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Welcome Neighbors,
 

Don't Forget! 2021 Membership Renewal

There's never been a better time to start or renew your membership! To be more inclusive, we've reduced our 2021 dues. Your monetary contribution directly funds dog park maintenance (including turf cleaning and waste bag purchase), park events, community activities, and green space education and development in Eckington.

With your membership donation for calendar year 2021 ($60/individual or $100/two adults in a household), you'll become a Friend of the organization, receive regular updates via email, be able to attend and vote at organization meetings, and have access to other perks (like having your pet featured in our newsletter or on social media!). Seniors (65 years and older) can become a Friend for just $30/individual per calendar year. Click here to start or renew your membership

If you're interested in becoming a member through volunteer hours instead, you can find more information here.



Join our March 15 Member Meeting (with special guest speaker)

We invite Friends (and prospective Friends) of Eckington Parks & Arts (EP&A) to join our next meeting on March 15 at 7 pm. We'll share park and dog park news, EP&A advocacy efforts, and event plans. We'll also enjoy a special presentation on native plant gardening by guest speakers from local nonprofit DC Natives.

Topic: Eckington Parks & Arts - March Member Meeting
Time: Mar 15, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81113207177?pwd=dlRHcVBkYzlrNnMwR1BJbXcwK0dkZz09
By Phone: +1 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 811 1320 7177
Passcode: 662612

 

Join Ready2Play - Complete the Survey by March 1

DC's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is developing their master plan for the next 20 years - Ready2Play! Community members can submit ideas and feedback to let DPR know our priorities for Eckington and nearby neighborhoods. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey so NE voices are heard and included.


Let DPR know what you want to see in our community - whether it's more green spaces and public gardens, exercise stations along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a dog park in neighboring Edgewood, increased outdoor recreation programming, an improved softball field at Harry Thomas Rec Center, or something else. Click here to take the survey!



Honoring the Life and Legacy of Alethia Tanner, Namesake of Tanner Park

You know Eckington’s newest park as Tanner Park. But the history of the park’s namesake – Alethia “Lethe” Tanner – is as rich and colorful as the trees, plants, and murals that now occupy the 2.5 aces of green space along Eckington’s southeast edge.
 
Alethia Tanner was born into slavery in the 1780s in Prince George’s Country, Maryland. Over the course of her life, Ms. Tanner became an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for the Black community in the District. As a slave, Ms. Tanner kept a small garden and eventually opened a vegetable stand in what is known today as Lafayette Square. She raised enough money by 1810 to purchase her freedom and that of dozens of family members and neighbors in the years that followed. Ms. Tanner helped start the first school for free Black children in the District and co-founded the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, standing today as the oldest Black church in the District's original 10 square miles. By the time of her death in 1864, Ms. Tanner had lived to see the Emancipation Proclamation signed into law, accumulated property, and funded the education of family members who became leaders in the District.
 
Today, we honor the life of Alethia Tanner, her legacy, and her “roots” in gardening through the care of, and deep appreciation for, the precious outdoor community space that we now call Tanner Park. #AlethiaTannerPark

 

Green Spaces At Home This Spring

With Spring on the horizon and most snow-days behind us, it’s finally time to think of our gardens and greenspaces. A little planning now can make the warmer months more beautiful and interesting. Our neighborhood is a patchwork of potential greenspaces that can be nurtured to create greenways through Eckington. Property owners and renters can replace grass and non-native plant species with gardens of native plants supporting birds, butterflies, and vital insect pollinators.

Native plant gardens tend to be more self-sufficient and lower maintenance, tolerating D.C. temperature extremes and city conditions with less watering and care. Pollinator gardens and trees create valuable habitats for birds and insects vital to a healthy urban ecosystem. Some common natives seen around our neighborhood include redbud trees, honeysuckle vine, coneflowers, and creeping phlox.

Besides the benefits to the natural world, these greenspaces help reduce rainwater runoff, improve air quality, support psychological health, and increase property values. Many residents also enjoy urban agriculture and vegetable gardening at home. Extensive informational resources exist to help property owners and renters create important greenspaces. Business and multi-unit dwelling owners and managers can also participate in these efforts. Subsidized and free planting opportunities for gardens and trees are available through D.C.’s RiverSmart Programs. More information is available on our website: https://eckingtonparks.com/greenways.
 


Reminders for Dog Park Users

The dog park at Tanner Park is an amazing community asset, and we want to keep it safe and clean for all our neighborhood pups. Per DC law, all dogs using the park must be vaccinated against rabies and distemper viruses. These vaccines are given every 1-3 years depending on the dog's age and vaccine formulation (occasional medical exemptions by a veterinarian may apply). Although not required, we request that dogs also be vaccinated against parvo virus and kept on on year-round preventative medications for fleas, heartworms, and other parasites (as recommended by your veterinarian). 

We've had some toy-related medical emergencies and cleaning issues over the past month and have updated our dog park rules accordingly. We ask that dog park users please abide by the following rules to help keep our pups safe and park clean. Please visit our website for additional information and a humorous twist on the rules! 

  • No stuffed toys or toys that break easily
  • No toys or balls smaller than a tennis ball
  • Remove damaged toys and toy parts/pieces immediately
  • Remove toys if causing guarding or aggression between dogs
  • Clean up immediately when your dog poops
  • Monitor your dog at all times
We request that neighbors bring only sturdy toys that are tennis ball size or larger. Please monitor your dog's use of the toy closely. When not in use or if causing guarding issues, toys may be placed out of reach on the dog park shed. Thank you for your cooperation!



Twice Monthly Neighborhood Cleanups

Eckington Parks's GreenWays Committee and Eckington Civic Association invite you to join our bimonthly cleanups: March 6 and 20, 9am - 12 pm. Whether you have 20 minutes or 2 hours, grab a trash bag and walk your block - or head to Tanner Park - to show Eckington some love. Say hello to neighbors and tag us in photos on social media while you clean (@EckingtonParks).

If you’re out on March 20th, 10-11 am, stop by Tanner Park dog park to meet one of our board members and grab a trash bag for your cleaning! 
Can't make it out to clean on Saturday? That's okay! Find another time that works for you - because every little bit helps keep Eckington beautiful.

For neighbors on the volunteer path to membership - cleanup hours count toward required volunteer hours! Submit your Volunteer Hours Tracking Form for credit.



About Eckington Parks & Arts

Eckington Parks & Arts is an action-oriented nonprofit, philanthropic group that supports and activates Eckington’s public spaces. Founded in 2020 to coincide with the opening of Tanner Park, the organization fundraises to support maintenance and upkeep of the dog park and programming and events for Tanner Park and the Eckington neighborhood. EP&A is a partner of Green Spaces for DC.

 

Follow Eckington Parks & Arts on Social Media

Give us a follow on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook - and invite your neighbors, too!

Twitter: @EckingtonParks
Instagram: @EckingtonParks
Facebook: facebook.com/eckingtonparks
 
@EckingtonParks
facebook.com/eckingtonparks
@EckingtonParks
Website
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Copyright © 2021 Eckington Parks & Arts, All rights reserved
227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, DC 20002

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Eckington Parks and Arts · 227 Harry Thomas Way NE · Washington, Dc 20002 · USA

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