5th Annual Dog Photos with Santa (2022 Edition)

Has your furry friend been naughty or nice this year? Time to find out. On Sunday, December 4th from 1pm – 4pm, Santa will be stopping by once again to meet the neighborhood dogs and take a photo with them. Since we all enjoyed Columbia Heights Green (the community garden space across the street from the dog park) so much last year, they agreed to host us there once again.

Sign up here!

Find the gallery of photos from last year here.

How to Sign Up

Like in past years, we have set up a sign-up site so you can reserve a time slot for your furry friend: Dog Photos with Santa Sign-up. We highly recommend to sign-up for a spot ahead of time because registration fills up very quickly. One sign-up per person/furry friend only please so everybody can enjoy.  Thank you!

If all spots are taken, please come by anyway. We will accept walk-ups, time permitting. In past years, we have been able to take most—if not all—walk ins.

What To Do When You Arrive:

Please check in when you arrive. You will receive a number so we can link your photo with your registration and contact information and then we can e-mail you your photos after the event.

Suggested Donation to the Park

A $10 tax-deductible donation to 11th & Bark for dog park maintenance is suggested. Contactless donations ahead of time are very much preferred and appreciated. Contactless donations will also be available on site. PayPal is the most cost efficient for 11th and Bark because no fees are levied by them. You can find the link here.  Please reference "Santa Photos with Dogs" in the "Add special instructions to the seller" space before you click "donate" so we have that for reference.

donations for the Washington Humane Rescue Alliance.

We will again accept in-kind donation for the WHRA. They accept toys, treats, martingale collars with buckles and rope leashes (See also their Amazon “Dog Supplies” list for more ideas or if you want to purchase items through Amazon and have shipped to them directly). They are also accepting unexpired dry dog/cat food in unopened bags of any size and unopened, unexpired canned dog/cat food for Alliance's Pet Pantry Program. The Pet Pantry program was created to support DC residents in caring for their pets by providing free pet food to those who indicate need. The food distributed is intended to supplement the pet's monthly food needs and to reduce the financial burden associated with pet care. Please note that the HRA does NOT accept: clothing (human or animal), fitted sheets, pillows, down comforters, newspaper, stuffer or memory foam dog beds or pillows, retractable leashes or prescription pet food.

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The 2022 Annual Meeting Is in the Books

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Tonight, more than 20 members of the community joined our annual meeting.

David Meni of Council Member Brianne Nadeau’s office reported on the District’s negotiations with WMATA to lease the property. In short, the Department of General Services (DGS) has completed its negotiations with WMATA on the lease of the property. But before the lease can be finalized, a land survey must still be completed. DGS reports that it will be ready to move forward with planning for construction once the lease and survey are completed. Money remains in the District’s budget for construction.

ANC1-A ANC Rep. Brandolon Barnett also spoke, as did John Henderson of Green Spaces DC.

Members of the 11th & Bark Board then reported on what we accomplished over the last year, including our community cleanups and events. And, the Board spoke to our finances, how to get involved, and dog park etiquette.

Thanks so everyone who joined the meeting and who is active in making 11th & Bark successful.

Halloween 2022

We refused to let the rain scare us away this year. Thanks to Sakuna Courtney of Queen’s English and Hailey Duncan and Lori Robertson of the 11th & Bark Board for being the judges for our in-person contest. Thanks also to Ward 1 Council Member Brianne Nadeau for stopping and greeting us all. And, thanks to Delaney Moro for being our photographer.

Categories:

  • Best Human & Dog Combo

  • Scariest Dog Costume

  • Cutest Dog Costume

  • Most Original Dog Costume

  • Online Community Favorite.

Find all of the contestants and winners here.

The Annual Halloween Dog Park Dog Costume Show is Back in Person and Virtual!  

It’s that time of year again for the Annual Halloween Dog Costume Contest. This longstanding community tradition will take place at the park for the usual fun and games and we are continuing with a virtual vote for a “Community Favorite.” Feel free to participate in one or both events. You can enter the same costume in both events or dress your dogs in different ones.  As always, we are partnering with YaVonne Boyd from Community Wellness Alliance to bring this event for all in the community to enjoy. More details below. 

In Person Dog Costume Contest in the Dog Park 

Our panel of judges from the community is ready to choose the best dog costumes in the neighborhood. 

  • Date & Time: Monday, October 31st, 6:30pm – 7:30pm (ish)

  • Location: At the dog park at 11th and Park Road

  • Categories: Best Human & Dog Combo; Scariest Dog Costume; Cutest Dog Costume and Most Original Dog Costume – Each dog can participate in up to 2 categories

  • Prizes: 1st and 2nd place receive a ribbon they can show off at the park and on the streets around the park

  • Sign-up: You can sign-up your pup ahead of time here - https://bit.ly/3TlZvzS - by midnight on October 30th or in person at the park the day of between 6pm and 6:30pm

Note: Feel free to bring your non-costumed dog to the event. During the event all dogs – costumed or not - have to be leashed to prevent any dogs from escaping as gates will be constantly opening and closing. 

Virtual Voting on a “Community Favorite” Halloween Dog Costume.

The virtual dog costume contests the past two years were a big success, so we want to continue it and give everybody the opportunity to vote for their “Community Favorite”. The winner will be announced at the event at the dog park and published on dog park social media.

Submission & Deadlines: You can submit photos of your dog in a Halloween costume via the channels below, from Saturday, October 22nd  to Saturday, October 29th at 6pm. 

  • Twitter: @11thandBark – Tag us in a tweet or DM us 

  • Instagram: @11thandBarkDC – Tag us in a post or DM us

  • E-mail: 11thandBark@gmail.com – Send us a photo 

Voting & Deadlines: We will post all entries on the Columbia Heights Dog Park page on Facebook and you will be able to vote for your favorite with a simple “like” on Sunday, October 30th 8am to 8pm. The entry with the most “likes” will be the “Community Favorite” and the one with the second most “likes” will be the runner up. 

Note: You have to be a “member” of the Columbia Heights FB group to be able to access the page and vote. If you are not currently a member please request access ahead of time to be able to vote. 


Prizes: 1st and 2nd place receive a ribbon and their photos will be published on dog park social media.

Check out our prior contestants and winners here.

Mardi Paws!

Thanks to YaVonne Boyd and the Community Wellness Alliance for putting together another fun Mardi Paws event at the park. We handed out beads, treats, and dog toys and we held a costume constest. Betty won for the most festive; Patty for cutest; and Susie Q for most creative.

New Board Members

We are excited to announce that the 11th & Bark board recently voted to add three new members. Hailey Duncan, and Fio Briceño joined our Board as new members. Taylor Popielarz also joined the Board and agreed to serve as Secretary–a post previously held by long time Board Member, Eva Guenther. Baird Wallace left the Board, as he moved to a different DC neighborhood and welcomed his new daughter to the world.

Say hi to Hailey, Fio, and Taylor if you see them at the park. To read more about them and our other board members, check out our Who We Are page.

Hailey & Luca

Taylor & Bonnie

Fio & Duke