to occupy their children during the heat of the day.

Read More