Washington Parks and People has been working in Marvin Gaye Park for a while now. In little over a year as the assistant director at the Riverside Center, I have seen great strides not only in the physical appearance of the park, but in the surrounding community.
There have been millions of dollars spent in three different major areas of the park, a new playground installed, a 24 air compressor and start of a youth bike repair shop, youth and 6D lead bike rides, and over night camping (co sponsored by the Boys and Girls Scouts, 6D and ANC7C), which by the way, was the first camping event ever staged in the park.
As these programs have grown, I have also witness a change in some of the youth that frequent the center and park. I have young men with the skills to do basic bike repair, and witness them working together to fix young siblings bikes, kids and police officers working together to pitch tents, and kids ask for peaches, apples and tomatoes instead of candy and chips...
Every Saturday from 11 to 3 pm, Riverside/MGP has a Farmer's Market, which accepts and EBT/WIC Vouchers. This is our commitment to increasing healthy food options in the Ward. We NEED your support! Although our market is small, we are committed to learning and growing and cannot do this without you.
Our produce is supplied by Red Truck Farms (a woman born and raised in DC.. East of the River) according to seasons and is local produce with a mixure of organic and conventional fruits and veggiesan and our market manager lives in the Watts Branch Community she serves,
We cannot grow without the continued support of the community, so blog, talk and come on out and visit.
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Autumn Saxton-Ross, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Health in Parks
Washington Parks & People
CFC#68830
Riverside Center
One Marvin Gaye Way
(5200 Foote Street, NE)
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 398-PARK
