Monday, October 17, 2016

New Superintendent Named for National Capital Parks-East

BIG NEWS, Courtesy of the Anacostia Trust:
"Tara Morrison will take over as Superintendent of National Capital Parks–East on December 7. She will be responsible for Anacostia Park, historic homes (Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune and Carter G. Woodson), the Fort Circle parks, and several other parks in DC and Maryland.
According to the release announcing her appointment, New Superintendent Named for Anacostia Park, Historic Homes and Capitol Hill Parks, Morrison will be joined by two new staff focused on Anacostia Park, a Project Executive for the Anacostia and a Senior Project Manager. The former will move forward Anacostia Park projects, partnerships, and initiatives. The latter will focus on cleaning five contaminated sites along the Anacostia River and will work closely with DC's Department of Energy and the Environment.
Superintendent Morrison brings to National Capital Parks East a reputation of working effectively with park partners noted Anacostia Waterfront Trust Executive Director Doug Siglin. “We look forward to working closely with her for many years to make the Anacostia Park truly a special place for all DC, but particularly for people who live east of the Anacostia River.”
Morrison joined the National Park Service in 1998. She is not new to DC. Since 2011, Morrison has been Superintendent of Rock Creek Park. Throughout her NPS career, Morrison has engaged with community in a variety of ways.  She has, for example, worked closely with the public during the creation of the African Burial Ground Visitor Center's first general management plan to ensure that the community was actively engaged in the process.
Morrison attended Northeastern University and received a B.S. in African American studies. She pursued graduate studies in anthropology at the University of South Carolina.
Morrison is taking the place of Gopaul Noojibail; Noojibail has moved to Wyoming to serve as Deputy Superintendent at Grand Teton National Park."

Saturday, October 8, 2016

October at Shepherd Parkway

Dear Friends,

Please join our next community Clean-Up on Saturday, October 15 from 11 am to 1 pm. 

We meet at the picnic tables near the corner or Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Avenues SE.

Gloves, bags, and water are provided. Volunteers should wear boots and clothes you won't mind getting dirty. Bring a water bottle.
 
October is my favorite month at Shepherd Parkway. The air is fresh; the mosquitoes are gone. It is cool but not cold. The trees are a riot greens, yellows, oranges and reds. 
 
I know you have many choices and demands on your Saturdays, but consider: these two hours will yield concrete benefits for you and your community:
  • Each and every person who attends makes a measurable difference. Every can, bottle, and bag picked-up brings us closer to our goal of healthy, beautiful park.
  • Research demonstrates that physical and mental health benefits of  physical activity in nature.  
If you find the time to join us, you will not regret it.

Peace and Blessings,

Nathan Harrington
Chair, Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway