(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today at the Anacostia Pool and Recreation Center, the Bowser Administration, led by the Department of General Services (DGS) announced that District recreational facilities across all eight wards are undergoing annual maintenance to prepare for summertime use. DGS facilities maintenance teams are servicing approximately 600 locations including indoor and outdoor pools, spray parks, and parks. Maintenance work also includes grounds maintenance work at municipal buildings and at DCPS schools. The facilities readiness program for swimming pools is in preparation for summertime activity once public pools are announced to be open. DGS was joined by representatives of the Department of Parks and Recreation which manages several city-wide programs for District residents of all ages.
“We know that the District’s recreational spaces are important now more than ever, said, DGS Director Keith A. Anderson. “The city’s pools, parks and spray parks serve a critical part of sustaining the health and wellness of all residents, and making sure they are up to par for use is an important job our teams perform at DGS.”
"As we look forward to opening outdoor pools and recreation centers at 50% capacity, splash pads at full capacity, and a likely increase in park and playground usage, it is crucial that our facilities and outdoor spaces meet a high standard of readiness for our patrons, said DPR Director Delano Hunter. "As DGS takes care of the maintaining and sustaining our properties, it allows DPR staff to focus on the best programming and customer care to welcome the community back to where fun happens, safely."
The District’s extensive spring-summer readiness program includes maintaining 55 parks, 39 community gardens, 27 spray parks, 12 outdoor pools, 11 indoor pools, 12 dog parks, and more than 130 fields and playgrounds. As part of the spring-summer readiness preparations, facilities teams verify the integrity of plumbing at pools and pool houses in preparation for the opening of the 2021 outdoor pool season. The process includes turning on water sources, power-washing and painting and inspections by the D.C. Department of Health. The seasonal preparation also kicks off the regular mowing season for approximately 650 District properties. Residents can make grounds maintenance requests for grass mowing, bush/hedge rimming and removal of fallen trees by requesting online at www.311.dc.gov/citizen/home, through the DC311 mobile app, or by tweeting @311DCgov.
With longer daytime hours, DGS is scheduling non-automated lighting to be consistent with Daylight Saving Time. DGS performs spring-summer readiness operations annually to reduce the likelihood of parks and other resources from being taken off-line for mid-season repairs. The operation also provides an opportunity for recreation center and pool staff to address maintenance issues from the previous season and provides for thorough inspections of parks and equipment before the heaviest season of use.
