DPR Meeting About Dog Park Construction

Last night the Department of Parks and Recreation held a community meeting at the park to give us an update on the upcoming renovation. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2025 with an expected end date of Fall 2025.

DPR reported that they will keep the existing fence, repairing as needed, and replacing the mesh to keep little dogs in. DPR does not have money in the budget for lighting, but said the community could consider solar lights if desired or asking the city to add a light to the street lamp posts. The surface will be primarily engineered wood fiber with a strip of astroturf along the 11th street side.

Sign up for our listserv to keep keep informed about the renovation.

The proposed park design. A portion is reserved by WMATA so that they can continue to access the metro.

Another Successful Cleanup

We braved the July heat for today’s summer park cleanup. Thanks to everyone for helping us clean up the park and the surrounding streets.

Columbia Heights Day

The 16th Annual Columbia Heights Day was held on June 15. The one-day festival is a celebration of the diversity and community of Columbia Heights. What started in 2006 as a small grassroots festival celebrating the diverse, fun, and quirky neighborhood of Columbia Heights has grown into an annual tradition, beloved and anticipated by the community. The festival features local food vendors and artists, live music, carnival entertainment, and more, welcoming over 10,000 visitors.

This year, 11th & Bark participated in Columbia Heights Day by handing out treats outside the dog park. Thanks to Board Members Sheila Koohpai and Rohan Luktuke and their pups for making volunteering for the job.

Dog Park Progess Update

The Columbia Heights Dog Park sits on property owned by WMATA, which allowed us to use the space for our dog park since 2009.  In late-2023, after years of our advocacy, the District signed a 10-year lease with WMATA that will allow the park to become an official DC dog park and allow the District to upgrade the space.

The dog park application is now formally moving along, and in March the application was noticed in DC Register for public comment. 11th & Bark submitted a letter of support for the dog park.

In addition, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is now working with the Department of General Services (DGS) to identify and procure a contractor for this project.  Once that happens, DPR will begin the formal community engagement process for the project. 

2024 Earth Day Cleanup

Thanks to everyone who helped us clean up the park last Saturday. At the cleanup, we picked up trash in and around the park; filled holes throughout the park; swept up dirt and leaves in and around the park; and spread mulch around the existing trees. We also took down the shed, which was falling apart due to people trying to break into it. Stay tuned—soon we will have a new shed.

70 Dogs Stopped By Queen’s English to Meet Santa

Queen’s English hosted us for our sixth annual Dogs Meet Santa photo event. In one of our most fun events of the year, more than 70 dogs met and had their pictures taken with Santa. We also collected donations for the Humane Rescue Alliance.

You can see all of the Santa photos here.

6th Annual Santa Photos Event

Every 11th & Bark dog is a good dog. That is why Santa is stopping by to take photos with our dogs on Sunday, December 3rd from 12pm – 3pm. This year, he’ll be joining us at a great new location—the Queen’s English patio.

HOW TO SIGN UP:

Please sign-up for one slot per person/dog so that we can ensure space for others too.

We recommend that you sign-up for a spot ahead of time, but if all the spots are taken, you should stop by anyway. We will accept walk-ups, time permitting. In past years, we have been able to take most—if not all—walk ins.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE:

Please check in when you arrive. You will receive a number so we can link your photo with your registration and contact information. We will e-mail you your photos after the event.

SUGGESTED DONATION TO THE PARK

A $10 tax-deductible donation to 11th & Bark for dog park maintenance is suggested. Contactless donations via Venmo ahead of time are very much preferred and appreciated. Please reference "Santa Photos with Dogs" so we can keep track of the donations. You can also donate at the event via cash or Venmo.

DONATIONS FOR THE WASHINGTON HUMANE RESCUE ALLIANCE.

We will again accept in-kind donation for the WHRA. They currently accept ”donations of machine washable towels and blankets in good condition; unopened, nonprescription food and treats; new or gently used dog and cat toys; medium, large, extra-large foldable wire crates with pans; cat litter; puppy pads; and many other quality goods.” They do not accept “clothing (human or animal), fitted sheets, pillows, down comforters, newspaper, stuffed or memory foam dog beds or pillows, retractable leashes, prescription pet food.” See also their Amazon “Dog Supplies” list for more ideas or if you want to purchase items through Amazon and have shipped to them directly).

You can also donate unexpired dry dog/cat food in unopened bags of any size and unopened, unexpired canned dog/cat food for Alliance's Pet Pantry Program. The Pet Pantry program was created to support DC residents in caring for their pets by providing free pet food to those who indicate need. The food distributed is intended to supplement the pet's monthly food needs and to reduce the financial burden associated with pet care.

Halloween Dog Costume Contest 2023

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Halloween Dog Costume Contest. We had another great showing and, as usual, some of the most adorable participants. A special thanks to our judges Anthony Thomas, Davis, our ANC Commissioner, Iris Ho, Manager of Odd Provisions, and Eva Guenther, 11th and Bark Board Member. And a special thanks to Odd Provisions, for providing goodie bags for the winners.

You can find photos of the participants, including the winners here.

11th & Bark 2022 Annual Meeting

11th & Bark held its 2023 annual meeting on Tuesday, September 19. We were pleased that Council Member Brianne Nadeau and ANC Member Anthony Thomas-Davis joined us to make an exciting announcement—the District’s Department of General Services (DGS) signed the lease with WMATA to take control over the park. The next step in the process is for WMATA to sign the lease. And then, DGS will begin determining what must be done to renovate the park.

At the meeting, we also discussed our prior and upcoming cleanups and other events, shared aour financial report, reminded people about park etiquette, and how to get involved with the park.

You can see the powerpoint slides from the meeting here.