March in the Neighborhood: Soapstone sewer project meeting; Make Connecticut Ave. bloom; Welcome spring with dance

A sewer bypass pipe awaiting installation in the Soapstone Valley. (October 23 photo)

Soapstone Park closed one year ago for a project that includes stream restoration, and restoring and protecting the sewer infrastructure in and adjacent to the valley. A new phase is getting under way on Monday, March 13th: relining the 115-year-old sewer pipes.

In advance of the work, DC Water is hosting a community meeting on Thursday, March 9th from 7 to 8 p.m., “to provide updates on our schedule and other project-related matters, and also address any remaining community questions and concerns” about the work, including the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) process used to manufacture the new lining on site.

ANC 3F03 Commissioner Mitchell Baer, at DC Water’s request, has already sent the agency a list of resident questions and concerns. Those include:

• Sequencing of operations for the CIPP process
• The sewer bypass system and its integrity
• Neighbor notification process
• Specific guidelines for residents when CIPP is occurring
• Measures to ensure safety of workers, residents and children
• The conditions under which a shutdown process be necessary

Community members can join the meeting at 7 p.m. on March 9th, on Microsoft Teams (by clicking here at the appointed time) or by phone:

+1 202-753-6714,,297061807#
Phone Conference ID: 297 061 807#

The project’s aim, ultimately, is to protect Soapstone Creek – and those downstream – from sewage leaks and spills. Other ways to protect Rock Creek Park and its tributaries include trash cleanups and invasive species removal events.

Rock Creek Conservancy is gearing up for its Extreme Cleanup in April, but volunteers gather to remove trash from the Rock Creek watershed year-round. Want to learn how to organize a cleanup, and gain access to the conservancy’s tools and know-how? Register for one of RCC’s Stream Team Leader training sessions. There’s one on March 8th, at 6 p.m., and another at noon on March 25th.

Upcoming invasive species removals on the conservancy’s calendar include two on March 25th at Reservation 630 East and Trail 9.

You can then go from pulling invasive weeds (under the watchful eyes of certified Weed Warriors) to planting native wildflowers (under the watchful eye of a Master Gardener). Kathy Sykes chooses plants that support and sustain butterflies, bees and birds. And she and Van Ness Main Street will start their spring planting program on Saturday, March 25th, from 1 to 3 p.m. To volunteer, contact Kathy at (SykesKathy@yahoo.com) with your available dates along with your cell phone number. She will provide the exact Connecticut Avenue planting location ahead of time.

Other events on our March community calendar include:

• Rock Creek Morris Women at Peirce Mill and Lights-Out Hour DC on the 25th.
• And jazz bandleader and composer Davey Yarborough at UDC on the 29th.

And:

#DidYouKnow? March is Orchid Month at Hillwood, with a great number and variety of orchids in bloom this month than in any other season. Our month-long focus on these exotic beauties features virtual workshops, virtual tours, and colorful displays. https://t.co/7mfNahjRqt pic.twitter.com/NHIv5dPNE7

— Hillwood Museum DC (@HillwoodMuseum) March 5, 2023