Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker is celebrating Ward 5 Day on September 22, 2024, at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center starting at noon. CM Parker’s office has a week of activities planned leading up to the big day.

Ward 5 Week pop-up events. 

• Monday, September 16
  • 10:30 a.m. – Street Designation Ceremony for William Spaulding Way in the 1900 block of Randolph St NE
• Tuesday, September 17
  • 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Rhode Island Ave Crawl at businesses in the 2000-2300 blocks of Rhode Island Ave NE
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Drink Specials at His and Hers (2214 Rhode Island Ave NE)
• Wednesday, September 18
  • 10:00 a.m. – Coffee with the Councilmember at Cool Coffee (3901 12th St NE)
• Thursday, September 19
  • 5:00 p.m. – Ward 5 Bike Ride starting in Union Market area at 350 Morse St NE
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Happy Hour at metrobar (640 Rhode Island Ave NE)
• Friday, September 20
  • 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. – The Spice Suite at Black and Forth (2201 Channing St NE)
    • First 25 customers, buy one spice get one spice free with code “Ward 5 Day”
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Happy Hour at DCity Smokehouse (203 Florida Ave NW)
• Sunday, September 22
  • 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Ward 5 Day!

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker has posted two job openings in his office.

Constituent Services Director

Legislative Director

From Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker

The Washington Nationals are hosting Ward 5 neighbors at Nationals Park on Thursday, September 12 at 6:45 pm in their game against the Miami Marlins. They’ve given Ward 5 residents a limited number of free tickets. Join Councilmember Parker for a fun night of baseball and community! Request tickets at ward5.us/natspark2024.

Yesterday, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sent his FY2025 budget request letter to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. The mayor is expected to send her budget proposal to the DC Council on March 20, 2024.

Councilmember Parker’s letter addresses schools, libraries, rec centers, and youth programs around the ward around the ward; public safety; supports for LGBTQIA+ residents, seniors, and tenants; road safety and trail networks; and ways to offset increased spending.

Specific items of interest to the Riggs Park neighborhood and nearby areas copied from letter:

Address deficiencies at Ward 5 DPR facilities. Maintenance and upkeep of Ward 5’s recreation centers are paramount. My office regularly fields complaints about the condition of Turkey Thicket Recreation and North Michigan Park Recreation Center, especially. I recommend that DGS expand its preventative maintenance campaign to DPR facilities and play spaces for children. Additionally, neighbors in Edgewood continue to express concern over the availability of the Edgewood Recreation Center for neighborhood youth. Routinely, citywide sports teams and groups monopolize recreation space that could otherwise provide Ward 5 youth positive recreational outlets. What’s more, I recommend you expand community-facing programming at Edgewood Recreation Center and New York Avenue Recreation Center. Finally, I recommend you use DPR’s Ready2Play Equity Framework to address funding needs at Ward 5 facilities, such as Bunker Hill Park, Dunbar Aquatic Center, Joe Cole Recreation Center, Keene Field, New York Avenue Recreation Center, and Noyes Park.

Expand and improve the efficacy of the District’s Safe Passage program. The number of juveniles who are at risk of committing or being victimized by crime requires us to expand coverage of the Safe Passage Program, a critical tool to prevent violence involving students as they travel to and from school. Currently, much of Ward 5 does not have coverage under the Safe Passage Program despite longstanding issues at chronic hotspots—including the Fort Totten Metro Station. Therefore, I recommend a gradual expansion of the Safe Passage program, targeting Ward 5, 7, and 8, by increasing funding by $1 million/year. I also recommend improving the value of this program through more frequent school leader convenings and data and information sharing at the school level. This is a key recommendation I expect will soon receive the formal endorsement of the School Safety Enhancement Committee that with the help of my council colleagues I established last budget cycle.

Expand bikeshare options near UDC’s Lamond-Riggs Campus. In 2021, DDOT announced that the agency planned to install a bikeshare station on the northwest corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. My understanding is that the agency has been having issues coming to an agreement with the property owner on that side of the street regarding placement of the station. With UDC’s plan to grow campus enrollment to 3,000 students with over 100 faculty, I stand ready to help get this station installed as soon as possible.

Design a trail connection between the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) at Fort Totten and the future Prince George’s County Connector. In 2023, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission secured funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a shared-use path between the Northwest Branch Trail of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in Chillum to Avondale Community Park, which borders Eastern Avenue in the District. To complement this project, DDOT should begin planning its own trail connection to the Metropolitan Branch Trail along Eastern Avenue and Gallatin Street N.E.

It’s oversight and budget season. Share your budget priorities with Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker.

Complete the Ward 5 Budget Survey.

Councilmember Parker’s office is also accepting emails and letters from residents, civic association, PTAs, and ANCs “highlighting concerns in more details.” Send those emails/letters to Conor Shaw at cshaw@dccouncil.gov by February 9, 2024.

If you prefer to share your priorities with Councilmember Parker’s office by phone, contact 202-724-8028.

If you want something for your neighborhood, now is the time to ask for it.

It’s oversight and budget season. Share your budget priorities with Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker.

Complete the Ward 5 Budget Survey by February 9. 2024.

Councilmember Parker’s office is also accepting emails and letters from residents, civic association, PTAs, and ANCs “highlighting concerns in more details.” Send those emails/letters to Conor Shaw at cshaw@dccouncil.gov by February 9, 2024.

If you prefer to share your priorities with Councilmember Parker’s office by phone, contact 202-724-8028.

As a reminder, Councilmember Parker will be holding a Ward 5 budget forum on February 3, 2024, at UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus. Register to attend the budget forum at ward5.us/budgetforum.

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker FY2025 Budget Forum
February 3, 2024
10:00 am-12:00 noon
UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus
5171 South Dakota Avenue NE

Register to attend at ward5.us/budgetforum. This is an opportunity to share your budget priorities with CM Parker’s office ahead of budget season.

Post updated 12/4/2023

Save the date for the annual Ward 5 Holiday Party!

Join Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker on December 14 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at City-State Brewing Co. (705 Edgewood St NE) for a night of food, music, dancing, and celebration together as a community. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy or coat for our toy and coat drive. Please RSVP here!

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker is giving out turkeys this holiday season to Ward 5 residents on November 20, 2023, in the Langston Golf Course parking lot (2600 Benning Road NE).

Limited supply. Reserve your turkey ahead of time at ward5.us/turkey2023.

CM Parker’s office will send out a message to confirm pick-up times after you register for your turkey. Bring a form of identification when you pick up your turkey on November 20.

For any questions or concerns, please call CM Parker’s office at 202-724-8028 or email ward5contact@dccouncil.gov.

From Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker

Join Councilmember Zachary Parker has he throws out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:05 p.m. You must be a Ward 5 resident to claim tickets. The online form to claim your tickets will open at 12:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, September 5.
Click here to claim starting at 12:00 p.m. today!

Voting extended!

Residents of Wards 4, 5, and 7 are invited to vote on the subject for a future commemorative work from now until Friday, September 1. The DC Office of Planning previously accepted nominations for commemorative works subjects and has now prepared information on each as well as a dedicated website for each ward to vote on. The selected subject will be the focus of artists and consultants hired by the Office of Planning to prepare a concept design of a work, with additional community feedback and updates informing the final design.

Read about the nominations and vote at https://publicinput.com/cwtap#4 by September 1, 2023.

Ward 4 Nominations

• DC Caribbean Carnival on Georgia Avenue – Long-standing celebration held on Georgia Avenue NW showcasing the traditions and culture of the Caribbean islands.

• Founding of DC Youth Orchestra – Organization providing access to musical training and the first youth orchestra to play at the Kennedy Center.

• Highway Revolts – Integrated coalition of activists who prevented the construction of a highway system through DC.

• Vanilla Beane – An influential milliner and small business owner who was inducted into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Hall of Fame.

• Neighbors Inc. – Actively fought against discriminatory real estate practices and promoted integrated communities in DC.

• Stephen Whatley – ANC Commissioner and veteran who fought for community participation in the redevelopment of Walter Reed.

• United Blacks Against Discrimination (U-BAD) – Organization that protested working conditions and racial inequality at Walter Reed.

Ward 5 Nominations

• Dr. Alexander Augusta – First African American medical professor and hospital leader in the US, highest-ranking African American officer in the Union Army, and civil rights activist.

• Charles L. Bryant and Robert E. Bryant – Founders of the oldest Black owned architecture firm in the US and mentors to young architects and engineers.

• Empower DC – Citywide non-profit focused on strengthening low-income Black communities.

• Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol – Recognition of enslaved people forced to construct the Capitol.

• Founding of Dance Place – Community institution providing access to movement arts regardless of means or background.

• Hurd v. Hodge – Landmark Supreme Court case that struck down racial covenants in DC.

• Integration of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association – First integrated community association in DC and influential force fighting highways and advocating for Metro.

• Lillian Huff – Community and Democratic political activist who served as the chair of the first Statehood Convention and was appointed to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.

• Mary Jane Patterson – First African American woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the US and a prominent DC educator.

• Shirley Horn – Grammy Award winning singer who performed at the White House, was honored by Congress, and named to the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.

• Sterling Allen Brown – Renowned poet considered an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance and DC’s first Poet Laureate.

Residents of Wards 4, 5, and 7 are invited to vote on the subject for a future commemorative work from now until Friday, August 25. The DC Office of Planning previously accepted nominations for commemorative works subjects and has now prepared information on each as well as a dedicated website for each ward to vote on. The selected subject will be the focus of artists and consultants hired by the Office of Planning to prepare a concept design of a work, with additional community feedback and updates informing the final design.

Read about the nominations and vote at https://publicinput.com/cwtap#4 by August 25, 2023.

Ward 4 Nominations

• DC Caribbean Carnival on Georgia Avenue – Long-standing celebration held on Georgia Avenue NW showcasing the traditions and culture of the Caribbean islands.

• Founding of DC Youth Orchestra – Organization providing access to musical training and the first youth orchestra to play at the Kennedy Center.

• Highway Revolts – Integrated coalition of activists who prevented the construction of a highway system through DC.

• Vanilla Beane – An influential milliner and small business owner who was inducted into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Hall of Fame.

• Neighbors Inc. – Actively fought against discriminatory real estate practices and promoted integrated communities in DC.

• Stephen Whatley – ANC Commissioner and veteran who fought for community participation in the redevelopment of Walter Reed.

• United Blacks Against Discrimination (U-BAD) – Organization that protested working conditions and racial inequality at Walter Reed.

Ward 5 Nominations

• Dr. Alexander Augusta – First African American medical professor and hospital leader in the US, highest-ranking African American officer in the Union Army, and civil rights activist.

• Charles L. Bryant and Robert E. Bryant – Founders of the oldest Black owned architecture firm in the US and mentors to young architects and engineers.

• Empower DC – Citywide non-profit focused on strengthening low-income Black communities.

• Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol – Recognition of enslaved people forced to construct the Capitol.

• Founding of Dance Place – Community institution providing access to movement arts regardless of means or background.

• Hurd v. Hodge – Landmark Supreme Court case that struck down racial covenants in DC.

• Integration of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association – First integrated community association in DC and influential force fighting highways and advocating for Metro.

• Lillian Huff – Community and Democratic political activist who served as the chair of the first Statehood Convention and was appointed to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.

• Mary Jane Patterson – First African American woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the US and a prominent DC educator.

• Shirley Horn – Grammy Award winning singer who performed at the White House, was honored by Congress, and named to the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.

• Sterling Allen Brown – Renowned poet considered an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance and DC’s first Poet Laureate.

Residents of Wards 4, 5, and 7 are invited to vote on the subject for a future commemorative work from now until Friday, August 25. The DC Office of Planning previously accepted nominations for commemorative works subjects and has now prepared information on each as well as a dedicated website for each ward to vote on. The selected subject will be the focus of artists and consultants hired by the Office of Planning to prepare a concept design of a work, with additional community feedback and updates informing the final design.

Read about the nominations and vote at https://publicinput.com/cwtap#4 by August 25, 2023.

Ward 4 Nominations

• DC Caribbean Carnival on Georgia Avenue – Long-standing celebration held on Georgia Avenue NW showcasing the traditions and culture of the Caribbean islands.

• Founding of DC Youth Orchestra – Organization providing access to musical training and the first youth orchestra to play at the Kennedy Center.

• Highway Revolts – Integrated coalition of activists who prevented the construction of a highway system through DC.

• Vanilla Beane – An influential milliner and small business owner who was inducted into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers Hall of Fame.

• Neighbors Inc. – Actively fought against discriminatory real estate practices and promoted integrated communities in DC.

• Stephen Whatley – ANC Commissioner and veteran who fought for community participation in the redevelopment of Walter Reed.

• United Blacks Against Discrimination (U-BAD) – Organization that protested working conditions and racial inequality at Walter Reed.

Ward 5 Nominations

• Dr. Alexander Augusta – First African American medical professor and hospital leader in the US, highest-ranking African American officer in the Union Army, and civil rights activist.

• Charles L. Bryant and Robert E. Bryant – Founders of the oldest Black owned architecture firm in the US and mentors to young architects and engineers.

• Empower DC – Citywide non-profit focused on strengthening low-income Black communities.

• Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol – Recognition of enslaved people forced to construct the Capitol.

• Founding of Dance Place – Community institution providing access to movement arts regardless of means or background.

• Hurd v. Hodge – Landmark Supreme Court case that struck down racial covenants in DC.

• Integration of Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association – First integrated community association in DC and influential force fighting highways and advocating for Metro.

• Lillian Huff – Community and Democratic political activist who served as the chair of the first Statehood Convention and was appointed to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services.

• Mary Jane Patterson – First African American woman to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the US and a prominent DC educator.

• Shirley Horn – Grammy Award winning singer who performed at the White House, was honored by Congress, and named to the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.

• Sterling Allen Brown – Renowned poet considered an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance and DC’s first Poet Laureate.

From Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker

Overview of Ward 5 Day (and Week!) Activities

• Sunday, August 20:
  • The Official Ward 5 Day Kickoff: The Funset @ DewDrop Inn, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
    • The very popular DJ Jahsonic will be spinning and my team will there to enjoy the evening with neighbors.
• Monday, August 21:
  • 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Business Roundtable with EDENS @ Bidwell Restaurant (invite only)
    • I’m convening a select group of Ward 5 business leaders to discuss their needs and how we can continue to drive economic development in the Ward.
  • 7:30 p.m. – The Lion King, Public Outdoor Movie Showing @ Union Market
    • Pull up to a table outside to enjoy a Disney classic. 
    • RSVP for people in cars at https://unionmarketdc.com/events/ward-5-community-drive-in.
• Tuesday, August 22:
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Drink Specials @ His and Hers
    • Enjoy select drink specials at this Ward 5 favorite.
• Wednesday, August 23:
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Drink & Meal Specials @ Brookland’s Finest
    • Enjoy select drink and meal specials at this Ward 5 favorite.
  • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Homeownership Seminar with HomeFree-USA @ Lillian J. Huff/Lamond-Riggs Library
    • Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the numerous resources available to neighbors to purchase a home in the District.
    • Join HomeFree-USA, District partners, and our team to learn more.
    • RSVP here!
• Thursday, August 24: 
  • 5:00 p.m. – Bike Ride, starting @ Alethia Tanner Park
    • Join neighbors for a bike ride through Ward 5. The ride will end at metrobar.
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Happy Hour @ metrobar
    • Enjoy happy hour at this Ward 5 favorite. 
• Friday, August 25:
  • 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. – The Spice Suite (at Black and Forth)
    • The first 25 customers with code “Ward 5 Day” will enjoy a buy-one-spice, get-one-spice free special.
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Happy Hour @ DCity Smokehouse
    • Enjoy happy hour at this Ward 5 favorite. 
• Saturday, August 26:
  • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Ward 5 Day @ Turkey Thicket
    • We’re taking over the entire Turkey Thicket campus and our annual Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway will happen at Brookland Middle (free quality backpack and school supplies).
    • Confirmed activities include:
      • Massages and a workout class by Bikram Yoga Works – Ivy City 
      • Line Dancing 
      • Softball game by Woodridge Warriors 
      • Moon bounces, honey-making stations, and face paint for the kids
      • DJ and live band 
      • Taste of Ward 5 featuring some of your favorite Ward 5 restaurants 
      • Voter registration 
      • Government and community vendors including DC Health, Medstar, DC Water, and more
    • And of course there will be food!
      • Enjoy food from the grill and Rita’s
      • Food samples from Ward 5 restaurants and more 
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Ward 5 Awards Ceremony @ Trinity Washington University
    • RSVP here!
      • Please be sure to RSVP. We look forward to celebrating with you on August 26.

Cast your vote to help select a person, place, idea, or event to be honored in DC. DC’s Office of Planning is providing design assistance to residents seeking to bring commemorative works to their communities in Wards 4, 5, and 7. Visit https://publicinput.com/cwtap#4 to read about the nominations and cast your vote by August 25, 2023.

Have ideas about an important person, place, or event in Ward 5 that should be the subject of a commemorative work (such as a plaza, sculpture, plaque) recognizing the significance/contribution of the individual or event to local history?

The DC Office of Planning has extended the deadline to submit nominations for the Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project to July 7, 2023.

Submit your nominations at https://www.publicinput.com/cwtap#4.

Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the lowest number of commemorative works in the city, so OP is working with partners like The Parks Main Street to assist with the process for identifying subjects and sites for commemorative works and the design process for works in those wards.

See Ward 5 Commemorative Works Project Meeting #1 Presentation

Some subject ideas mentioned in previous community meetings include the freeway fights in the 1960s, the family behind a Black-owned piano manufacturing company called Shadd Pianos, the architects and the inspiration behind the original Lamond-Riggs Library (brothers Charles & Robert Bryant and Lillian Huff), and the impact of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association.

Let your neighbors know about this project. Submit your nomination by July 7.