Public Works

Penn Branch Expands Spring Community Clean Up Efforts to Include Penn Ave, Ft. Davis Drive

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Penn Branch neighbors came together on Saturday, April 8th, 2023 to help clean 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park and along the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor to Ft. Davis Drive before the entrance to Ft. Dupont Park. Several neighbors expressed concern to PBCA executive board members about the amount of trash that was visible from the street and from along the Circle-Park Hiking and Biking Trail that borders our neighborhood.

And they wanted to do something about it.

The DC Department of Public Works and the National Park Service (NPS) donated cleaning cleaning supplies, trash bags, bug spray, and grabbers. Then, our roughly 30 neighbors went to work on brisk spring morning. They were picking up trash and removing weeds. Others cut grass and help trim roses in our park.

Thanks to all who pitched-in. A few hours work did really made a difference!

#Springcleanup #SEDC #community #WearePennBranch #DC #Ftcircleparks

Penn Branch Community Association Receives $25,000 ‘Sustainable Communities’ Award from PEPCO and Sustainable Maryland

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From Left: Donna Cooper (PEPCO Regional President) and PBCA Public Works Chair Alberta Paul and President Stan Benton Receive 25K Award-
From the left: PEPCO Regional President Donna Cooper presents Sustainable Communities award to Penn Branch Public Works Chair Alberta Paul and former President Stan Benton.

DECEMBER 9, 2022

Penn Branch Community Association was awarded $25,000 to make improvements to 9/11 Memorial Park by Pepco and Sustainable Maryland. This funding is made available through Pepco’s Sustainable Communities Grant program, which provides funding to support open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, environmental conservation, and innovative community resiliency projects.

Our community association was one of 11 local municipalities, recreational authorities, and nonprofits that were chosen to receive $125,000 in funds from Pepco and Sustainable Maryland to support open space and resiliency projects across the District of Columbia and Maryland.

“These are important and impactful projects that will have sustainable impacts on our communities.  We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to support such projects,” said Donna Cooper, Pepco region president. “We are committed to helping our customers and communities achieve our collective climate goals, equitably and inclusively. These grants are one of the many ways we are working to foster a cleaner and safer environment for all.”

Pepco launched the Sustainable Communities Grant program in 2020.

DC ban on gas leaf blowers goes into effect January 2022.

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Gas is Out, Quiet is In

–Effective January 2022, gasoline-powered leaf blowers cannot be legally used in the District of Columbia by residents or businesses and District retailers will no longer be permitted to sell them. Businesses risk being fined for continued use. The Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act passed the DC Council unanimously and was enacted in 2018, at which time a three-year phase-out began.

The ban does not apply to federal workers on federal land. Countless studies have shown the pollution causing and health impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers. Unlike automobiles, two-stroke, gas-powered leaf blowers do not have catalytic converters; therefore, a large percentage of pollutants go into the atmosphere. This law will help keep our community and city quieter and healthier.    

Leaf Collection Schedule

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The DC Department of Public Works has announced its leaf season collection schedule for 2021-2022.

The estimated pick-up periods for the Penn Branch neighborhood are November 29 to December 4 (first pick up) and January 10 to January 15 (second pick up). Residents are asked to rake leaves into the nearest tree box the Sunday­ before the scheduled pick up. Leaves should not be raked into the street or into city or federal parkland. You can find more information on the DC leaf season pick up schedule at the following link: https://dpw.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dpw/service_content/attachments/2021-2022%20Leaf%20Brochure.pdf

Power in Penn Branch Park

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This week we received official notice that PEPCO will soon install two electrical outlets in our very own 9-11 Memorial Park. This has been a 12-year effort led by Alberta Paul and others. Having electric will make our gateway community park a well-lit, more inviting gathering place.  Also, we are asking everyone to donate an hour of time between 9am and 12pm, on Saturday, May 15th to help clean the park and plant new shrubs donated to us from the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS). Remember to bring your tools and extra lawn and leaf bags!

Also, we offer special thanks to our community donors.  Penn Branch residents contributed over $500 to support the restoration and replacement of the bench in 9-11 Memorial Park. We wish to thank the following residents for their kind financial donations to help us replace the bench in 9-11 Memorial Park:

  • Mary Ann Smith
  • Alberta Paul
  • Leroy Owens
  • Donald & Barbara Harrison
  • Joan McKenzie
  • Marie Fritz
  • Tracey Grant
  • Rosemary Crockett
  • Dawn Moore
  • Maria Samuda

Can’t join us on Saturday, May 15th? Make a donation!

Mail your donation to:

PBCA

P.O. Box 6730

Washington, DC  20020-2325

Or Visit:

www.pennbranchdc.org/donate