70 dogs—and one cat!—met Santa this year at our 7th annual Santa photo event. Our Board members worked overtime to make the event a success and we are grateful to the folks at Queen’s English, who were kind enough to host us again this year. This event is our big fundraiser and we appreciate everyone who participoated and donated our small, nonprofit organization. We wouldn’t exist without all of your support.
2024 Halloween Costume Contest
Dozens of dogs competed in this year’s Halloween Dog Costume Contest. Our judges, ANC Commissioner Anthony Thomas-Davis, and 11th & Bark Board Members Rohan Luktuke and Sheila Koohpai, picked the top three winners in four categories: Most Original, Cutest, Best Human and Dog Combo, and Scariest. Thanks to everyone who supported the event and competed in the contest. Although only three dogs received ribbons in each category, they are all winners to us! Check out all the winners and contestants here.
Dog Costume Swap & Pup Cups
Today, 11th & Bark partipated in DC Witchfest, a Halloween maker’s market and community party. At our table on 11th Street, we sponsored a dog costume swap and handed out pup cups. Many happy pups and their parents stopped by for a snack and to get in the Halloween spirit.
2024 Annual Meeting
Thanks to everyone who joined our 2024 Annual Meeting. We were lucky to have ANC Rep. Anthony Davis-Thomas join our meeting to give us information on the status of the park and DPR’s upcoming construction. John Henderson of Green Spaces of DC also joined us to give us a report on administrative matters related to the organization. And 11th & Bark board members reported on our activities over the last year including our clean-ups, events, financial status, and more.
DPR Meeting About Dog Park Construction
Last night the Department of Parks and Recreation held a community meeting at the park to give us an update on the upcoming renovation. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2025 with an expected end date of Fall 2025.
DPR reported that they will keep the existing fence, repairing as needed, and replacing the mesh to keep little dogs in. DPR does not have money in the budget for lighting, but said the community could consider solar lights if desired or asking the city to add a light to the street lamp posts. The surface will be primarily engineered wood fiber with a strip of astroturf along the 11th street side.
Sign up for our listserv to keep keep informed about the renovation.
The proposed park design. A portion is reserved by WMATA so that they can continue to access the metro.
Another Successful Cleanup
We braved the July heat for today’s summer park cleanup. Thanks to everyone for helping us clean up the park and the surrounding streets.
Columbia Heights Day
The 16th Annual Columbia Heights Day was held on June 15. The one-day festival is a celebration of the diversity and community of Columbia Heights. What started in 2006 as a small grassroots festival celebrating the diverse, fun, and quirky neighborhood of Columbia Heights has grown into an annual tradition, beloved and anticipated by the community. The festival features local food vendors and artists, live music, carnival entertainment, and more, welcoming over 10,000 visitors.
This year, 11th & Bark participated in Columbia Heights Day by handing out treats outside the dog park. Thanks to Board Members Sheila Koohpai and Rohan Luktuke and their pups for making volunteering for the job.
Dog Park Progess Update
The Columbia Heights Dog Park sits on property owned by WMATA, which allowed us to use the space for our dog park since 2009. In late-2023, after years of our advocacy, the District signed a 10-year lease with WMATA that will allow the park to become an official DC dog park and allow the District to upgrade the space.
The dog park application is now formally moving along, and in March the application was noticed in DC Register for public comment. 11th & Bark submitted a letter of support for the dog park.
In addition, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is now working with the Department of General Services (DGS) to identify and procure a contractor for this project. Once that happens, DPR will begin the formal community engagement process for the project.
2024 Earth Day Cleanup
Thanks to everyone who helped us clean up the park last Saturday. At the cleanup, we picked up trash in and around the park; filled holes throughout the park; swept up dirt and leaves in and around the park; and spread mulch around the existing trees. We also took down the shed, which was falling apart due to people trying to break into it. Stay tuned—soon we will have a new shed.
