Dear Ward 8 Residents,

I am pleased to announce that we broke ground for the new Anacostia Recreation Center at Ketcham Elementary School. The recreation center is expected to open and begin community programming in Fall 2024.

Recreation is not just a building. It’s a sanctuary for our kids, seniors and our peers to feel safe.

Most of you have heard my rants over the years about the lack of recreation in Ward 8 and how vitally important they are to the community. 

Recreation centers are part of a holistic approach to addressing the public safety concerns in our community, and I am proud to see the hard work of our community and government partners that made this possible.

Anacostia Recreation Center is one of 5 new recreation centers we worked hard to get into the budget. This is the second that has started construction.

The new $15 million facility will be home to many resources, including: 

⁃ Full-size gymnasium and fitness center
⁃ Basketball court
⁃ Demonstration kitchen
⁃ Classrooms and multipurpose rooms
⁃ Free internet access
⁃ Playgrounds for children ages 2-12
⁃ Multi-use outdoor field
⁃ Walking paths
⁃ Promenade connecting 14th and 15th Streets SE

I look forward to bringing more recreation and programming to Ward 8.

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8 

PARK(ing) Day

PARK(ing) Day returns on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This annual event is an opportunity for District residents and businesses to display their creativity, building pop-up park in curbside parking spaces throughout the District. 

Initially started in San Francisco in 2005, PARK(ing) Day is an event in which residents, businesses, and community organizations re-think the use of public space by converting metered on-street parking spaces into temporary parks. 

2023 Locations

Nine groups are participating in PARK(ing) Day 2023 and are spread throughout wards 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. An interactive map and suggested bike route is located on Google Maps here.

Ward 8 Locations

Consumers who are having a problem with their utility services to act sooner rather than later. Don’t wait to apply for financial assistance. With a new fiscal year beginning October 1, consumers  receiving aid will need to reapply. Here’s the link.

If you are behind on your utility bills, or have a complaint against a utility company, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of the People’s Counsel at (202) 727-3071. We stand ready to advocate, educate, and protect! 

ADVISORY: The energy assistance centers located at 2100 Martin Luther King Avenue SE & 1207 Taylor Street NW are accepting limited in-person appointments. Applicants must have an appointment to come to the energy assistance centers. To schedule an in-person appointment, please call 311 (202-737-4404). Walk-ins will not be accepted. Applicants may also apply online at ECOS or by faxing their completed and signed application to 202-671-0802 if you live in Wards 1-6 or 202-673-6725 if you live in Wards 6,7 & 8.
 

Services for Income Eligible Residents

• Receive Help Paying Your Energy Bills (LIHEAP)
• Receive Discounts on Your Utility Bills (UDP)
• Receive Help Paying Your DC Water Bill (LIHWAP) or
  Discounts on Your DC Water Bill (CRIAC)
• Receive Assistance Replacing Your Partial Lead Service Line (LPRAP)
• Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• Reduce Your Electric Bill with Solar for All (SfA)
• Receive Assistance Reducing Lead Paint in Your Home (EERP)

The Council’s recess will conclude on September 15 and the first legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 19.

In the fall, the Council’s various committees and members will continue to hold hearings on various legislative measures, including a public safety bill to address violent crime, the proposed food services contract between the District of Columbia Public Schools and vendors, and resolutions confirming mayoral appointees and celebrating the service and achievements of individual residents. The Council’s committees will also begin preparing and sending questions to individual agencies to discuss during performance and budget oversight season, which begins in January and concludes in June of each year. The responses received from the agencies regarding their budget and performance over the current fiscal year will be used to inform the District’s budget, capital investments, and policy directives for the next several years and will be discussed in hearings held in the first six months of the new year.