Community Members Gathered for Parks Update Meeting

July 1, 2015

More than 60 people attended a NoMa Parks Community Conversation on June 18th for an update on the NoMa Parks initiative, including all of the efforts currently underway. NoMa Parks Foundation President Robin-Eve Jasper gave a presentation on the history of the Foundation and the NoMa Public Realm Design Plan, which is the framework for the proposed parks projects.

This was the first of three Community Conversations planned for the next 12 months. The purpose of these sessions is to provide an overview of the efforts of the NoMa Parks Foundation and gather additional community input. Participants shared a meal together, heard presentations on the history of the NoMa Parks initiative and various planning efforts, and talked about what they are most looking forward to with respect to the planned parks. Each individual project, such as the L Street Plaza, the NoMa Meander, and the NoMa underpasses, will also have its own separate public meetings to get important community feedback on each such activity (see below for information on the July 13 L Street underpass meeting).

Through survey questions, participants also indicated ways they currently use park spaces:

• Top recreation activities include biking, walking/hiking, jogging, picnics, and dog walking.
• Top locations for recreation included Metropolitan Branch Trail, National Mall, Rock Creek, and the Anacostia Waterfront.

Neighbors want the parks in NoMa to serve a variety of different functions.

Many participants were particularly interested in NoMa Green (the large recreational park planned for the northern part of NoMa), which will include green space, trees, and recreational space. People also expressed interest in other green spaces, a significant tree canopy, places for gathering, and art. View more information on all projects discussed  here.

To view the presentations, project boards and summary notes from the NoMa Parks Community Conversation, please click here.

See below for information on the next community meeting to be held on July 13. There will also be a Community Conversation in October