News
11th & Bark took part in the greater community Halloween celebration this year to help the community celebrate Halloween in a safe, socially distanced way. We set up a table on the sidewalk outside the dog park from 4pm to 7pm and handed out treats to the kids and the dogs. Thanks to every one who stopped by.
This year, our Halloween costume contest went virtual. Dog owners entered photos of their dogs in costume via Instagram and email, and competed in four categories: Scariest, Most Original, Best Human/Dog Combo, and Community Favorite. Members of the 11th & Bark Board voted on the first three categories, while Community Favorite was chosen by the through “likes” on our Facebook page. Find the list of winners here.
11th & Bark usually holds a cleanup every quarter. Because of social distancing requirements, we haven’t been able to have them, but our Board Members have been showing up to do it as a small group. On Saturday, October 3, we made a new bench, added new fencing to keep the small dogs and tennis balls in the park, added mulch to the tree boxes, and cleaned up trash and dog poop. Thanks to those who were at the park and offered to chip in!
We have good news: The District is now set to lease the dog park land from WMATA. Once we get more information on the lease and when it will begin, we will let you know. Although the District's orginal plan was to purchase the property, it turns out there are federal covenants on the land that prohibited the sale.
After a yearslong effort and all of your hard work and support, we think we are finally nearing the point where there will be a long-term plan for the park, and we can begin fundraising for renovations and upgrades we have long sought.
In preparation for fundraising for park renovations, we would like to add a new member to our board with fundraising experience. If you are interested, please email us at 11thandbark@gmail.com.
We also will form a fundraising committee, made up of board members as well as other volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering your time for that committee, please let us know. Thank you for your help! We hope that we will get the go-ahead to start fundraising by early 2021.
The Mayor has reopened all District parks, including our dog parks.
Please adhere to social distance rules. Stay safe. Protect others. Be kind.
The Mayor has temporarily ordered all dog parks closed temporarily to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We are not an official District dog park, but we urged people who use the park to abide by the Mayor’s order. Let’s stay safe!
11th and Bark joined the North Columbia Heights Civic Association and other organizations to sponsor this year’s Halloween Dog Costume Contest at the dog park.
Dogs competed for 1st and 2nd place ribbons in four categories: Scariest, Most Original, Best Human/Dog Combo and Cutest Costume.
Thank so much to everyone who competed and those who came to watch the show. A special thanks to our judges: ANC Commissioner Micheal Wray, Carolina Buitrago of District Bridges, and Cecilie Lindsay of 11th and Bark. And, to our MC, Baird Wallace.
We also appreciate the support from the Queen’s English, which sponsored drinks on their porch and donated 10% of the proceeds from each drink to the park.
In May, WMATA wrote to the District to announce it was ending the auction to sell the park and would instead negotiate with the District. The letter specified that WMATA expected to close on the sale of the property possibly by the end of August, and no later than December 31, 2019. September is here and we have no news on the purchase, other than hearing it is moving along. Today, therefore, the 11th and Bark Board sent a letter to the Mayor inquiring about any progress in the sale. We will let you know if we find out any additional information.
