A new Forest Hills Park advocacy group forms

The Forest Hills Park playground, shortly after its 2014 renovation.

Forest Hills Park exists today because people lobbied for a neighborhood play space nearly 90 years ago.

The park continues to need advocates, and a Van Ness Main Street-affiliated group is now taking on the task:

How about some Good Clean Fun in Forest Hills Park? That’s the name of a new group forming in the neighborhood with a mission to create community in a well-kept and welcoming gathering place.

Good Clean Fun, a project of Van Ness Main Street (VNMS), is applying to “Adopt-A-Park” through DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation. While the project is still in the early stages, plans include organizing regular clean-ups, hosting free family-friendly events, and exploring Park improvements with DPR. Founders include Sara Benitez, Erin Bryan (VNMS Board member), Merilyn Frances, and Tracy Zorpette, and are supported by Gloria Garcia, Executive Director of VNMS.

Left photo: Merilyn Frances, Tracy Zorpette, Sara Benitez
Right photo: Erin Bryan (right) and family in their Spooktacular finery

If you’d like to receive updates or volunteer at clean-ups or events, request to join the Good Clean Fun Google Group by emailing [email protected]. And to support the effort with donations of any size, please click here.

Forest Hills Connection is also a program of Van Ness Main Street. We maintain our editorial independence.