Neighborhood Notes - Foxhall: December 22, 1999

During these shortest days of the year, people of many religions are full of wonder and anticipation. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the miraculous replenishment of lamp oil; Ramadan, a season of purification through discipline; Kwanzaa, a new tradition of self-enlightenment built on African roots; and Advent, prepares the way for new birth.

Our "Friends of Hardy" are going through their own Advent: first in an annual tradition last week with the lighting of Q Place circle Christmas tree and a sing-along at the Hardy Recreation Center. But they, and particularly all the area's little children, are also waiting with anticipation replacement of their playground equipment!

Earlier this month all the equipment and protective ground cover was removed from both the Tot Lot and Kid's Lot, leaving only barren muddy tracks. But in a few weeks, two separate initiatives will conclude and a third continue to restore everything new: over time and with neighborhood support it will be better than ever. DCDRP will install two "Little Tyke" dinosaurs and two "spring riders" in the tot lot, plus a four-seat swing set and creative climbing apparatus in the kid's lot. "Friends of Hardy" will use their $3,000 from "Make a Wish" fund to have another piece of equipment installed for toddlers, and then continue on with fund-raising to complete a tot lot master plan drawn up with Vicki Crooke by Arbor Associates playground suppliers.

Meantime, next door at Rock Creek International School they already have fenced in a play area and filled it with wood chips, just awaiting equipment delivery for installation in the first week of the New Year. Together with DCDRP's commitment next year to refurbish the soccer/softball field and replace rusty chain-link fencing with black vinyl-coated, things are looking up at Hardy.

© Bob Andrew, Foxhall