Media Contact Only: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195
This afternoon, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Clark E. Ray joined the Ward 2 community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a new entrance, central plaza, and two new playgrounds at Stead Recreation Center, 1625 P Street, NW.
“Today's ribbon-cutting marks the successful completion of another DPR capital project. These improvements at Stead have long been supported and anticipated by the neighborhood, and I'm proud to share in their excitement today," said Mayor Fenty. "The new playgrounds and plaza are sure to quickly become part of the lives of the children and families in the neighborhood."
Project work at Stead included:
- Construction of new and expanded and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible main entrance
- Construction of new central plaza with seating and artificial turf play area
- Construction of new planting areas
- Installation of new ornamental fencing
- Construction of new central shade structure
- Construction of two new playgrounds: playground for children ages 2 - 5 featured a new play structure; playground for children ages 6 - 12 features a new play structure and climbing wall. Both playgrounds have poured-in-place rubber safety surfaces
- Resurfacing of the existing full-size basketball court
- Two solar-powered “BigBelly” self-compacting trash cans, provided by the Friends of Stead Park
The cost of the project was $1.3 million; funding for this project was also provided in part by the Mary Force Stead Estate.
“The continuing involvement and support of the Ward 2 community has really made this project possible,” said Director Ray. “DPR is excited to open our second new playground this month, and to continue to demonstrate our commitment of providing quality recreational facilities for the residents of our great city.”
During construction of the new playgrounds, DPR discovered the remains of two brick foundations on the park grounds and had an archaeological investigation conducted. During the investigation, historic stone lintels (a horizontal structure, such as a beam or stone, that spans an opening, as between the uprights of a door or window or between two columns or piers) were salvaged from the Henry Hurt house, built in 1878 on the Stead grounds, and used and engraved as ceremonial plaques to mark the completion of this project. Additional information about the findings of the archaeological investigation is available on DPR's website, DPR.DC.GOV.
The new playground structures and surfaces have been certified by the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA).
Charles Carroll Carter of the Mary Force Stead Estate, ANC Commissioner Victor Wexler, and the Friends of Stead Park were also in attendance for the afternoon celebration.
Select the link below to view photos, additional information about this project, and the archaeological investigation in the “Planning and Capital Projects” section of DPR’s website:
For more information about ways to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.