The next meeting of the NCHCA will be held at Bloombars (on 11th Street) on Wednesday, May 4th from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.  All are welcome to attend.  We will have two guest speakers: . . . → Read More: May 4th Meeting Schedule]]> Reminder, meeting this Wednesday night, neighborhood clean-up and community brunch this Saturday!  Details below …

The next meeting of the NCHCA will be held at Bloombars (on 11th Street) on Wednesday, May 4th from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.  All are welcome to attend.  We will have two guest speakers: [UPDATE: MR. SISCO CAN NO LONGER ATTEND.  I WILL PASS ALONG AN UPDATE FROM HIM, AND WE WILL USE THE EXTRA TIME FOR AN OPEN DISCUSSION OF OUR AGENDA FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR].  Brent Sisco, landscape architect from DPR, will inform the community and answer questions about the forthcoming construction (scheduled to begin next month) at the 11th and Monroe park, and Jackie Greenbaum will discuss her forthcoming restaurant on 11th Street (next to Arthur’s).

Don’t forget, also, the neighborhood clean-up from 9:30 to 10:30 on Saturday, May 7th, followed by a discounted brunch at Meridian Pint.

If you have suggestions / requests for speakers or topics at future meetings, or community events you would like to help organize, feel free to comment here or to contact us directly.

The community’s long dream of the North Columbia Heights Green is coming true.  Stage Two sitework is now complete, and we are now at last doing the fun part of planting and furnishing the Green!  Here’s what’s been done:

• Nearly all the . . . → Read More: Green Update]]> August 28, 2010
Dear Green Partners,

The community’s long dream of the North Columbia Heights Green is coming true.  Stage Two sitework is now complete, and we are now at last doing the fun part of planting and furnishing the Green!  Here’s what’s been done:

• Nearly all the rubble (many truckloads) has been excavated and removed.
• The stormwater engineering, grading, fence, gate, kiosk, bollards, and parking are all
complete.
• Most of the butterfly garden is in.
• The raised bed garden frames are constructed and installed.
• The first layer of topsoil is down.

Here are the next steps:
1. Spread the rest of the topsoil and mulch.
2. Add organic compost to the planting beds.
3. Install rain barrels.
4. Construct the pavilion and greenhouse.
5. Install and paint the storage space.
6. Set up the compost area.
7. Plant the Rain Garden.
8. Plant the Berry Patch.
9. Plant the Grape Arbor.
10. Plant the trees (including fruit trees such as serviceberry).
11. Add children’s art, play, and discovery features.
12. Install solar lighting.

The next Work Day at the Green will take place in conjunction with Columbia Heights Clean-Up Day next Saturday, September 4, from 9-1. At 12 Noon, we will have a ceremony to celebrate the beginning of planting the garden plots.  Next month, we will begin using the Green as a base of green job training.  We are planning a full range of programs and planting for the Fall.  Winter crops will include hardy
greens for salads and cooking, herbs, garlic, turnips, radishes, and sweet potatoes.  We are now signing up gardeners and other partners. If you know of youth, school, or community groups wanting to do programs at the Green, or if you know of people, groups, or businesses who would like to plant Fall and Winter crops in the Green, please let us know.  Thanks for all that you have done through the years to make this happen.

Happy gardening and greening!

Steve Coleman
Washington Parks & People