(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty joined members of the LeDroit Park community today to begin demolition of the former Gage-Eckington school, which will be replaced with a 3-acre community park.

“We’ve worked hand-in-glove with the LeDroit Park community to get us where we are today,” said Mayor Fenty. “This is going to be a beautiful city park with great features for everyone one in the neighborhood.”

Located along V Street, between Fourth and Second streets, the new park will include a tot lot, playground, dog park, a multi-purpose athletic field, running trails and rain gardens. Common Good City Farm, a nonprofit community farming organization, will continue to manage the community garden, which is currently located on the site.

The District closed the former Gage-Eckington school in 2008 and immediately began working with neighbors on a reuse plan. For 10 weeks, the District, led by the Office of Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, regularly met with members of the LeDroit Park Civic Association, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B and residents of the Kelly Miller Apartments to discuss potential park designs.

The District selected District-based international architectural firm Lee + Papa & Associates to lead the design process. The District’s Department of Real Estate Services is managing the demolition and construction elements of the project.

The park is expected to be complete in June 2010.

Media Contacts

• Sean Madigan, (202) 615-2029

• Feras Sleiman, (202) 251-8829