(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis Ferebee celebrated Oyster-Adams Bilingual School’s new playground with students, school staff, and families. The $1.5 million project, executed and overseen by the Department of General Services (DGS), replaced two playgrounds and renovated the school’s “run around” turf field. The project also improved drainage under the field, provided contemporary playground equipment, and replaced perimeter chain link fencing with ornamental steel fencing.
“We know that having safe, fun, and beautiful places to play and learn are an essential part of a child’s school day,” said Mayor Bowser. “When we invest in parks, playgrounds, and rec centers, we make our community stronger. These spaces bring people of all ages together – they’re where friendships are made and new skills are learned, and we’re grateful for all the teachers, coaches, DGS teams, and DPR instructors who make these spaces joyful places for our community.”
Over the past three fiscal years, the Bowser Administration has invested nearly $16 million to renovate DCPS playgrounds and athletic fields, with another $7.4 million in the FY23 budget. The FY23 budget also includes $462 million over the next six years to construct and modernize parks, recreation facilities, and libraries. These investments will fully fund all remaining library modernizations and include new funding for the modernization of the Rita Bright Recreation Center, a new dog park at Oxon Run, a new recreation center for the River Terrace community, a new indoor pool at the Hillcrest Recreation Center, and a brand-new indoor sports complex at the RFK Stadium campus.
“Oyster-Adams not only provides a space for students to learn a second language, but is a diverse school community,” said Chancellor Ferebee. “This new playground will empower our students to make new friendships and go deeper in their journey of cultural education and awareness.”
“DGS is proud to deliver the Oyster-Adams Playground Project to ensure our children have the safe and fun spaces they love and deserve,” said DGS Director Keith A. Anderson. “We look forward to families enjoying the two playgrounds and new “run around” turf field for years to come.”
For more than 40 years, Oyster-Adams Bilingual School has served as a model for dual-language education in DC and nationwide; students learn 50% of their academic content in English and 50% in Spanish. In addition to ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Bowser acknowledged the Oyster-Adams school community for their annual participation in their “Kindness Walk” around the neighborhood and their food drive benefiting So Others Might Eat (SOME). The Oyster-Adams donations will support families and individuals experiencing food insecurity in the District.
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