FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1E
Government of the District of Columbia
2605 Sherman Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Contact: Commissioner Brad Howard, ANC 1E Engagement Secretary
www.anc1e.org | 1E01@anc.dc.gov
WASHINGTON — At its April 23 public meeting, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E unanimously passed a resolution in support of creating a new dog park on the southeast corner of Banneker Park, located near 625 T Street NW.
The proposal, which has been under discussion between local residents and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), would formally designate approximately 6,100 square feet for off-leash dog use—surpassing the agency’s 5,000 square foot minimum standard.
Residents and dog owners have long utilized the underused southern field at Banneker, which includes a baseball diamond and a track. The ANC’s resolution emphasizes community priorities to preserve all existing grass and trees on the site. The Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), DPR staff, and the DPR Dog Park Application Review Committee (DPARC) have each determined the location to be suitable for a dog park.
The resolution urges DPR Director Thennie Freeman to expedite final approval of the site after the required 30-day comment period in the DC Register, citing strong agency and community support. Commissioners Brian Footer (1E07) and Josh Jacobson (1E06) were designated to represent ANC 1E in all matters related to the dog park application.
“This project is a great example of neighbors organizing around a shared vision to improve public space,” said Commissioner Josh Jacobson (1E06), who authored the resolution. “The proposed location meets every requirement and already serves as an informal gathering place for dog owners. It’s time we make it official.”
“We’re proud to support this thoughtful, community-backed use of green space,” said ANC 1E Chair Brian Footer (1E07). “We urge DPR to move quickly and help deliver this much-needed amenity for our neighborhood.”
The resolution passed with a vote of 6-0.
#1E-2025-0401: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A DOG PARK AT BANNEKER
WHEREAS, District residents close to Banneker Park regularly walk their dogs around the southern field that includes a baseball diamond and track due to the closed fence and vast green space; and
WHEREAS, Neighbors and ANC 1E Commissioners have been working with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to begin the application process for installing a dog park at Banneker Park; and
WHEREAS, The proposed Banneker dog park would be located on the southeast edge of the field (see image in Appendix A) and consist of roughly 6,100 sq feet, which meets DPR’s 5,000 square feet minimum (sec 733.1); and
WHEREAS, Many dog owners already use the under-utilized land that would become the dog park to walk and play with their dogs (sec 733.4); and
WHEREAS, The community request is to keep all the grass and trees currently on the site; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) conducted a survey of the proposed Banneker dog park location and deemed it suitable; and
WHEREAS, DPR reviewed the proposed Banneker dog park location and deemed it suitable; and
WHEREAS, The DPR Dog Park Application Review Committee (DPARC) reviewed the proposed Banneker dog park location and deemed it suitable (see 625 T Street Determination Letter in Appendix B); therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, ANC 1E supports the community’s request for a dog park at Banneker Park, as outlined in Appendix A; further
BE IT RESOLVED, ANC 1E encourages the DPR Director to review and approve the application immediately after the 30-day comment period in the DC Register since DPR, DOEE, and DPARC have already reviewed and endorsed the Banneker dog park location; further
BE IT RESOLVED, ANC 1E designates Commissioners Brian Footer and Josh Jacobson to represent the Commission in all matters relating to this Resolution. In the event the designated representative Commissioner cannot carry out their representative duties for any reason, ANC 1E authorizes the Chair to designate another Commissioner to represent the Commission in all matter relating to this Resolution.
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About ANC 1E:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E represents the neighborhoods of Pleasant Plains, Park View, and the Howard University area. Commissioners are elected to advise the District government on decisions that affect their neighborhoods, including public safety, transportation, planning, zoning, and city services. All ANC meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to participate in shaping the future of their community.
About Advisory Neighborhood Commissions:
ANCs are nonpartisan, locally elected bodies in Washington, D.C. that represent neighborhood interests to the District government. While ANCs do not have legislative power, they are given “great weight” on decisions before city agencies and the Council. Commissioners serve two-year terms and are elected by single-member districts within each ward.
ANC 1E 