(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser broke ground on the Lafayette Recreation Center. The $4.6 million renovation and expansion of Lafayette Recreation Center will fulfill programming needs and offer a more energy efficient space.
“We know how important our neighborhood parks are for our families, and we’re going to keep making the necessary investments that make DC a great place to live and raise a family,” said Mayor Bowser. “The modernized Lafayette Recreation Center will be a special place that recognizes the history of this community and gives our kids a fantastic place to learn and play.”
“I am proud to have secured $4.6 million to renovate and expand this recreation center,” said Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd. “Today’s ground breaking is a huge step in the modernization of this park and recreation center, which will offer a whole host of new opportunities to this community, while becoming more energy efficient.”
The modernization includes the design and construction of a new facility that will contain a multipurpose room, a pantry and kitchen area, classroom for student learning, renovated restrooms, additional storage space and office space for staff. The park will also receive new stormwater upgrades to reduce water runoff and erosion.
The project includes demolishing the existing one-room field house and constructing a larger 3,300 square foot cottage-style facility with additional improvements to the park including a stormwater management plan for the entire five acres of land.
The site of the existing Lafayette Recreation Center was home to a community of free African American DC residents dating back to the 1830s, and the Bowser administration will seek to preserve some of that rich history in the new facility.
The Mayor was joined by Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd, Department of General Services (DGS) Director Keith A. Anderson, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Delano Hunter, and members of the community.
“We can’t wait to see the finished product at this beautiful and historic site,” said DPR Director Delano Hunter. “We look forward to activating the facility to benefit the surrounding community and make Lafayette Recreation Center and Park a location where fun happens.”
Today’s groundbreaking was the culmination of DGS and DPR working closely with the community and DC Office of Historic Preservation (HPO).
“It’s a privilege for DGS to work on the renovations at the Lafayette Recreation Center for two reasons,” said DGS Director Keith A. Anderson. “To have this center effectively serve the community with up-to-date energy and sustainability elements and to preserve the history of those who came before us for future generations.”
Find more information about the Lafayette Recreation Center.