FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: COMMISSIONER BRAD HOWARD
ANC1E ENGAGEMENT SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1E is announcing recent findings from the D.C. Department of General Services (DGS) regarding lead contamination identified at the Park View Recreation Center playground at 693 Otis Place NW.
Routine environmental testing conducted in accordance with the Public Facilities Environmental Safety Amendment Act of 2020 revealed elevated lead levels in the northeast section of the playground. DGS has since confirmed that the source of the lead is not the playground equipment or surface itself, but rather neighboring construction sites and other off-site environmental factors.
Remediation efforts began immediately following the April 10, 2025, notification. The site was closed and cleaned using a Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) solution and HEPA vacuuming, with follow-up testing scheduled for the week of April 14. DGS has also tested the outdoor water fountain structure and confirmed no detectable lead in the fixture; water sampling is pending and results are expected later this month.
“This playground is a critical neighborhood resource, especially for young families. Parents have a right to know it’s safe,” said Commissioner Brad Howard (ANC 1E01). “We’re grateful that DGS moved quickly to contain the hazard and confirm the source, but this is a recurring problem, and if negligible property and business owners are too blame, then there must be real accountability. We’re going to have to look at broader community remediation efforts so no child is ever again expose to lead poisoning for simply playing outside.”
The full environmental assessment is available on the DGS website:
👉 https://dgs.dc.gov/node/1640431.
ANC 1E will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate for proactive safety measures across all public facilities within the Commission’s boundaries.
For additional questions, contact ANC 1E at 1e@anc.dc.gov or visit http://www.anc1e.org.
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About ANC 1E
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E represents the neighborhoods of Park View, Pleasant Plains, and Howard University in Ward 1 of Washington, D.C. ANC 1E is a nonpartisan, locally elected body that advises the District government on issues ranging from zoning and public safety to transportation and city services.
About Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) are the District of Columbia’s most grassroots level of government. While ANCs do not have legislative authority, they are empowered by law to review and advise on a wide range of decisions that affect their neighborhoods. Government agencies are required to give “great weight” to ANC recommendations.
ANC 1E 