CONTACT:
Doxie McCoy (EOM) 202.727.9691; [email protected]
Donna Henry (DDOE) 202.299.3338; [email protected]
WHAT/WHO: Mayor Vincent C. Gray joins Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and District Department of the Environment (DDOE) Director Keith A. Anderson to challenge residents in the Hickey Run community to adopt stormwater-friendly landscaping practices and compete for a “green block makeover.” The Neighborhood Challenge is a component of the Sustainable DC Plan and brings the improvements listed in the SDC Plan to local communities.
WHEN: Saturday, June 28, 2014 - 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Langdon Park (Intersection of Hamlin Place NE and Mills Ave NE)
BACKGROUND: Under the Neighborhood Challenge, the block that achieves the highest participation rate by September 30th will be eligible for a makeover that will include adding street trees, porous sidewalks, green roof rebates and green streets. Students from the nearby Langdon School will also display their painted rainbarrels, which will be available to residents.
The Hickey Run watershed is a highly polluted tributary to the Anacostia that is significantly impacted by uncontrolled stormwater flows. The RiverSmart Homes Program (ddoe.dc.gov/riversmarthomes) has been highly successful in helping to prevent polluted stormwater from entering the District’s waterways in other areas of the city. However, participation rates in the RiverSmart Homes program have been historically lower near Hickey Run. The Challenge’s goal is to raise the participation rate to 25 percent and help improve property values in Ward 5.
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