DGS is ensuring District schools, parks, greenspaces, community gardens, playgrounds, and more are ready for warmer weather.

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the DC Department of General Services (DGS) announced the kickoff of its annual Spring-Summer Readiness operations. Over the next several weeks, DGS’s staff will be preparing for the warmer seasons by beginning scheduled mowing and ground maintenance across the District, as well as turning on water sources, and adjusting lighting timers. Additionally, beginning in April, DGS will be working with all DC government facilities, including DC Public Schools (DCPS), to transfer HVAC systems from heating to air conditioning.  

“The team at the Department of General Services puts in the work every single day to ensure our facilities, including schools and parks, are ready for whatever the weather may bring,” said DGS Director Delano Hunter. “Now that we are seeing and hearing the telltale signs of spring – from cherry blossom blooms to the sounds of baseball season in swing – DGS will be switching over our facilities to be ready for all the sunshine and fun that comes with this time of year.” 

District residents are able to report certain maintenance needs through DC311 year-round – such as landscaping, dog park maintenance, playground repairs, indoor pool maintenance, and overflowing recycling cans at Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) playgrounds. During the spring and summer seasons, residents can additionally submit requests for mowing services at over 600 District-owned locations, as well as requests for spray park and outdoor pool maintenance. 

In 2023, the DGS expanded its preventative maintenance efforts to establish a comprehensive schedule for inspecting, testing, and servicing HVAC assets within DCPS facilities. These efforts have reduced the number of emergency requests for HVAC work by nearly 50% in 2023 when compared to the figures of 2021. Additionally, there was a 49% decline in the number of high-priority work order requests during the same period.  
 

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The mission of the Department of General Services is to build, maintain, and sustain the District of Columbia’s real estate portfolio, which includes more than 1000 assets. This work allows the agency to foster economic viability, environmental stewardship, and equity across all eight (8) wards.