Park View, D.C.

Field house at the Park View Rec Center in 2009.

A short time ago, Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham announced that $400,000 was appropriated yesterday to renovate the historic 1932 field house at the Park View Recreation Center. Of all the short-term needs at Park View Rec, the field house was the most important and in the greatest need.

I’ve been a strong advocate of renovating the old field house and for a long-term master plan to completely rebuild the entire site in the not so distant future. On March 29th, I testified at the DPR Budget hearings to make a case for funding both. During the testimony, Councilmember Graham briefly attended to lend his support for continuing the work already begun at Park View.

As you can read from Coucilmember Graham’s announcement below, he was successful in working with Councilmember Barry to secure funding to renovate the filed house. Both Graham and Barry deserve a great deal of credit for supporting this project and ensuring it will move forward.

From area listservs: 

Dear friends,

I am pleased to tell you that, on my recommendation, Councilmember Barry took action yesterday in his committee, to appropriate $400,000 to renovate the “little house” at Parkview Recreation Center.  Thank you, Councilmember Barry!

With all the recent much-needed enhancements at Parkview–the rec center itself, the playing fields, basketball courts, shaded area–this will add significantly to our short-term renovation. The steadfast support of Mayor Vincent Gray has made the difference in all of that. And we thank him again!

It is my intention to work with ANC member Kent Boese–who also deserves credit for all his advocacy for this improvement– and other stakeholders to convene a community groups to determine the best approach for the new renovation.

I know there are longer term improvements that are desirable, such as a new, larger Rec Center building, and a consolidation with eth elementary school–but this is solid step forward.

Bests Councilmember Jim Graham