Appletree CH Playground- Is anyone else as outraged as I am?
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Anonymous
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D.C. neighbors oppose preschool playground
A preschool playground has become the subject of a heated dispute among neighbors in a condominium development in the District. Some residents that share a building with AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School in Columbia Heights want to dismantle the school’s playground, which they say is located in common space, and replace it with something quieter and more appealing to the adults that live there.... The school responded to the resolution with an attorney’s letter, and McCarthy said a tear down could lead to litigation. The resolution followed years of complaints from residents and months of conversations between the condo board and school officials, Abadian said. He said he’s asked whether the school could limit time on the playground or create “a silent study area” for the children in place of the playground. Residents have suggested that the school use a larger playground located a block away next to community recreation center. |
Anonymous
| So it's not actually a "preschool playground" but is instead a piece of DPR-owned land, managed for use by all the residents of DC? |
Anonymous
It is not DPR owned. It is a small spot that is behind the school between two buildings. |
Anonymous
| I don't know, the neighbors have rights the space as well. I think it's on the charter school for picking a space without a playground. But I know it is tough for them to find spaces, so I guess they saw it as a tradeoff. |
Anonymous
| AppleTree Lincoln Park had the same problem with unreasonable neighbors. They can't even use THEIR OWN back yard for the kids to play in and have to walk to Lincoln park instead. |
Anonymous
There is a much longer history to the LP location. |
Anonymous
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OP--I am outraged as well. DD attended Apple Tree, and we loved it there.
I lived in Adams Morgan when I was in my early twenties next to a daycare center. It was noisy with kids playing, and it was fine. I never would have thought about complaining. People who are saying they have to go in the bathroom to make a phone call are absurd. |
Anonymous
| Condo needs new windows. |
Anonymous
Exactly --people who bought knew the playground was there. Removal of a playground is not a solution for poor construction |
Anonymous
Bingo. They moved to the nuisance. Kids need an outdoor play space. |
Anonymous
| Wait, the playground is on the condo land? Well that settles it. Apple Tree is simply a renter and the landlord has the right to make a decision. |
Anonymous
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Who owns the property where the playground is?
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Anonymous
| Love the neighbors suggestion that the preschoolers instead use the outside space as a silent study area... |
Anonymous
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Condo- gave Appletree the lease when the market was not so good, many years ago. Now the market is great and they want to increase prices so this is a problem.
There is a huge need for pk programs in that area. That location is not viable without the playground. Frankly, I think the city should just eminent domain the playground for the public good. What killed me was that the condo association found it even viable that 3 and 4 year olds could do "silent study." |