DC to close plastic library

Posted By Si Kailian, 11/20/08 8:38 AM

Wapo says DC has decided to close its 5 plastic libraries including the Sursum Corda Library at 135 NY Ave NW. You may have noticed the green cloverleaf shaped monstrosity by the NY Ave playground and wondered what is that? The bums seemed to like the yard for their morning, afternoon & evening nip, but I dont think the actual library got much use. If i am not mistaken, a shiny new modern library is being constructed as part of the Northwest One development. At a previous MVSNA meeting this year we had Joyce Robinson Paul, who is leading an effort to improve the NY Ave Playground and the little community center there. We discussed the impending elimination of the adjoining library and wondered what should be done with the parcel. Thoughts?

Sursum Corda Community Library by dclibrary.

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Comments

how about a dog park that fenty has promised us.

Posted By k. driscoll / At 11/20/08 4:16 PM

Development of that park needs to be kept to a minimum. The neighborhood can not withstand another large recreation facility. There is a new large Recreation Center being built right across the street as part of the first Northwest One development. There does not need to be another one less than a block away.

Whatever is done has to be done in conjunction with ANC6C02 since the residents of the "Chimney" area are located closest to the park (than all put one partial block of Ward 5 residents.) We already have to put up with the traffic and issues with the use of the current park and with the new Dunbar playing field across the street. We cannot take any use which will bring even more people to the area.

Posted By RobA / At 11/20/08 4:30 PM

I'd favor expansion of the park in some way. It would be nice if we had a relatively small fenced in dog run area, but given that it is adjacent to residences, it might not be an ideal location. Other options. Maybe a tennis court or might that be too noisy as well? We only have one in the area at the Kennedy Rec Center, which is not always open or available. A nice area in which to sit would be good, but that seems to only attract alcohol and drugs, which have a history at that location. We could expand the existing playground. Is there something outside the ordinary that might go there? An outdoor theater space suitable for movies or performances? A roller hockey rink (might not be enough room/interest). A handball court (or is Brooklyn the only place with handball courts?). Maybe we just build a nice gateway/entrance to the park at the site, with an expanded playground. I'm just throwing ideas out there.

Posted By Cary Silverman / At 11/21/08 8:11 AM

Cary, the noise isn't the issue as much as the increased automobile traffic and parking. Most weekends this past summer and fall, we could not find a parking space within a block or two of our homes because of the non-neighborhood activities taking place in the park and at Dunbar. Anything that could be done to make the paqrk mroe attractive and usable by the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods (and not residents of other areas and MD), would be welcomed. Tennis Courts are a great idea ... but a bowling alley would not.

Posted By RobA / At 11/21/08 9:06 AM