The new Riggs-LaSalle community playground is now open in the 500 block of Nicholson Street NE. As noted in this post, this playground has been a long time coming. It really is a testament to working together as a community–former Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (LRCA) president Barbara Rogers championed a new playground during her tenure. When I became president of LRCA after her, I picked up the ball and ran with it, writing several letters to the DC Council and Mayor Bowser to secure funding and organizing parents to advocate for a playground. Mayor Bowser and former Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd came through with the funding during the latter half of my tenure as LRCA president. And finally, once the project kicked off, so many neighbors and the newly established Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec wrote numerous letters in support of the playground along with a number of suggestions for improvements. Kudos to the community for making this happen.
See message from the DC Department of Parks & Recreation Project Manager Peter Nohrden dated April 30, 2021, below:
Dear Riggs LaSalle Playground Community,
On behalf of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS), I am pleased to announce that the Riggs LaSalle Public Playground is now opened. The playground has passed the Playground Safety Inspection and is now ready for play. Please note that drinking fountains are still turned off due to COVID protocols, but we wanted to open the playground as soon as possible so that the community can enjoy it this weekend.
The renovations to the Riggs LaSalle Playground includes: a new 5-12 play area, a new 2-5 play area, swings, benches, a drinking fountain with a bottle filler, waste and recycling receptacles as well as new lighting and security cameras. There is also perimeter landscaping, which includes canopy trees that will one day provide great shade for the playground.
Enjoy!
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
So great to see the completion of the playground!! Many thanks to the neighbors who voiced their support through calls, community meetings, and in written comments and letters to DPR. I drove by a couple of times this weekend and the playground was full of children and parents which was great to see!!! I cannot wait to bring my little one! Many thanks to previous LRCA leadership and current ANC Commissioners for their commitment to all members of the community and moving this project forward. for the community to enjoy! That is true leadership.
Yesterday, I had to a chance to speak to a family. They are elated with the new playground and the community effort to achieve it. I’m also very pleased that many of the security suggestions made by the Friends of Riggs-LaSalle Rec were seamlessly incorporated into the design. Kudos to all involved, including DPR, over the years.