by Marlene Berlin On Wednesday morning, I set off early on a hike through Rock Creek Park. I wanted to beat the heat and the sun, but ran into some rain instead. Soon after I started, around 6:45 a.m., I started to feel a light misty rain. It soon turned into drops. I could have […]
A new addition to Linnean Park is an Eagle Scout service project and an ideal ‘shinrin-yoku’ spot
by John Burwell Scout Troop 100 has once again contributed an amenity for the enjoyment of visitors in Linnean Park, thanks to a recent Eagle Scout service project. On May 3, Life Scout and Sidwell Friends junior Ian Condon led almost 20 scouts from his troop in assembling and installing a heavy-duty metal park bench, […]
More things to do in June: Violins and pickleball in our parks
One of the joys of walking neighborhood streets and trails is the unexpected encounters along the way. Here’s just one example: A year ago, our editor-in-chief heard the faint strains of violins while on a hike in Rock Creek Park. Following the sound, she eventually stumbled upon a violin concert at Picnic Grove #13. You […]
June in the Neighborhood: A toy swap, children’s concert, yoga in the park, Create by the Creek, and more
Spend a fun day at Forest Hills Park. Thanks to Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun initiative, June 6 is a day of service, community and music, with an all-ages cleanup, a community toy swap, and a performance by Grammy-nominated children’s music artist Mamá Elena. Create a work of art at Peirce Mill. Artists have been inspired by […]
You’re invited: A party Saturday celebrates the end of the Soapstone sewer project
Starting in March 2022, the signs above greeted people at the Soapstone Valley trailhead on Albemarle Street. DC Water closed the park for a sewer rehabilitation and stream restoration project that it initially expected to last one and a half years. Four years later, the project is complete, and DC Water is throwing a party […]
The spring bird migration brings out the birdwatchers in Rock Creek Park
by Marlene Berlin Hikes through Rock Creek Park in recent weeks have featured several encounters with fellow hikers sporting field glasses and all sorts of fancy cameras and accessories. They are birdwatchers on the lookout for migratory birds, especially warblers. Many are recording their sightings and photos here. “Spring migration turns Rock Creek Park into […]
Families get to enjoy a tidier Forest Hills Park, thanks to volunteers
The first Forest Hills Park cleanup of 2026 took place last weekend. One volunteer reported picking up more than 50 cigarette butts (though smoking is illegal in DC parks). Another took care of an even more disgusting problem. More from the neighbors keeping up with the park’s upkeep: Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun […]
On the Soapstone trail, solving two problems with one stone
by Marlene Berlin On a recent hike along the Soapstone Valley trail, I was greeted by a surprise at the first stream crossing: no more wobbly or submerged rocks. This is thanks to Doug Rosenthal, a runner in the park, and two volunteer trail maintainers from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club at work on another […]
Volunteer in the neighborhood: Park cleanups, Van Ness Main Street events, NW Community Food, Peirce Mill
Want to give back to the community? Opportunities abound for service-minded people, including students in need of community service hours. Pitch in for spring cleaning at local parks. Van Ness Main Street’s Good Clean Fun initiative is hosting an April 25 cleanup at Forest Hills Park. All ages can pitch in. Just make sure you let a […]
Beech leaf disease is the latest threat to our urban forest (Sponsored)
This article is sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts. by Bill Eck, Board Certified Master Arborist If you’ve lived in the DC area long enough, you’ve witnessed major changes to our neighborhood canopy. More than a decade ago, the emerald ash borer swept through and quietly removed most of the green and white ash trees from […]