Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
NCPC approves Shepherd Parkway parkland rehabilitation; NPS cites $11.8 million first phase
Summary
The commission approved final site plans for Shepherd Parkway Parkland Rehabilitation in Southeast D.C.; the National Park Service described the work as the first phase of an $11.8 million park-improvement program, while public commenters urged stronger pollinator plantings.
NCPC staff recommended approval of final site and landscape plans for Shepherd Parkway Parkland Rehabilitation at Malcolm X Avenue SE and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE. The National Park Service applicant presented a design that retains most of the existing tree canopy, adds play areas for ages 2–5 and 6–12, a flexible plaza and picnic areas, community garden boxes, and mid-block crossings to improve neighborhood access.
"The final design meets NCPC tree preservation policy and pollinator best practice guidance," staff said, adding that the proposed meadow seeding mix is 100% native and includes multiple milkweed varieties. Deputy Superintendent Mike Camiso described the proposal as "the first phase of an $11,800,000 park improvement project" focused on sites east of the Anacostia River and emphasized tree preservation and community-driven design.
Public commenter Bernard Byrne argued the plant palette and selected cultivars do not conform to NCPC's pollinator best-practices guidance and urged replacing certain cultivars with native parent species and a USDA-recommended seeding mix to better support monarchs and native pollinators. Staff and the applicant said the meadow mix includes native milkweeds and that some cultivars were chosen for size and maintenance considerations.
Vice Chair Hewlett moved approval of the final site plans; Commissioner Stidham seconded. Commissioners thanked the Park Service and project team for community engagement and design improvements. The motion carried with Commissioners Davis and Warren recorded as abstaining.
NCPC's approval includes direction to coordinate with District agencies on stormwater, access and programming during implementation, and staff noted the design will become effective consistent with NCPC's rules and any applicable federal procedures.
