October 17, 2024

Dear neighbors,

As chair of the Subcommittee on Recreation & Community Affairs, I am focused this fall on working with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to ensure we get the most out of our resources. Did you know that the Public Land Trust has ranked Washington, DC as the city with the best park system in America for four consecutive years. Each year, the ParkScore index evaluates the park system of the largest 100 cities in various categories such as park acreage, investment, equity, and submetrics including playgrounds and dog parks. With nearly 24% of the District designated as parkland, and 99% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park, DC is number one on the list.

Unique to DC is the equity of access to our parks. DPR manages and maintains hundreds of local parks throughout the District that are designed to serve residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Unlike most major cities nationwide, in the District residents who identify as people of color are equally likely to live within a 10-minute walk of a park as are white residents. By contrast, among the top 100 largest American cities, people of color have access to an average of 43 percent less park space. The research for the rankings also shows that DC residents were nine percent less likely to report poor mental health and 21 percent less likely to be physically inactive than residents of lower ranking cities. It is no surprise then that DC also ranks highly on lists of the fittest cities in America.

This week, I met with DPR Director Thennie Freeman to discuss my top priorities, which include continuing to expand equitable access to facility space as well as coordination between DPR and other entities, such as the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of General Services (DGS). DPR oversees 900 acres of parks and 68 recreational facilities, including 25 outdoor pools, eight spray parks, and 10 indoor pools. As part of the oversight process, this month I am visiting many of these sites across the city to see and hear firsthand the needs of facilities and staff members. DC has a wonderful culture of athletics, and our facilities are in extremely high demand. I will hold a roundtable on November 13 to discuss permitting, access, use, and capacity of athletic fields as the subcommittee explores the need for more recreational facility space.

In addition to DPR-managed parks, many spaces in DC are overseen by NPS. NPS-managed sites are a crucial part of the fabric of our city, including the stunning monuments and memorials that are known across the world. With so much of the District’s land managed by NPS, it is critical that the District government and NPS closely coordinate. My subcommittee will host a roundtable on December 4 to gain insights into how we can increase collaboration between DPR and NPS, as well as other stakeholders such as DGS, which oversees the physical buildings at many of our recreation sites.

I encourage you to get out and enjoy one of the many tremendous recreation spaces that DC has to offer this fall. If residents have questions regarding the subcommittee, they can contact Joe Dweck at jdweck@dccouncil.gov or at (202) 671-4617.

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

I am terribly saddened to learn of the passing of DeAndre Pettus, a 5-year-old child, in Ward 3 on Sunday, October 6. My heart goes out to his family, as well as the Murch Elementary School community during this difficult time. At this time, we still do not know all the details of what led to this horrific tragedy. The Metropolitan Police Department made an arrest on the preliminary charge of first-degree cruelty to children, those charges were filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the defendant appeared in D.C. Superior Court on Monday, October 7. Prosecutors await autopsy results, and the investigation is ongoing. The loss is heartbreaking and sadly follows the death in Ward 3 just the week prior of 1-year-old Journee Moore of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which has been ruled a homicide. These tragedies are reminders that laying a forceful hand on a child is never acceptable. They also underscore the imperative for the city to provide adequate services to our families with the greatest needs, and clearly there is more we need to do. The Child and Family Services Agency takes reports of child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To report suspected child abuse in DC, please call (202) 671-SAFE or (202) 671-7233.

On Tuesday this week, the Council unanimously voted in favor of the Early Childhood Educators Pay Scales Act, which sets new minimum salaries for teachers & bolsters our childcare workforce. According to a study in March 2024, to live comfortably in Washington, DC: a single person would need an hourly wage of $47.80; the salary needed for a single adult is $99,424; the total salary needed for two working adults with two children is $275,641. Unfortunately, most childcare workers, many of whom are women of color, make far less than that.

One reason it costs so much to live comfortably as a family in DC is the struggle to afford childcare. Too many families spend too much of their income on childcare. According to the recent survey in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book, on average, day care in the District costs parents $24,396 a year. That’s far and above Maryland and Virginia where the average cost is $11,090 and $11,579 respectively.

The Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund program has helped to address the shortage of childcare options which helps bring down the cost of care by boosting hiring and retention of early educators and improving compensation of childcare work. This allows childcare workers to live where they work in DC. The cuts that were proposed during the last budget process to the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund jeopardized the future of our early childhood education infrastructure, I was proud to fight to restore funding.

Thanks to the Early Childhood Educator Equitable Compensation Task Force for their recommendations to the Council which are reflected in these bills. This was a positive step forward, but there is still work to do to make sure we have full, ongoing funding for the pay equity fund so it can keep pace with cost of living and continue to deliver the positive impacts made in our early education workforce.

I fully understand the frustration among nearby residents with DC Water’s permitted overnight work on and around Connecticut Avenue NW near Military Road. I visited the site four separate times over the last week and observed jackhammering and heavy equipment use that is an undeniable noise burden on the surrounding community. The work is part of DC Water’s lead abatement and general maintenance of aging infrastructure and will continue in many areas across the city over the coming years.

I have reached out to DC Water and DDOT to underscore the need to do as much of this work as possible during daytime hours. I relayed residents’ complaints about highly disruptive loud noise in the middle of the night, and in response, DC Water committed to conducting the loudest work between 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm. While much of the loudest work is being done in that window, there continue to be episodes of noise throughout the night sufficient to wake residents. As the future work continues, I will advocate to DC Water and DDOT on behalf of residents to ensure that work is done in the least disruptive way possible.

Compounding the frustration around the overnight noise, residents are justifiably frustrated by the lack of communication and clarity about what to expect. It is imperative that DC Water provide clearer communication to the community about projects including responsiveness, detailed timelines, and other important information. I hope to hold a community meeting with DC Water and DDOT to review their plans for the ongoing work, address neighbors’ questions, explain the rationale for the approaches taken, and get community feedback. Stay tuned on the scheduling of such a community meeting.

In the meantime, the DC Water contacts for this work are interim Construction Project Manager Peter Tinubu at (202) 787-4337 or Peter.Tinubu@dcwater.com, Construction Project Manager Maria Gigova at 202-787-7621 or Maria.Gigova@dcwater.com, or Director of Community Affairs Emanuel Briggs at (202) 787-2003 or Emanuel.Briggs@dcwater.com.

Save the date! My next Workday in the Ward is Thursday, October 24 at Coffee Nature, 4224 Fessenden St NW, Washington, DC 20016, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Neighbors can chat directly with me, share concerns with my constituent services team, learn about legislative priorities, meet agency partners, and support a local small business. My team will be available throughout the day to meet with constituents, answer questions, and provide connections to government and community resources. Stay tuned for the full schedule!

MPD Hiring Event

On Saturday, October 19 at 9:00 am, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is hosting a Prospect Day Hiring Event. Prospect Day allows applicants to complete multiple steps of the application process in one day. To RSVP, please visit joinmpd.dc.gov and click apply now.

DOEE E-Waste Collection Event

Help keep electronic waste out of our landfills through recycling. The Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) is hosting Free E-Waste Collection Event on October 26 on Calvert St NW between 40th Pl NW & 39th Pl NW, south of Stoddert Recreation Center. The events are open to District residents, small businesses, and small non-profits. Accepted items include televisions, computers, printers, cable boxes, and more. For a full list of events and accepted items, visit www.rev-log.com/DCecycling.

DDOT Sidewalk and Roadway Improvement Projects

DDOT shared notice that they will begin a Sidewalk Improvement project along Cleveland Ave, NW, between 29th S NW/Calvert Street NW/McGill Terrace NW, and 30th Street NW, on Friday, October 18, 2024. This work will include concrete repair of curbs, gutters and sidewalk within the project limits. It is estimated to take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting.

DDOT will also begin a Roadway Improvement project along Dalecarlia Parkway NW, between Loughboro Road NW and Rockwood Parkway NW, on Wednesday, October 23. This work will include concrete repair of curbs & gutters and concrete pavement within the project limits. It is estimated to take approximately two weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Due to the nature of the work, curbside parking will be restricted at these locations during construction. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained throughout the construction area. The contractor is allowed to perform the concrete repair work for the sidewalk between the hours of 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM Monday through Friday and 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays. Please note the temporary “EMERGENCY NO PARKING” signs displaying the date and time of the construction work and move your vehicle if necessary. These signs will be posted on the streets a minimum of 72 hours before the start of work. If weather conditions, schedule changes or unforeseen issues do not permit the contractor to begin this work on the date stated, the new start date for construction will be listed on the Emergency No Parking Signs posted on the poles and trees throughout the construction project site.

For more information, contact Mr. Delante Toyer at delante.toyer@dc.gov, or 202-673-6813.

Leaf Season is Coming!

Leaf collection season is almost here! Collection will begin on October 28, and DPW will update residents weekly about when crews will be in their neighborhood. Once collections begin, visit https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf to track leaf collection or download the MyDPW App for leaf collection updates. A reminder that DPW launched the Unified Communication Center (UCC), and residents can reach out directly to DPW’s UCC for customer service needs.

• UCC Phone: (202) 673-6833 (Mon – Fri) 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Central Email: dpw@dc.gov. 
• To access information regarding this year’s Leaf Collection, please click this link to visit DPW’s Leaf Collection page.

A reminder that DC has a prohibition on gas powered leaf blowers. Companies or individuals that use gasoline-powered leaf blowers in the District are subject to fines of up to $500 for each offense. If you witness a violation of this law, you can submit the complaint online using the Consumer Complaint Form within 7 days of an alleged violation. For more information, visit Department of Licensing and Consumer Protections webpage.

Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption

DPW enforces the Winter Sidewalk Safety Act (WSSA), which requires District residents to remove snow and ice from the paved sidewalks, curb ramps, and curb cuts abutting their property after a snowstorm. The Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program (SSEP) exempts qualified residents who are disabled and/or 65 or older; the exemption is valid for two consecutive snow seasons. Once approved, residents must apply every other year to DPW to continue to receive the exemption.

All individuals who are accepted into the 2024-2025 exemption program will receive a certificate of acceptance from the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) for the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program period November 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025. Any resident found to be ineligible for exemption last year must re-apply by October 31, 2024, to be considered for the current exemption period. Residents who fill out an application will be considered for the next exemption period. Click here to apply for the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption.

TPB Community Advisory Committee Accepting Applications

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is accepting new member applications for the Community Advisory Committee. This is a great opportunity for community members who are interested in regional transportation issues. To learn more, visit www.mwcog.org/cac. If you have questions, contact Laura Bachle at lbackle@mwcog.org or 202-962-3273.

Palisades Hub Cultural Center

The Palisades Hub is a non-profit arts and cultural center that fosters community and imagination. The Hub celebrates the art and ideas of neighbors in the area, and hosts programming for the entire community including classes, events, and open-to-rent event spaces. The facility and campus are located at 5200 Cathedral Ave NW. The Hub is currently hosting a speaker series open to the public, and more information can be found here. To learn more about the Palisades Hub, visit palisadeshub.org.

DDOT Notices of Intent to Modify Traffic and/or Parking Requirements in Ward 3

• NOI-24-260-TSED: Safety Improvements on 42nd Street NW and Brandywine Street NW
• NOI-24-267-TOA: Installation of Diplomatic Parking Zone along the 2800 Block of 36th PL NW
• NOI# 24-281-TESD: Installation of No Turn on Red Signs at Intersections of Porter St at Connecticut Ave and Quebec St NW
• NOI-24-271-TOA: Installation of Reserved Residential Parking Space for Disabled Resident

Fall Festivals at Ward 3 Churches and Neighborhood Block Parties

I attended the 76^th Annual Armenian Fall Food Festival at St. Mary Armenian Church. There were all sorts of delicious foods including meats, veggies, and breads. It was great to experience the cuisine, as well as Armenian music and vendors! I also stopped by Saint Louis De France’s Family Day event, featuring sweet tarts, quiches, baguettes, beverages and activities for everyone. I also made it to the Fall Community Fest at the National United Methodist Church, a great way to connect with neighbors and have fun with nearby families.

I also went to a few recent local block parties in Ward 3. If you are hosting a free family-friendly community event or neighborhood block party, let me know so I can share it and hopefully attend!

Palisades Community Association Townhall

On October 15, I spoke to community members in the Palisades at a townhall style meeting. During the event I outlined what I saw as likely focuses on the Council this fall and was able to have a back and forth with residents about key neighborhood issues. Thank you to the Palisades Community Association for hosting me!

Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, November 13, 7 pm, McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, November 14, 7 pm, Zoom

ANC3C: Monday, October 21, 7 pm, Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, November 6, 7 pm, Zoom    

ANC3E: Monday, November 6, 7:30 pm, Zoom 

ANC3F: Tuesday, November 19, 7 pm, Zoom  

ANC3/4G: Monday, October 21, 7 pm, Chevy Chase Community Center & Zoom

First Fridays on Chevy Chase Main Street

First Friday in Chevy Chase is November 1st from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Attendees can enjoy business specials and family-friendly activities along the Chevy Chase corridor. Click here for more details.

UDC Van Ness Farmers Market

Shop fresh produce, prepared foods, and handmade goods at the UDC Van Ness farmers market every Saturday through November 21 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm outside of the UDC Student Center at 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Cleveland Park Night Market

October 24 is the next Cleveland Park Night Market from 5:00 to 9:00 pm in the 3300 Block of Connecticut Avenue NW. Join for some after hours shopping October 24 and support local artisans and makers! See the event page for more information.

DPR Halloween Events

It's Halloween in DC and DPR is offering events in all eight wards! Sign up today and make plans for tricks or treats at one of the themed events taking place throughout the District. Residents can view the list of more than 15 events from October 18 through October 31. From trick-or-treating and haunted houses to costume contests and pumpkin carving, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062