Several years ago the Potomac Triangle Parks, public spaces located between the Potomac Gardens and Hopkins Apartments public housing complexes (in Southeast Washington DC) were renovated. However, the ambitious plans never fully came to fruition because the government funding ran out before any meaningful landscaping could be done. Provisions for maintenance fell by the wayside as well, resulting in conditions wrought by neglect overtaking the parcels. Disuse fostered an unsafe environment that led to tragedy in October 2019.
In June 2020, ANC Commissioner Kelly Waud (6B07) asked Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC to rescue the Potomac Triangle Parks from the downward spiral. She helped us form an alliance with Brothas Huddle to organize the residents of Potomac Gardens and Hopkins to reclaim these overgrown and underutilized spaces and make them more attractive, usable and safe - and keep them that way.
Our collaboration empowered the residents of this community to assume collective "ownership" of these spaces in order to improve and maintain them for their own use and benefit through "sweat equity." Neighbors embraced the residents of Potomac Gardens and Hopkins through this project with donations and physical labor.
Capitol Hill Corner: Guerrilla Gardeners Rally Community to Take on Potomac Avenue Triangle Park
Guerrilla Blog: Unsung Heroes of Potomac Triangle Parks
By the end of September, the parks had been cleaned up and gardens filled with chrysanthemums replaced weed patches. Volunteers returned in November to plant bulbs, daylilies and liriope for the following year's bloom.
Hill Rag: Guerrilla Gardeners Give Triangle Parks a New Look
The commitment of Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC to the Potomac Triangle Parks and the Potomac Gardens and Hopkins community is broad, strong and long term, extending to the end of 2025. During this period, an autonomous "Friends of" group will be established to maintain and further develop the parks.
In addition to landscape improvement and maintenance, we will offer education and training opportunities as well as organizing and supporting creative programming for these spaces working with Brothas Huddle and other groups.
- Planting 1,175 bulbs (300 tulips, 700 daffodils and 175 Asian lilies)
- Splitting and planting 265 daylilies
- Planting 130 liriope
- Planting 8 crape myrtle
- Planting 80 shade varieties (hosta, ajuga, coral bell, coleus)
- Planting 10 azalea
- Planting 3 tea olive
- Planting 72 chrysanthemum
- Adding 20 bags of soil conditioner
- Applying 55 bags of mulch
- Weeding (so much weeding!)
- Edging
- Clearing brush
- Mowing (thanks Clay!)
- Installation of gravel path
Thank you volunteers!
Potomac Triangle Parks on August 26, 2020
Potomac Triangle Parks on September 26, 2020
The initial phases of the renovation of the landscape in the Potomac Triangle Parks are now complete. Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC will continue to maintain and develop these spaces throughout our five-year commitment.
However, flowers and shrubbery alone will not bring these parks to an equitable status in this underserved community. The absence of frequent and constructive activity in these spaces will eventually invite the misuse that previously resulted in devastating consequences. Our goal is to partner with various groups to introduce positive energy into these parks through social, cultural, recreational and educational events.
While programming these spaces is beyond our core mission, this role will eventually be filled by the autonomous "Friends of" group we will help to establish in the coming years. At that point the vision of the Potomac Triangle Parks community assets and the confirmation of the vital nature of green spaces in an urban environment will be realized.
More information about these events and programs will be posted as it develops.
Social
Easter Egg Roll
Mothers Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Teddy Bear Picnic
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Garden Day
Saturday, July 24, 2021
A celebration of the reclamation of the Potomac Triangle Parks
Splashapalooza!
Cool fun in the hot sun
Halloween
Costume parade and treat distribution
Christmas
Spreading the joy of the season
Cultural Series
Summer Sunday Jazz
Sketchers in the Park
Recreational Series
Community Walks
Fitness Classes
Yoga
Educational Series
Gardening Seminars
Mentorship
Donations made using the link below are placed in a dedicated fund to be used exclusively for the Potomac Triangle Parks.
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Work alongside the residents of Potomac Gardens and Hopkins as they improve these spaces for the benefit of us all. Come get your hands dirty!
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