In anticipation of outdoor activity at District public spaces, the Department of General Services (DGS) is conducting facility-checks at community gardens, playgrounds, pool houses, parks, and dog parks across the District. This seasonal transition also includes turning on water fountains and adjusting light sources to provide for safe, fun recreational and education environments during the summer months. DGS is responsible for maintaining 39 community gardens, 11 indoor pools, 12 outdoor pools, 27 spray parks, 55 parks, 12 dog parks, and more than 130 fields and playgrounds.
“We are entering one of the best times of the year in the District for residents to enjoy the public spaces available to them,” said Keith A. Anderson, Director of the Department of General Services. Our work at DGS starts on the front-end to make sure the summertime season opens safely and strongly.”
As part of its spring-summer readiness preparations, facilities teams verify the integrity of plumbing at pools and pool houses in preparation for the opening of the 2019 outdoor pool season. This process includes turning on water sources, painting pools, ensuring pumps are operational, and completing any necessary maintenance or repairs. Final pool inspections are scheduled for mid-May. With longer daytime hours now prevalent, DGS has scheduled non-automated lighting to be consistent with Daylight Saving Time, and with higher temperatures, water fountains at parks and dog parks will be made operational.
The seasonal preparation also kicks off the regular mowing season for District properties. In April, DGS began city-wide grass mowing at schools, recreation centers, municipal buildings and parks. Throughout the summer months, the frequency of mowing will coincide with forecast and rain accumulation.
DGS performs spring-summer readiness operations each year to reduce the likelihood of parks and other resources from being taken off-line for mid-season repairs. These operations also provide an opportunity for recreation center and pool staff to address maintenance issues from the previous season and provides for thorough inspections of parks and equipment before the heaviest season of use.
Additional information about the District’s Spring-Summer operations is available here.
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