Hearst Playground story in Current

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is going to be an amphitheater where the portables are now.

It is great that Hearst is getting an amphitheater. That will be great fun for the students. Who knew that DCPS has those as an option. That sure does highlight a vast range of amenities offered to schools. (And there is a bit of frustration in that comment. Happy for the students, but I wish the timetable for renovation of my ugly EOTP neighborhood school building from the 1970s doesn't keep getting pushed back. Whenever they do get around to renovating, we will have to push for an amphitheater on the vast space of land and see if that amenity can fit in the budget).

Hearst is getting an amphitheater (!) and Eaton, just down the road, is now pushed off for modernization until past 2020, with budget concerns cited. Eaton is now the only public school west of Rock Creek Park that is still unrenovated or about to undergo renovation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pool should go in the corner over by the tennis courts. They need to renovate/expand/modernize the Hearst Rec facility! That cottage is historic but it is too small and hazardous, cramped bathrooms & too small inside in winter for the 60 kids that use it for aftercare during the school year. They need to put the safety of the kids FIRST. The Rec kids go to Hearst but were not allowed to use the gym to exercise in winter because DCPS/Rec can't manage to cooperate in a timely manner.

The first priority of Hearst Park, like all other DC parks, should be to serve the needs of the immediately surrounding community. The Hearst Rec aftercare program doesn't really serve neighborhood kids, so it's unfair that heavily used local amenities like the tennis courts be sacrificed for an after care use that could easily be carried on at a different location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a separate DPR aftercare, not the school aftercare.

That's strange. Why would DPR be running a separate after-care, particularly in a substandard building?

That's what DPR does.

It's free. The regular aftercare is $300/month

It's for the Maryland kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But is a pool for 3 months worth losing the tennis courts and fields that our kids depend on year round?

Everyone seems to think they can have their cake and eat it too. There is physically no space for a large pool, changing facilities, facilities for pool equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, etc. And the fact that Cheh and DPR and DGS say it's going to happen despite there being no architectural plan is outrageous. Sure, they say it all coded like "there's no final decision, hint hint, wink wink." Absolute waste of money.

This is exactly what she said about the new homeless shelter on Idaho Ave. Cheh decides what she wants, and the views of the community be damned. She must really have a hard-on for the people who live on Idaho. First the shelter, then a pool that few neighborhood residents want if it means giving up existing facilities at Hearst Park. But Mary knows best what's good for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But is a pool for 3 months worth losing the tennis courts and fields that our kids depend on year round?

Everyone seems to think they can have their cake and eat it too. There is physically no space for a large pool, changing facilities, facilities for pool equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, etc. And the fact that Cheh and DPR and DGS say it's going to happen despite there being no architectural plan is outrageous. Sure, they say it all coded like "there's no final decision, hint hint, wink wink." Absolute waste of money.

This is exactly what she said about the new homeless shelter on Idaho Ave. Cheh decides what she wants, and the views of the community be damned. She must really have a hard-on for the people who live on Idaho. First the shelter, then a pool that few neighborhood residents want if it means giving up existing facilities at Hearst Park. But Mary knows best what's good for you.

It is funny to think that Cheh ran initially on a responsive government platform. Funny how power corrupts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pool should go in the corner over by the tennis courts. They need to renovate/expand/modernize the Hearst Rec facility! That cottage is historic but it is too small and hazardous, cramped bathrooms & too small inside in winter for the 60 kids that use it for aftercare during the school year. They need to put the safety of the kids FIRST. The Rec kids go to Hearst but were not allowed to use the gym to exercise in winter because DCPS/Rec can't manage to cooperate in a timely manner.

The first priority of Hearst Park, like all other DC parks, should be to serve the needs of the immediately surrounding community. The Hearst Rec aftercare program doesn't really serve neighborhood kids, so it's unfair that heavily used local amenities like the tennis courts be sacrificed for an after care use that could easily be carried on at a different location.

The DPR "Rec" aftercare should not be a priority for these long-term park decisions, given the small number of children and families impacted by that programming. The park is used by the entire school and surrounding community while very few have access to the "Rec" programming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is going to be an amphitheater where the portables are now.

It is great that Hearst is getting an amphitheater. That will be great fun for the students. Who knew that DCPS has those as an option. That sure does highlight a vast range of amenities offered to schools. (And there is a bit of frustration in that comment. Happy for the students, but I wish the timetable for renovation of my ugly EOTP neighborhood school building from the 1970s doesn't keep getting pushed back. Whenever they do get around to renovating, we will have to push for an amphitheater on the vast space of land and see if that amenity can fit in the budget).

Hearst is getting an amphitheater (!) and Eaton, just down the road, is now pushed off for modernization until past 2020, with budget concerns cited. Eaton is now the only public school west of Rock Creek Park that is still unrenovated or about to undergo renovation.

The amphitheater was included in the prior renovation budget, which the PTA and parents of Hearst worked diligently to advocate for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But is a pool for 3 months worth losing the tennis courts and fields that our kids depend on year round?

Everyone seems to think they can have their cake and eat it too. There is physically no space for a large pool, changing facilities, facilities for pool equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, etc. And the fact that Cheh and DPR and DGS say it's going to happen despite there being no architectural plan is outrageous. Sure, they say it all coded like "there's no final decision, hint hint, wink wink." Absolute waste of money.

This is exactly what she said about the new homeless shelter on Idaho Ave. Cheh decides what she wants, and the views of the community be damned. She must really have a hard-on for the people who live on Idaho. First the shelter, then a pool that few neighborhood residents want if it means giving up existing facilities at Hearst Park. But Mary knows best what's good for you.

Many people in the neighborhood DO want the pool. But this is a discussion for another forum really, has nothing to do with the school at all, the park adjacent just happens to have the same name as the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But is a pool for 3 months worth losing the tennis courts and fields that our kids depend on year round?

Everyone seems to think they can have their cake and eat it too. There is physically no space for a large pool, changing facilities, facilities for pool equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, etc. And the fact that Cheh and DPR and DGS say it's going to happen despite there being no architectural plan is outrageous. Sure, they say it all coded like "there's no final decision, hint hint, wink wink." Absolute waste of money.

This is exactly what she said about the new homeless shelter on Idaho Ave. Cheh decides what she wants, and the views of the community be damned. She must really have a hard-on for the people who live on Idaho. First the shelter, then a pool that few neighborhood residents want if it means giving up existing facilities at Hearst Park. But Mary knows best what's good for you.

Many people in the neighborhood DO want the pool. But this is a discussion for another forum really, has nothing to do with the school at all, the park adjacent just happens to have the same name as the school.

In theory, I'd like to have a pool. But I don't want to see one of NW's few full-sized playing fields carved up or the loss of the heavily-used tennis courts. If those are the tradeoff, Cheh needs to find another site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is going to be an amphitheater where the portables are now.

It is great that Hearst is getting an amphitheater. That will be great fun for the students. Who knew that DCPS has those as an option. That sure does highlight a vast range of amenities offered to schools. (And there is a bit of frustration in that comment. Happy for the students, but I wish the timetable for renovation of my ugly EOTP neighborhood school building from the 1970s doesn't keep getting pushed back. Whenever they do get around to renovating, we will have to push for an amphitheater on the vast space of land and see if that amenity can fit in the budget).

Hearst is getting an amphitheater (!) and Eaton, just down the road, is now pushed off for modernization until past 2020, with budget concerns cited. Eaton is now the only public school west of Rock Creek Park that is still unrenovated or about to undergo renovation.

The amphitheater was included in the prior renovation budget, which the PTA and parents of Hearst worked diligently to advocate for.

I suspect that Hearst will never see the amphitheater. The portables are supposed to be going this summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put the tennis courts on top of the changing room and mechanical room building. That will leave plenty of room for the precious oaks. Done!

Don't be snarky. With everyone worried about climate change and keeping the green tree canopy to cut energy usage in the city, tearing down some mature growth trees for a swimming pool used for just 90 days per year seems rather carbon-wasteful.

They should reconsider the 90-day time frame. In DC's climate, a heated outdoor pool can be used for lap swimming for several more months each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put the tennis courts on top of the changing room and mechanical room building. That will leave plenty of room for the precious oaks. Done!

Don't be snarky. With everyone worried about climate change and keeping the green tree canopy to cut energy usage in the city, tearing down some mature growth trees for a swimming pool used for just 90 days per year seems rather carbon-wasteful.

They should reconsider the 90-day time frame. In DC's climate, a heated outdoor pool can be used for lap swimming for several more months each year.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put the tennis courts on top of the changing room and mechanical room building. That will leave plenty of room for the precious oaks. Done!

Don't be snarky. With everyone worried about climate change and keeping the green tree canopy to cut energy usage in the city, tearing down some mature growth trees for a swimming pool used for just 90 days per year seems rather carbon-wasteful.

They should reconsider the 90-day time frame. In DC's climate, a heated outdoor pool can be used for lap swimming for several more months each year.

Remember these pools are being managed by the DC government -- this isn't Portland Oregon! And what is the normal operating season for DC DRP pools (when they are funded to open on time, that is)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put the tennis courts on top of the changing room and mechanical room building. That will leave plenty of room for the precious oaks. Done!

Don't be snarky. With everyone worried about climate change and keeping the green tree canopy to cut energy usage in the city, tearing down some mature growth trees for a swimming pool used for just 90 days per year seems rather carbon-wasteful.

They should reconsider the 90-day time frame. In DC's climate, a heated outdoor pool can be used for lap swimming for several more months each year.

Remember these pools are being managed by the DC government -- this isn't Portland Oregon! And what is the normal operating season for DC DRP pools (when they are funded to open on time, that is)?

Memorial Day to Labor Day.

[Anonymous]

There absolutely needs to be an outdoor pool in Ward 3, and the Hearst site is centrally located, easily accessible and walkable for thousands of families.

Put it in the corner by the blacktop of the tennis courts along with the changing area/bathrooms. This shouldn't be too hard and the few people who live right there ought not be able to trump the needs and wishes of the many.