November 4, 2022
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) opened registration for their winter programming. There are still spaces open in a range of activities and programs for people of all ages, and I encourage you to look at what is available.
We have made it a priority as a city to invest in our parks and recreation spaces. Earlier this week, we celebrated new playgrounds at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School. Tomorrow, we’ll be in Ward 5 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Arboretum Community Center. Throughout the Halloween weekend, kids and families celebrated the holiday safely at more than 30 events hosted by DPR. It is true that DPR is where the fun happens, and we want more families to take advantage of their fantastic programming.
We have basketball programs for all ages, cooking classes, dance and cheer teams, and so much more. DPR also still has openings for their winter break camps, which align with when students are on winter break.
Go to dprprograms.com to see all the programs we have available. And if you want to meet the teams that bring our rec centers to life, join us in Ward 5 tomorrow afternoon at the beautiful new Arboretum Community Center.
Sincerely,
 The Department of Public Works will begin collecting leaves on Monday, November 7. Here’s what you should know:
- Residents are asked to do their part and rake leaves for collection to the curb or into the tree box at the front of their residence—no paper bag required. Leaves in plastic bags will not be picked up by our leaf collection teams.
- View leaf collection dates and a map of locations HERE, and visit and download the MyDPW app to receive customized alerts.
- For missed leaf collections, residents can call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Season Collection” service request, but please wait until at least five days after the last day of the designated collection in your neighborhood.
Did you already see leaf collection crews in your neighborhood? That's because new hires were out training!
The rate at which leaves fall is based on cool, dry temperatures. As the weather becomes cooler, more leaves will fall. This year, changes to the leaf collection schedule will allow crews to collect when most leaves have fallen. Residents will still receive two leaf collection pickups. The first pass for leaf collection will occur when fallen leaf accumulation is lighter, for one week in each section. The second pass will be for two weeks in each section when fallen leaf accumulation is heavier.
Reminder: Starting this weekend, residents can take pumpkins to food waste drop-off sites to be composted. Find a drop-off site near you HERE.
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 On Saturday, November 5, come out for the final Open Streets event of the year along Wisconsin Avenue NW in Ward 3!
One mile of road will be closed to vehicles and public spaces will transform into pop-ups that offer activities for residents of all ages and abilities—including fitness and yoga classes, arts and crafts, live music, safety demonstrations, and more. Activations will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 1:00 p.m.
Learn more HERE.
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 This week, Mayor Bowser and Chief Contee highlighted strategies and resources that residents should use to reduce the risk of package theft during the holiday season. Last year, for the first time in several years, MPD recorded a slight decline in package thefts. To continue this trend, MPD is asking to residents to:
- Track packages and/or have packages delivered where and when someone is available to immediately receive them.
- Send packages to alternative pickup sites like Amazon lockers, UPS stores, or PO boxes.
- Work with neighbors to bring packages inside.
MPD also urges residents to report thefts immediately to MPD by calling 911 or filing an online police report at mpdc.dc.gov/service/file-police-report-online.
Residents are also encouraged to participate in the Private Security Camera System Incentive Program, which is administered by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants. Through the program, residents, businesses, non-profits, and religious institutions can get rebates or vouchers for the installation of private security camera systems on their property. Learn more HERE.
Additionally, MPD is encouraging residents to use designated Safe Exchange Zones if meeting up with people to complete transactions from online market platforms. These designated areas serve as a safe place for people to exchange goods or money in order to prevent pre-staged robberies. MPD also strongly encourages the public to be especially wary of meeting people who refuse to meet at a Safe Exchange Zone location.
MPD Safe Exchange Zone locations:
- First District Station: 101 M Street SW
- Second District Station: 3320 Idaho Avenue NW
- Third District Station: 1620 V Street NW
- Fourth District Station: 6001 Georgia Avenue NW
- Fifth District Station: 1805 Bladensburg Road NE
- Sixth District Station: 5002 Hayes Street NE
- Seventh District Station: 2455 Alabama Avenue SE
- Special Operations Division’s Harbor Patrol: 550 Water Street SW
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