Public Works

A Fresh Vision for 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park

Published on December 26, 2024March 26, 2025

Community Activities/Public Works/Uncategorized/Ward 7

9/11 Gateway Memorial Park in Penn Branch under rennovations

PBCA has been working hard to renovate and improve our 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park. The ultimate goal is to greatly improve usability, access, and sustainable plan for water and erosion. We also want to make this pocket park a destination that tells the story of our great Penn Branch neighborhood and memorializes those D.C. residents who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the September 11, 2001.

PHASE I: Infrastructure, Design Improvements

Installation of electrical power, energy efficient LED lighting for the main sign, and community-approved plans for the redesign of the main area to expand the common areas and restore all pathways (80% Hardscaping).

Also; to update and restore primary park signs and memorial plaques bearing the names of DC residents who lost their lives on 9/11.

PHASE II: Improved Gardening and Installation of Hardscaping (Memorial Pavers)

Leveling main area; Small Retaining Wall; Widen and restore all wood framing around steps and pathways

Our second phase efforts centered around making the pocket park a functioning town square or gathering space for the neighborhood. This includes wider walking paths and improving the grading of the severely sloped landscaping .

The expanding redesign/ landscaping will create a defined memorial garden area and the addition of a (3.5ft high) retaining wall that runs horizontally through the park, parallel with the 3100 Block of O Street ST SE) to level the primary surface area. All wood framing around walking paths and steps were replaced at the front entrance/ sign area (facing Penn Ave SE), and as well as other areas in the 9/11 Memorial Park in an effort to preserve the integrity of the landscape from erosion.

Resurfacing /Restoration of Pathways

Restoration of pathways and expanding the primary surface areas (80% Hardscaping/20% Memorial Garden), increasing the capacity for public gatherings and improving overall accessibility to the park from Carpenter Street and O Street SE entrances.

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

Published on April 15, 2023September 12, 2023

Community Activities/Events/Penn Branch News/Public Works/Ward 7

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

Published on January 8, 2023July 16, 2023

Penn Branch News/Public Works

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.

Published on November 8, 2021November 9, 2021

Gardening & Native Plants/Penn Branch News/Public Works/Saftey

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

Published on November 7, 2021November 9, 2021

In Memoriam/Public Works/Ward 7

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

PHASE I: Infrastructure, Design Improvements

PHASE II: Improved Gardening and Installation of Hardscaping (Memorial Pavers)

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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.

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